Lake Plains Resource Conservation and Development

Ontario Lake Plains
Resource Conservation and Development Council
Erie, Genesee, Orleans, Monroe, Niagara and Wayne Counties
446 West Avenue, Albion NY 14411
(716) 589-5320 Ext. 112

1999 ANNUAL REPORT

PRESIDENT: Tom Goodwin
SECRETARY: Patricia LaPoint

PRESIDENT - ELECT (2000): Ronald Sloat
TREASURER: William Tompkins

The Ontario Lake Plains RC&D Area was officially authorized by the Secretary of Agriculture in March of 1998. The new Ontario Lake Plains RC&D office was opened and fully staffed in September of 1998. The Ontario Lake Plains Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. (Lake Plains RC&D) is a local grass roots organization serving a six county area in western New York. The six counties are Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, and Wayne. The member sponsors include the six county Soil and Water Conservation District(s) (SWCD) and six county legislatures/supervisors. A dedicated group of representatives from each county has pursued the development of this Council since 1992. The Lake Plains RC&D Council was incorporated July 12, 1993. The Secretary of Agriculture officially authorized the Ontario Lake Plains Resource Conservation and Development Area in March of 1998.

THE MISSION OF THE ONTARIO LAKE PLAINS RC&D IS TO BRING TOGETHER PEOPLE OF DIVERSE CULTURES AND BACKGROUNDS WHO SHARE A COMMON CONCERN FOR THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE REGION, SO THAT, WORKING TOGETHER, THESE CITIZENS MAY FORM AN EFFECTIVE STRATEGY TO DEVELOP, ENHANCE, AND PRESERVE THESE RESOURCES TO THE BENEFIT OF ALL PRESENT AND FUTURE CITIZENS OF, AND VISITORS TO ERIE, GENESEE, MONROE, NIAGARA, ORLEANS, AND WAYNE COUNTIES.

Introducing the recently established Ontario Lake Plains Resource Conservation and Development Council (Lake Plains RC&D) office, located in Albion, New York. The Lake Plains RC&D area was authorized by the Secretary of Agriculture in March of 1998 and currently includes Erie , Genesee, Orleans, Monroe, Niagara and Wayne Counties. Designation of the area as a Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) area was supported by legislative resolutions of the six counties identified above.

Lake Plains RC&D Council, Inc. was formed for the purpose of increasing the cooperation between the member sponsors and other appropriate individuals, groups, and agencies. The intent of the Lake Plains RC&D Council is to enhance the quality of life for the residents of the area through the identification of problems, determination of common objectives, goals, and strategies.

Ontario Lake Plains RC&D Welcomes Erie County

The Ontario Lake Plains Resource Conservation and Development Council welcomes Erie County to the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) program.

On November 17, 1998 Erie County SWCD submitted resolutions from the District Board and Erie County Legislature requesting membership to the Ontario Lake Plains RC&D. The Ontario Lake Plains RC&D Council voted to approve the request from Erie County and submitted an application for expansion to the State Conservationist in April of 1999. The application was forwarded on to the Secretary of Agriculture (June 1999) for approval. In a letter dated September 16, 1999 to the Ontario Lake Plains RC&D Council from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, it states "I am pleased to inform you that your application for expansion to include Erie County has been approved by Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman." We are very happy that Erie County is now a part of the RC&D Program in Western New York. We are very pleased that Erie County has decided to join our Council's efforts to conserve and develop the natural resources of our region.

Ontario Lake Plains RC&D - Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws

In a letter dated October 1, 1999 to Richard D. Swenson State Conservationist, USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, RC&D Council President Tom Goodwin stated We were very happy to receive the recent news that our request for expansion to include Erie County has been approved. I feel this is an appropriate time to officially notify you that with the expansion of the Ontario Lake Plains RC&D area to include Erie County the Council has made a decision to change the name of the Council to better reflect the geographic are now covered by the Council. We are currently in the process of officially changing the Council name to Lake Plains RC&D, now that the council borders both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Actions currently underway include a revision of the Council By-laws, and a revision to the Articles of Incorporation. We are in the process of updating and amending the Ontario Lake Plains RC&D Council Constitution and By-Laws. At the August 19th RC&D Council meeting we reviewed Draft 1 of the amended Constitution and By-Laws (dated 6-2-99). This draft had been handed out for review at the previous Council meeting in June or mailed to those not at the June meeting. The August 19th review of Draft 1 resulted in additional minor changes to the document. This Final Draft was discussed at the February 23rd RC&D Annual Council Meetings with the intent to make the final recommendations for approval. A motion was made to recommend the approval of the changes to the By-Laws and recommend approval of the By-Laws as amended and to poll the additional members needed to meet the 2/3rds voting requirement, the motion was made by Joanne Ellsworth, and seconded by Esther Leadley. Those present carried the motion.

