NY State Aid to Districts

1. NY State Aid to Districts Training Module 8

2. State Aid to Districts SWCD Law • Soil & Water Conservation District Law • SWCDL §11-a State Aid to Districts added in 1976 • Expanded to Subsections A, B, & C in 2006 to advance local conservation projects • SWCDL §11-b Ag NPS Abatement & Control added in 1994

3. State Aid to Districts SWCD Law • SWCD Law §11-a & 11-b • Establishes framework for funding Conservation Districts • Available funding established by State Budget – Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) • State Budget adopted annually

4. State Aid to Districts Goals of State Aid to Districts • Goals of State Aid • Provide Districts the opportunity to receive financial appropriations from the State’s EPF for projects and programs • Use reports to gauge diverse District projects, programs, and training needs • Further technical assistance to landowners from the State

5. State Aid to Districts State Funding Totals

6. State Aid to Districts Section 1 Part A – State Reimbursement Reimbursement of Eligible Expenses Reimburse each District 50% of the amount expended by the District for specific items up to $60,000 Goal to provide technical assistance for conservation practices Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Section 5

7. State Aid to Districts Part A – Eligible Expenditures • What expenses are eligible? • Salary & fringe benefits for District Manager & technical staff • Purchase of supplies & equipment for conservation related work • Purpose of supervising or providing technical assistance for the implementation of soil & water conservation practices

8. State Aid to Districts Part A – Eligible Expenditures • Eligible Expense Categories • (.13, .14) Management & Technician(s) • (.23, .24) Motor Vehicle & Field Equipment • (.412) Purchase of Maps • (.413) Purchase of Flags & Stakes • (.416) Miscellaneous Supplies for Use in Conservation Practices • (.431) Travel/Training Expenses • (.422) Cell Phone • (.451, .452, .453, .454, .455, .456) Insurance • (.460) Other Eligible for Reimbursement • (.461) Repairs to Equipment (Field Equipment) • (.463) Gas and Oil for Machinery • (.464) Small Tools

9. State Aid to Districts Part A – Ineligible Expenditures NOT ELIGIBLE

10. State Aid to Districts Section 2 Part B – Conservation Project Section 1 Conservation Project Financial Assistance Districts shall be eligible, within amounts available, for up to $6,000 annually for a conservation project Goal is to implement local conservation projects 2006-2016 Districts completed 585 projects Section 3 Section 4 Section 5

11. State Aid to Districts Part B – Project Eligibility List • Conserve, restore, and enhance the soil and water resources of the state • Assist in the implementation of agricultural best management practices • Prevent and reduce agricultural and non-Ag NPS water pollution • Assist in the control of floods and mitigate flood damage • Protect and restore streams and wetlands • Protect and restore wildlife and aquatic habitat • Assist in the drainage of agricultural lands • Prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs • Control stormwater run-off, including from construction sites • Assist in maintaining the navigability of rivers and harbors • Reduce agriculturally-generated air pollution • Assist the agricultural production of green energy • Protect open spaces • Collect and dispose of pesticides • Manage public lands • Protect and manage rural and urban forests

12. State Aid to Districts Part B – Conservation Project • Conservation Project Guidance • Projects are reviewed prior to award • Changes must be pre-approved • Project must have a tangible outcome • Project needs a reportable metric (measurable result, quantifiable output of work, measure of performance)

13. State Aid to Districts Part B – Conservation Project • Expenditure Guidance Part B • No motorized vehicle purchases • Equipment purchases must have direct relevance & result in appreciable delivery within project yr • Capital Improvements to District Property are discouraged & must be pre-approved • Pass thru expenses are not eligible (dues, donations) • Workshops are eligible as aligned with categories • Training for District staff is not eligible • Envirothon expenses are noteligible

14. State Aid to Districts Section 3 Part C – Performance Measures Section 1 Performance Measures Financial Assistance Project and/or Activity Districts shall be eligible annually on a competitive basis, within available funding, for financial assistance for carrying out conservation projects/activities Goal to advance local conservation based on District performance Section 2 Section 4 Section 5

