N.Y. Soil & Water Conservation Districts Law § 11-a: State aid to districts

§ 11-a. State aid to districts. (1) To aid districts in carrying out

the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, providing

technical assistance to landowners, the state, within the amount

appropriated therefor, shall:

(a) Reimburse each soil and water conservation district to the extent

of fifty percent of the amount expended by the district for the items

specified in this paragraph, up to sixty thousand dollars per district

in any fiscal year. Reimbursement pursuant to this paragraph shall be

limited to expenditures for the employment of conservation field

technicians or district managers, and the purchase of supplies and

equipment related to these positions, for the purpose of supervising or

providing technical assistance for the establishment and implementation

of soil and water conservation practices in accordance with programs

undertaken by the district. At the end of each calendar year, verified

and detailed claims for such reimbursement shall be submitted to the

state soil and water conservation committee in such form and manner and

containing such information as the state soil and water conservation

committee, the commissioner of agriculture and markets and the state

comptroller may require. Notwithstanding any other provision of this

chapter, the soil and water conservation district of New York city shall

be considered the equivalent of five districts when reimbursed in

accordance with the provisions of this paragraph.

(b) Within amounts available, provide financial assistance to each

soil and water conservation district in an amount of up to six thousand

dollars, in addition to the reimbursement provided under paragraph (a)

of this subdivision, for the purposes of carrying out projects which

conserve, restore and enhance the soil and water resources of this

state; assist in the implementation of agricultural best management

practices; prevent and reduce agricultural and non-agricultural

nonpoint-source 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 space; collect and dispose of

pesticides; manage public lands; and protect and manage rural and urban

forests. For purposes of this paragraph, the soil and water conservation

of New York city shall be considered the equivalent of five districts.

(c) Within amounts available, financial assistance to each soil and

water conservation district, in addition to the amounts provided under

paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subdivision shall be distributed equally

to districts that qualify pursuant to performance standards to be

established by the soil and water conservation committee and the

commissioner of the department of agriculture and markets in rules and

regulations. Such standards shall include, but not be limited to, (i)

demonstrating the extent and sufficiency of district board activity

including board operations, financial oversight and training; (ii)

district reporting requirements, including annual reports and responding

to the state committee, and public outreach and education activities;

(iii) the quality of the delivery of state natural resource conservation

programs including appropriate certifications, training, timely

completion of projects, and compliance with reporting; (iv) the ability

of the district to use such funding to leverage additional funds from

local, federal and private sources; and (v) the ability to promote

partnerships and assist local governments and non-governmental

organizations.

(2) Reimbursement and funding pursuant to this section, when approved

by the state soil and water conservation committee and the commissioner

of agriculture and markets, shall be paid out of the state treasury from

funds appropriated and made available for the purposes of this section

upon audit and warrant of the state comptroller on vouchers certified by

the state soil and water conservation committee and the commissioner of

agriculture and markets in the manner provided by law.

(3) The commissioner of agriculture and markets and the state soil and

water conservation committee are each empowered to promulgate such rules

and regulations and to prescribe such forms as each shall deem necessary

to effectuate the purposes of this section.