"Lake Plains Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. Constitution and By-Laws As Amended 3/01/2000".

COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL ACTIVITIES

The Ontario Lake Plains RC&D Council, Inc. held regular meetings during 1999. The Council conducts official meetings six times per year. The meetings are open to the public. The members of the Council represent the following sponsoring organizations: each of the six county legislatures, each of the five county Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), and at-large members from each county. In addition, there are regular ex-officio members representing such groups as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Service, Farm Service Agency, Rural Development, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), USDA Forest Service, various private organizations and groups. A copy of the 1999 officers and membership list is on file in the Albion RC&D office.

At the annual meeting in February of each year the Council elects officers and reports on the previous year's accomplishments. Officers were elected at the Annual Meeting on February 19, 1999. The Officers for 1999: President Tom Goodwin (Monroe County); President-elect Ronald Sloat (1999); Secretary - Patricia LaPoint (Genesee County); Treasurer - William Tompkins (Orleans County).

Name Change -As a result of Erie County joining the Ontario Lake Plains RC&D the Council has made a decision to change the name of the Council to better reflect the geographic area now covered by the Council. We are currently in the process of officially changing the Council name to Lake Plains RC&D, now that our Council borders both lake Erie and Ontario.

MID-ATLANTIC RC&D ASSOCIATION ACTIVIES Mid-Atlantic RC&D Annual Conference September 28-30

Tom Goodwin and Robert Remillard attended. Tom gave an overview of his thoughts on the meeting. He said, "It was good to meet and talk with some of the other RC&D Council members." A copy of the Mid-Atlantic financial report was unavailable at that time. Tom is trying to locate a copy. Robert encouraged other members to attend future Conferences to learn more about RC&D and what other Councils were doing. Tom gave an overview of the business meeting.

The conference was a three day event from September 28th -30th . Many topics were discussed. The event was well attended by members throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. Tom Goodwin- Ontario Lake Plains RC&D President participated in the election of new Officers at the Mid-Atlantic Business meeting on September30th.

