Requires additional 10% matching grant funding of agricultural environmental programs implemented in watersheds deemed, by the commissioner of environmental conservation, to be critical to recreational fishing.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
1816
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 13, 2017
___________
Introduced by M. of A. HAWLEY, KOLB, CROUCH, OAKS, FINCH, PALMESANO --
Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BARCLAY, GIGLIO, GOODELL, McLAUGHLIN,
THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to funding
of agricultural environmental management programs implemented in
watersheds deemed critical to recreational fishing
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 151 of the agriculture and markets law, as amended
2 by chapter 375 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
3 § 151. Agricultural environmental management program. There is hereby
4 established within the department an agricultural environmental manage-
5 ment program to assist farmers in maintaining the economic viability of
6 their farm operations while addressing environmental impacts from those
7 operations, including, but not limited to, soil, air and water pollution
8 and greenhouse gas emissions. The program may also include assistance to
9 farmers for the development of agriculturally-derived renewable energy
10 sources. The program may consist of planner certification to qualify
11 persons to prepare AEM plans; technical assistance to farmers partic-
12 ipating in the program; financial assistance, within funds available, to
13 soil and water conservation districts and farmers to prepare and imple-
14 ment plans provided that for plans implemented in watersheds deemed
15 critical to recreational fishing, as determined by the commissioner of
16 environmental conservation, shall receive not less than ten percent
17 additional financial assistance when such assistance is distributed
18 through a matching grant program; other incentives for program partic-
19 ipation; and evaluation of program procedures and projects to assess
20 effectiveness.
21 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02311-01-7
