January 31, 2025

DEP funds to pay for design of new Watershed Agricultural Council headquarters and fund 80 full-time staff; offer stable and uninterrupted funding to the organization

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The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced a new $228 million commitment to farm and forest landowners in the watershed region to protect water quality while supporting the economic viability of agriculture and forestry in the area. Since 1992, DEP has previously committed $400 million in its partnership with the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC), a local not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, to ensure watershed protection from farm and forest runoff within the New York City Watershed.

To ensure continued water quality protection, and economic support to farm and forest owners, DEP and WAC have signed three new contracts valued up to $228 million over the next 10 years.

The new contracts will help ensure the use of best management practices—such as nutrient management plans, manure storage, and cover crops—and preservation of farms and forests from development through WAC-purchased conservation easements.

“This new investment epitomizes DEP’s long-term commitment to advancing our shared interests with our watershed community partners—protecting water quality while helping local industry thrive in an evolving market,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “As an avid fan of Pure Catskills products, I am excited to see more over the next decade, and DEP is pleased to be part of the progress and successes the agricultural community in the Catskills and other parts of the watershed has been able to make.”

Up to $35 million will go directly for farming best management practices; $6 million will be used for forestry initiatives, such as the installation of erosion control measures and stream crossings for active logging projects; and $3.8 million will be used for economic viability initiatives such as the Pure Catskills branding campaign and Economic Viability Micro Grants Program—grants available to support watershed producers with marketing, training, staffing and expansion of fruit and vegetable production. Another $7 million will go toward a new three-year conservation easement contract to help WAC to acquire new farm and forest conservation easements.

A new operating contract between DEP and WAC will provide stable and uninterrupted funding to the organization, including funding for preliminary design for a potential new consolidated WAC headquarters located in Hamden, NY.

The new contracts will continue to fully fund over 80 full-time staff as well as all expenses WAC needs to administer its program contracts with DEP.

WAC will continue its long-term Watershed Agricultural Program partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County, Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District and the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.

WAC Executive Director Ryan Naatz said, “While these agreements mark a renewed partnership between the Watershed Agricultural Council and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, they more importantly demonstrate a commitment to upstate farm and forest landowners and ultimately, City water consumers. WAC is proud to work hand and hand with DEP to deliver world-class economic incentives and water quality protection programs.”

WAC Board Chair Wayland “Bud” Gladstone said, “This 10-year contract solidifies the commitment and trust DEP has in our ability to protect farms, forests, the economic viability of the region, and land conservation as we continue to provide clean drinking water for NYC residents. As a member of the watershed farming community, I am thankful to have WAC’s continued support of farmers and programming that implements these critical Best Management Practices.”