Programs and Services

Agricultural Environmental Management

AEM is a voluntary program that helps farmers make cost-effective decisions to improve efficiency and increase productivity while protecting and conserving our natural resources. The District helps ag producers develop comprehensive farm plans that identify resource concerns and potential grant projects.

A Tier 1 questionnaire is the first step. To get started, Click here.  Send your completed Tier 1 to the District office: 25451 State Route 12, Watertown, NY 13601.

Agricultural Non-Point Source Grant Program

The District works with landowners to prepare grant proposals. If awarded, NYS Ag and Markets funds the project on a cost-share basis. All projects are geared toward protecting Jefferson County’s natural resources. Past projects include:

• Silage leachate control
• Access roads
• Waste storage
• Cover crops
• Barnyard runoff management
• Bedded Packs
• Stream Crossings
• Covered Barnyards
• HUA management
• Pasture Management

Soil Group Worksheets

If your town assessor recommends a soil group worksheet, contact our office. Once completed, the worksheet will be used in preparation of your agricultural assessment. Check with your local assessor to find out the deadline for the application (usually March 1st).

• Reduce taxes
• One-time preparation fee per parcel*

*unless there is a change in your parcel

Water Quality Coordinating Committee

With a round-table format agencies, practitioners, and engaged citizens meet quarterly at our office to discuss local water quality concerns, projects, and grant opportunities.

The committee’s mission is to assist and coordinate organizations and agencies to protect and improve the quality of both surface and groundwater for their intended uses, with emphasis on water-related issues, primarily the reduction of non-point source pollution.

Watershed Planning

Watershed and lake management plans identify data gaps, water quality risks, existing conditions, and suggest suitable best management practices (BMPs), oftentimes highlighting areas of critical need. Areas with existing watershed management plans often rank higher when submitting grant applications as the reviewers can see a documented need for the project.

There are a variety of existing watershed plans covering portions of Jefferson County, including the Great Lakes Action Agenda, St. Lawrence River Watershed Revitalization Plan, the Black River 9 Element (9E) Plan, and several local Lake Management Plans.

Grant applications awarding bonus points to projects supporting state-approved management plans have become increasingly common in recent years. As such, Jefferson County SWCD has begun work developing, updating, and supporting local watershed plans.

Recent work includes:

• Creation of a Waterfront Homeowner’s Guidebook
• Development of the Sandy Creeks 9E
• Involvement in the Black River Adaptive Management (BRAM) project
• Assisting in filling data gaps identified in the Hyde Lake Management Plan

Well Testing

The district is no longer able to provide well-testing services. Please visit the NYS Health Department’s Website for information on recommended water testing frequency. Certified testing laboratories can be found here – https://apps.health.ny.gov/pubdoh/applinks/wc/elappublicweb/. Check “I am not a robot” at the top of the webpage, enter your state and county, then hit “view results.”

Managing 5500 acres of County forest:

• Provide routine maintenance
• Lot signage
• Timber marking/sales management
• Property lines
• Monitor usage

 Why is this important?

• Protect open space (undeveloped land)
• Promote wildlife
• Protect watersheds
• Provide recreational areas
• Ensure a local supply of timber

Jefferson County Stormwater Coalition

Jefferson County SWCD coordinates the Jefferson Co. Stormwater Coalition a group of 9 municipalities regulated by NYS DEC’s Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System (MS4) permit. These municipalities work together to reduce stormwater and potential stormwater pollutants in their communities. For more information, or to learn public meeting dates, please visit the coalition’s website.

4-Hour Erosion & Sediment Control Training

Under the NYS DEC’s Stormwater Permit GP-0-25-001, all developers, contractors and subcontractors must identify at least one trained contractor from their company that will be responsible for implementation of the SWPPP, and have at least one trained contractor on site on a daily basis when soil disturbance activities are being performed. Also, developers must have a qualified inspector conduct regular site inspections in accordance with GP-0-10-001.*Qualified inspectors and trained contractors must have 4 hours of training in the principles and practices of erosion and sediment control endorsed by NYS DEC, SWCD, or CPESC, Inc. Training is good for three (3) years. Training is not required for CPESC, LA, and PE certified persons. Upon completion of the course, each participant will receive a NYS DEC Stormwater Training Number on a certificate and wallet card good for 3 years. This training does not allow contractors to conduct their own Qualified Weekly Inspections.

The District offers the training each spring.  Training certificates are valid for three (3) years.

Culvert Sizing and Green Infrastructure Grant Assistance

The district offers culvert sizing and green infrastructure design assistance to municipalities throughout the county. Please reach out for details if your municipality is interested in these services.

SW CARES

Storm Water – Carbon Awareness – Reforestation – Education for Students

SW CARES is a 4th-grade in-school program where Soil and Water staff review science terminology they’ve already learned (such as photosynthesis, erosion, and the water cycle) before drawing connections to new topics including the carbon cycle, greenhouse gasses,  stormwater, and the importance of trees in absorbing and filtering water.

After an interactive multi-media presentation, students observe a watershed model demonstration showing the collective benefits of best management practices (BMPs), take a guided tour of school grounds to learn about their storm drains, and learn how to properly plant a tree seedling. Students receive free tree seedlings to plant along with educational materials.

SW CARES began in 2022 at Mannsville Elementary and has now expanded to five elementary schools across the South Jeff, Watertown, Carthage, and Brownville school districts.

Rain Barrel Workshop

In 2023 Jefferson County SWCD held its first annual rain barrel workshop. Held annually, this adult education workshop includes a presentation on the benefits and design of rain gardens and rain barrels and a set number of attendees each year receive a free rain barrel.

Location varies, and the event is usually held in the late summer or early fall. Watch our Facebook page for updates!

Macro Invertebrate Workshop

In 2024 Watertown’s SoZo Teen Center contacted our office as students had expressed interest in getting involved with the local environment. This led to the creation of our teen and youth macroinvertebrate workshop. Teens visited a local stream and learned the pros and cons of chemical and biological sampling; getting into the water themselves to collect samples, and using kicknets to survey for macroinvertebrates (aka “bugs”) living along the stream bottom. Students then practiced their identification skills, working as citizen scientists to determine if the species found were pollution-tolerant or intolerant.

This workshop can be scaled up or down for any age level. Please contact our office if you have a group who may be interested.