15. State Aid to Districts Part C – Performance Measures • Performance Measure Guidance • Competitive Eligibility based on meeting or exceeding Performance Standards • Districts must operate in accordance with SWCC Policies to be eligible • Performance Measures are mechanism for awarding grant funds for conservation project and/or activity

16. State Aid to Districts Part C – Performance Measures Performance Measures Extent & sufficiency of District Board activity District reporting & outreach activities Ability of the District to use the funding to leverage additional funds from local, federal, & private sources Delivery of state natural resource conservation programs, which shall include the quality of service provided

17. State Aid to Districts Part C – Performance Measures • Funding Distribution for Part C • State Committee establishes percentage of funds allocated to each Performance Measure • Available funds are distributed equally to qualifying districts within each Performance Measure

18. State Aid to Districts Part C – Project Eligibility List • Improvement of water quality • Control & prevention of soil erosion • Prevention of floodwater & sediment damages • Furthering the conservation, development, utilization, & disposal of water • Preserve natural resources • Control & abate NPS water pollution • Assist in the control of floods • Assist in the drainage & irrigation of agricultural lands • Prevent impairment of dams & reservoirs • Assist in maintaining the navigability of rivers & harbors • Preserve wildlife • Protect the tax base • Protect public lands • Protect & promote the health, safety, & general welfare of the people of NYS

19. State Aid to Districts Part C – Conservation Project • Expenditure Guidance Part C • Motor vehicle purchases must be pre-approved • Equipment purchases must have direct relevance & result in appreciable delivery within project yr • Capital Improvements to District Property are discouraged & must be pre-approved • Pass thru expenses are not eligible (dues, donations) • Workshops are eligible as aligned with categories • Training for District staff is not eligible • Envirothon expenses are not eligible

20. State Aid to Districts Section 4 District State Funding Programs Section 1 State Funding Programs for Districts Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement & Control Grant Program (Ag NPS Grant Program) Agricultural Environmental Management Funding Program (AEM Base Funding) Section 2 Section 3 Section 5

21. State Aid to Districts District State Funding Programs • Ag NPS Grants • Competitive grant program exclusive to Conservation Districts • Goal to assist farmers in preventing & reducing nonpoint source water pollution • Grants cost-share approx 75% of project for planning & implementation of BMP systems

22. State Aid to Districts District State Funding Programs • AEM Base Funding • Non-competitive funding for technical assistance exclusive to Districts • Goal to assist farmers to participate in AEM framework

23. State Aid to Districts State Aid to Districts Timeframe

24. State Aid to Districts Section 5 Tools for Districts Section 1 Linking Reports to Opportunities Marketing Publications Part B & C Final Reports & Annual Reports are used to create marketing publications Director Training Program Performance Measure reports analyzed for training needs Section 2 Section 3 Section 4

25. State Aid to Districts Marketing Publications District Success Stories Conservation Project Assistance Report – Part B Projects Highlights District influence & impact in each region Projects/outcomes useful to decision-makers & public Aid in justifying additional funding for Districts

26. State Aid to Districts Marketing Publications District Accomplishments Annual Reports highlight statewide accomplishments and impacts Showcase successful programs to local decision makers, the state, and counterparts around the state Collaborative tool linking Districts with external audiences Synergies & partnerships created/maintained by sharing accomplishments

27. State Aid to Districts Tools for Districts • Director Training Program • Utilizing NASCA & NACD resources for developing Director Training Program • Updating existing training modules to create uniform look & add new content • Training Modules will be added to SWCC website and SharePoint as they are updated/created

28. State Aid to Districts Tools for Districts Training Modules for Directors & District Staff Conservation Districts in New York History of Conservation Districts Partners in Conservation District Director Responsibilities Open Meeting Law (OML) Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Effective Board Meeting State Aid to Districts Ethics Soil and Water Conservation District Law

29. State Aid to Districts Additional Resources