NOCCOG Hosts OCSWCD Informational Meetings

Kevin Lewis, Executive Director, of the Oneida County Soil & Water Conservation District, notified municipalities in March that due to a reduction in grant funding from state and federal programs, the OCSWCD is examining other options to continue to provide the Community Environmental Management (CEM) program. In recent years, the OCSWCD staff has responded to a growing number of requests for municipal assistance through the CEM program and also offered practical knowledge essential for implementation of local conservation projects. The workload and need for services has increased while the money to fund the CEM program has decreased. Lewis stated in his letter to municipalities that if a reliable source of funding cannot be obtained, the district will not be able to continue to provide the services provided in the past that includes: site visits and consultations regarding natural resource concerns, site plan reviews for proposed development, construction site inspections for stormwater, erosion and sediment control, flood response and mitigation, streambank stabilization and stream maintenance including permit assistance, survey and design of dry hydrants, grant writing for proposed projects, and Hazard Mitigation Plan maintenance.  Local funding for these projects is being proposed by a fee structure outlined in Lewis' letter.

 

NOCCOG, working with OCSWCD, has scheduled informational meetings to give OCSWCD  staff the opportunity to answer questions about the services offered through the CEM program, the proposed fee structure and any questions local officials may have regarding this program. The meetings will be held:

 

            Thursday, May 22 @ 7:00- 8:30 PM at the Lee  Town Hall,  5808 Stokes Lee -Center Road,   Lee Center

 

            Wednesday, May 28 @ 7:00-8:30 PM at the Trenton Municipal Building,  8520 Old Poland Road, Barneveld

 

These meetings will give local officials a great opportunity to ask about the services offered through the CEM program and the proposed changes needed for the CEM program to continue.