Council Activities Administrative Issues

New York Federation of RC&D Councils meeting March 22-23, 1999 in Troy New York. Tom Goodwin and I attended the meeting. A number of speakers including Ron Brach (Executive Director Legislative Commission on Rural Resources), Rick Zimmerman Director of Governmental Relations (NY Farm Bureau), Anita Cartin Executive Vice President (NY Ass. Of Conservation Districts), Melvin Womack Deputy Conservationists NRCS, William Cooke Director of Government Relations (National Audubon Society), Margaret Buhrmaster Director of Regulatory Reform (NYS Department of Health).
Council of Community Services and D & O Liability Insurance - Completed. We reviewed the proposal for Not-for-Profit Organization's Directors and Officers Liability Insurance provided to us in a letter dated November 1, 1999 from Capital Risk Associates, Inc. (copy attached). We accepted the proposal. We paid the premium directly through the Council of Community Services of New York State, Inc., check in the amount of $800.00. Payment was for D&O Liability Insurance Premium and Program Administrative Fee. D&O Liability Insurance effective 11/18/99.
NY FARMS! MEMBERSHIP the purpose of NY FARMSenvisions: A vibrant, profitable, and diverse agriculture and food system that meets the needs of farm families, consumers, and the environment.
Agricultural Committee - The first meeting of the Ontario Lake Plains RC&D Agricultural Committee took place on July 28, 1999 at the Batavia NRCS/SWCD Field Office. The next meeting is planned for October at the Batavia NRCS/SWCD Field Office Conference Room.
- Scope and objectives of the Ag Committee. There was a discussion of the scope and objectives. Greg gave examples of programs he was involved in such as beef marketing and wool pool. Ag Committee could provide Ag education, help promote Ag education, provide public information, write letters to clear up miss information. The Ag Committee is not intended to duplicate efforts already underway by other organization(s). The Ag Committee role would be to work with these other groups, support them where needed, invite them to partner with the RC&D to meet goals and objectives, to pool ideas and knowledge. We should keep informed of what these other organization(s) are doing. A good way to do this is request copies of their newsletter. Need to get Districts and District Directors involved and keep them informed of what's going on. Issues should be presented in writing so we can get comments from SWCD Districts and others. One aspect to keep in mind is that we have a wide variety of growers and producers in our area. The RC&D members have a variety of technical backgrounds and a good handle on issues, we need to utilize this knowledge. Issues we could deal with include AgTourism, CAFO, and Farmland protection, Ag Waste to name a few. We need to do outreach to minority organizations, low-income farmers, and limited resource farmers. In the future the Ag Committee will need to identify a statement of Purpose and/or Mission Statement.
Springdale Farm - Demonstration Farm -Springdale Farm is a demonstration farm open to the public. They host a number of festivals throughout the year and also offer tours to school groups. Last year they had over 40,000 visitors, approximately 10,000 were children grades Pre-K through 2nd grade. Springdale Farm is interested in developing a strategic plan to address the needs of the public while also providing a quality education program focused on agriculture and environmental conservation. Potential activities include: construction of an Education Center with classroom space, improved farm demonstration areas (fields, crops, greenhouse, chicken coop, milking station, field test plots, forestry) improved tours, improved trails. Ontario Lake Plains RC&D has been a very active member of the Springdale Farm Advisory Group. With the assistance of Ontario Lake Plains RC&D Springdale Farm recently received a New York State Urban and Community Forestry Grant in the amount of $7,500.00 for design of the Forestry Demonstration Project, also an AmeriCorps crew of eight people worked at Springdale Farm from June 6th to July 16th.
New York Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative - The Lake Plains RC&D entered into a contract with the NRCS to provide Grazing Land Advocates to make contacts with area farmers to promote grassland farming. In addition to providing two advocates the Ontario Lake Plains RC&D has sponsored three pasture walks. This program is part of the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, to promote the use of grasslands farming through intensive use of pastures for raising livestock.
WESTERN NEW YORK (WNY) "BUY LOCAL" CAMPAIGN - Our mission is to create awareness, support, and understanding of the importance of local farms to our area by local consumers and businesses. We seek to increase the consumption of locally grown farm products to the benefit of everyone in the region. Short term objectives: To develop an easily identifiable logo for placement on local farm and value-added products. 2.) To create an educational package including brochures, posters, and other printed materials that explain the advantages of buying locally produced farm products. This material would be for use by local farm markets, farm stands, grocer, restaurateur, or other marketing enterprises to promote regionally grown products sold at these establishments. Genesee County Cornell Cooperative Extension received a grant of $5,000 from NY Farms for development of educational materials for promotion of local products. We have completed this phase .Long term objectives: 1.) Work toward agri-tourism campaign. 2.) Encourage restaurants to serve local produce. 3.) Additional and continued promotion and education.

Science, Mathematics, Agriculture, and Related Technologies (SMART) Center A proposed regional year round science education center, focused to teach all aspects of science education using agriculture and environment issues as the theme. The SMART Center would be a premier facility that will be designed as an education center for all ages. The proposed location for the SMART Center is the Genesee County Fair Grounds east of Batavia, New York. Martin Culik, Executive Director of CCE is spearheading this effort, and Ontario Lake Plains RC&D is providing help in the planning process.

Watershed Enhancement Projects - The Council is supporting the Village of Lyndonville (Orleans County, New York) in its efforts to develop a restoration plan for the Johnson Pond area. The village is concerned that hazardous substances may have been discharged into the Johnson Creek upstream of the village. The village wishes to remove the accumulated sediments and to make improvements to the area.

Greenhouse Hay Drying Evaluation - Using Solar Energy
Chases' Nursery a family operation has offered to demonstrate how with relatively low cost investments, it can efficiently and profitably dry hay utilizing its greenhouses. Hay drying is done during the nursery's off-season (June 1st to September 15th) when hay production is at its peak. The RC&D Council is assisting by trying to find funding resources. Financial assistance is needed to design and install ventilation systems and conduct evaluations of effectiveness. Regional benefits would be higher quality hay, better return for farmers, and the natural resource benefits due to the incentive to grow hay instead of potential erosive row crops. Special thanks goes out to Selden Chase and Chase's Nursery for their willingness to put the time and effort into this project as well as share this idea with others.

