Timber Harvesting Law Grant Award

Governor George E. Pataki and Secretary of State Randy Daniels recently announced $13,000 in matching grants to institute a model timber harvesting law in the southern half of the watershed along with neighboring Honeoye Lake watershed. 

There have been documented cases within both watersheds where improper timber harvesting operations either caused or could have caused sediment pollution.  State and National studies also demonstrate that timber harvesting activities that do not implement proper erosion and sediment control measures can impair water quality. Major trout spawning streams flow through many of the towns thus increasing the need to properly manage the regions forests.  Three of these communities are also in the Honeoye watershed.  The Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council will work cooperatively with the Honeoye Watershed communities that also include Richmond and Canadice to develop a uniform law throughout these two watersheds.  Regional regulatory uniformity will make it easier for timber harvesters to implement proper management practices by following the same law and allow for more effective and efficient training workshops for landowners, timber harvesters and code enforcement officers.

Key tasks of this part of the grant will be to develop the actual law to include undertaking the necessary review to under SEQR and to promote the law through public meetings, and training workshops for landowners, timber harvesters and code enforcement officers.  Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District staff and the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Program Manager will work with a forestry consultant to develop the necessary technical information to design the appropriate training sessions.  The New York State Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality- BMP Field Guide will be used as a major resource in the development of the law and training workshops.  

Questions about the grant award can be directed to the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Program Manager.

© Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council 2002

This Page Last Updates On: July 10, 2006