Best Management Practices
NYC Watershed Agricultural Council Increases BMP Payouts
By Erin Kessler
Loggers operating within the New York City watershed are eligible for financial and technical support for implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs). This year, the NYC Watershed Council (WAC) made significant increases in cost-sharing payouts after re-evaluating actual out-of-pocket costs for loggers. The rate increases were based on RSMeans Data, a cost-estimating tool used in construction.
“We wanted to make sure we were paying enough money to make it worthwhile for loggers,” says Heather Hilson, WAC’s forestry program outreach specialist. “For example, we compared installing a water bar to bulldozer work in construction.” Hilson adds that waterbar cost share rates went up nearly 40%. WAC pays $40 per waterbar to uncertified loggers and almost $55 to loggers who have New York’s Training Logger Certification (TLC).
“Gravel costs went way up because we realized it’s not just the cost of the gravel, it’s the work to install it on a landing and move it around. There’s machine hours involved in that, too. We pay for skid-trail re-grading, we pay for skid trails to be re-laid out, even if they are existing, hay and seed on the landing when [loggers] get done, and corduroys if needed,” says Hilson.
The BMP Program provides money, materials and technical support to help loggers plan and apply water quality BMPs in the New York City watershed, protecting drinking water for 9 million New Yorkers. There are 2 watersheds that comprise the NYC Watershed: the Catskill/Delaware Watershed and the Croton Watershed. WAC programs are available in both areas, although much less timber harvesting happens in the Croton Watershed. The Catskill/Delaware Watershed Region comprises approximately 1600 square miles, 75% of which is forested. 85% of this forested land is privately owned – the target audience for the BMP Program (and others).
Applications for active logging jobs are reviewed and approved on a continual basis throughout the year. Payment is made for approved BMPs that are implemented in accordance with the New York State Forestry Voluntary BMPs for Water Quality Guidelines.
Examples of funded BMPs include: skid trail relocation and re-grading, skidder bridges, corduroy, water bars, gravel, and culverts.
NYC Watershed Agricultural Council’s funded accomplishments since 1999:
- 201 stream crossings
- 709 landings
- 1,180 miles of skid trail regraded
- 48,549 water bars
- 737 rolling dips
- 858 harvests worked on across over 1,400 tax parcels
For more information:
www.nycwatershed.org/bmp-program
Further resources:
More Info on Catskill/Delaware Watershed Region
For questions about the program or need assistance with completing the application form, contact the Forestry Program at (607) 865-7790 or email forestry@nycwatershed.org