Project Background:
Located in southern Madison county is a mixed-use beef and crop farm. An un-buffered reach of South Lebanon brook ran through the farm and picked up sediment and pollutants as it passed the pasture and flooded crop fields. The landowner, willing to take some land out of production, went to work with Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District and applied for the USC buffer pilot program, now USC water Quality program, to improve the health of the stream and its ecosystems.
Project Resources:
This program utilized funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Service to provide watering systems, fencing, stream crossings and a grazing plan for the landowner and in exchange, the USC was able to develop nearly an 11 acre buffer preserving over 10,000 feet of streambank. Starting in the fall of 2016 the USC enlisted the help of SUNY Morrisville students to begin planting. The students and USC were able to plant 1.9 acres of shrubs and trees along the left bank of South Lebanon brook and a tributary that feeds in from the North. The following fall the USC buffer team planted an additional 1.6 aces of woody plants along the right bank of South Lebanon brook. In the spring of 2018 the USC teamed up with the Onondaga Earth Corps to plant another 2.6 acres of the stream which buffers not only pasture, but runoff from the adjacent roadway. The remaining 4.6 acres are planned for spring 2019 and will again be planted by the Onondaga Earth Corps.
Improving Buffer Success:
Throughout the years, the USC buffer team has monitored the site for survival seeing on average over 70% survival across the entire area. The buffer team enlisted help from SUNY Oneonta students and the Onondaga Earth Corps in maintenance of the area in order improve the survivability rate. The USC and partners will continue to monitor and maintain the site through its establishment to ensure it remains a functioning buffer. The landowner has already noticed various birds and other wildlife flocking to the area that previously had not resided in the area.
Project Timeline:
- 2016 – Livestock Excluded
- Fall of 2016 planted 1.9 acres by USC Member District Staff
- Fall 2017 planted 1.6 acres by USC buffer team
- Spring 2018 maintained 2.2 acres by Volunteers from SUNY Oneonta
- Spring 2018 planted 2.6 acres by Onondaga Earth Corps
- Spring 2019 planting 4.6 acres by Onondaga Earth Corps
- Summer 2019 maintaining 4.2 acres
- Onondaga Earth corps
Project Details
DATE:
2018 Project Update
FUNDING PARTNER:
New York State DEC’s Trees for Tributaries
Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant
NYS Environmental Protection Fund
PROJECT TYPE:
USC Riparian Buffer Pilot Project funding
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