farms
Watershed Agricultural Program (WAP)

Program Summary

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The Watershed Agricultural Program is a comprehensive effort to develop and implement pollution prevention plans on 85% of the commercial farms in the Catskill and Delaware watersheds. It’s a voluntary partnership between the City and farmers to reduce nonpoint –– indirect –– sources of agricultural pollution, particularly waterborne pathogens, nutrients and sediment. The program incorporates the economic and business needs of each farm into its Whole Farm Plan to fully integrate the principles and goals of pollution prevention into the farm’s operation.

To protect water quality from farm-based pollution, the program tailors Best Management Practices (BMPs) to each specific farm’s circumstances. Most often, traditional BMPs are used that have been proven to protect and enhance source water quality. The program has the flexibility to employ and evaluate innovative BMPs to increase the number of alternatives available to address "non-traditional" agricultural water pollution concerns, especially waterborne pathogens.

Funded by the City, the Program is administered by the not-for-profit Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC), whose board consists of farmers, agri-business representatives and the DEP Commissioner. Since the Program began in 1991, the City and WAC have been able to leverage generous financial support from other sources, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Administration and the Army Corps of Engineers. Local, State, and federal agricultural assistance agencies provide planning, technical, educational, engineering, scientific and administrative support as WAC subcontractors.

Program Accomplishments

WAP has approved Whole Farm Plans on 240 (92.6%) of the 259 commercial farms in the watershed. Since 1992, the program has implemented 2,271 BMPs at a cost of $15.8 million on 210 farms. To date, the City has invested $40 million in the program.

Additional Information

WAP Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Watershed Agricultural Council

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Delaware County Cornell Cooperative Extension

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