Environmental Education - The RC&D is providing support to local Envirothon efforts by supplying educational resources, and developing test questions and other administrative support.

The Lake Plains RC&D Council, Inc. is an independent 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization directed by local citizens. A 501 (c) (3) is an organization designated by the IRS as a "Charitable Organization"; donations to Organizations with 501 (c) (3) tax status can be tax deductible.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES
The Council continued to operate utilizing membership dues as the sole source of income. Travel reimbursement was afforded the President to attend the Mid-Atlantic RC&D Association meeting. Final balance is approximately $5,851.17 as shown in the Treasurers Report dated

The Council actively pursue grants for project measures in 1999. The Council has operated utilizing membership dues Greenhouse Hay Drying - Using Solar Energy

Chases' Nursery a family operation has offered to demonstrate how with relatively low cost investments, it can efficiently and profitably dry hay utilizing its greenhouses. Hay drying is done during the nursery's off-season (June 1st to September 15th) when hay production is at its peak. The RC&D Council is assisting by trying to find funding resources. Financial assistance is needed to design and install ventilation systems and conduct evaluations of effectiveness. Regional benefits would be higher quality hay, better return for farmers, and the natural resource benefits due to the incentive to grow hay instead of potential erosive row crops. Special thanks goes out to Selden Chase and Chase's Nursery for their willingness to put the time and effort into this project as well as share this idea with others.

Envirothon - The RC&D is providing support to local Envirothon efforts by supplying educational resources, and developing test questions and other administrative support.

Springdale Farm - Demonstration Farm - As a member of the Springdale Farm Advisory Group the RC&D Council is helping to develop a strategic plan to address needs of the public while also providing a quality education program focused on agriculture and environmental education.

Science, Mathematics, Agriculture, and Related Technologies (SMART) Center - A proposed regional year round science education center, focused to teach all aspects of science education using agriculture and environment issues as the theme. The SMART Center would be a premier facility that will be designed as an education center for all ages. The proposed location for the SMART Center is the Genesee County Fair Grounds east of Batavia, New York. Martin Culik, Executive Director of Genesee County CCE is spearheading this effort and Ontario Lake Plains RC&D is providing help in the planning process.

Watershed Enhancement Projects
The Council is supporting the Village of Lyndonville (Orleans County, New York) in its efforts to develop a restoration plan for the Johnson Pond area. The village is concerned that hazardous substances may have been discharged into the Johnson Creek upstream of the village. The village wishes to remove the accumulated sediments and to make improvements to the area. The Council worked on a proposed project with Monroe County to import stormwater management methods. The proposed project Dry Basin Conversion to Wetlands Initiative would convert dry basin stormwater facilities to constructed wetlands to improve sediment control, slow water flow, improve habitat for wildlife, and improve aesthetics. A project was co-sponsored in Monroe County to stabilize stream banks in Linear Park.

Did You Know During 1999, the Ontario Lake Plains RC&D Council assisted or prepared ----- grants

The Beauty of the RC&D Program - Environmental problems do not stop at township, county or state boundaries and that is where the beauty and flexibility of the RC&D program comes into play. The RC&D program was designed to handle multi-county partnerships with private individuals, private companies and public agencies to assemble resources to help correct environmental problems or any other problem where council members feel they can help.

The Ontario Lake Plains RC&D Council looks forward to working together with and supporting member sponsors, groups, agencies, schools, and individuals to enhance the quality of life and environment for residents and visitors to the area.

Your support, participation, and interest in the Ontario Lake Plains RC&D activities would be appreciated. For further information contact Robert Remillard at the address show below or call 716-589-6504 ext. 102.

ONTARIO LAKE PLAINS RC&D
446 WEST AVENUE, ALBION,
NY 14411

RC&D is a program supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (Voice and TTD). To file a complaint write USDA, Director; Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W; Whiten Building; 14th and Independence Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (Voice and TTD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

as the sole source of income. The annual dues are $1,800.00. The Council has only recently begun to pursue grant funding. but provided expertise in preparing proposals and identifying potential proposals in anticipation of the opening of the new RC&D Coordinator's office and hiring of staff.