The Skaneateles Lake Watershed Agricultural Program
The City of Syracuse established the Skaneateles Lake Watershed Agricultural Program (SLWAP) in 1994, as an alternative to a costly filtration system required by the 1986 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act. SLWAP is a voluntary program spearheaded by the Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District, and serves portions of Onondaga, Cortland, and Cayuga Counties within the watershed. SLWAP served as a pilot for the Agricultural Environmental Management program (AEM) statewide by producing the Whole Farm Plan.
Our mission To carry out a cost-effective, innovative program for the farming community that upholds the high drinking water quality standards of Skaneateles Lake. Our vision The Skaneateles Lake watershed will be an environmentally sound region, where a viable agricultural industry and others benefiting from the lake work together harmoniously to improve and maintain a high standard of water quality.  |
Environmental Steward of the Year
2004 - Greenfield Farms LLC
2005 - Weeks Farm 2006 - Fesko Farms, Inc. 2008 - Congressman James T. Walsh 2013 - EZ Acres 2014 - John F. Tucker & Sons 2015 - Birdsall Beef Farm 2018 - Ireland Crop Farm 2019 - City of Syracuse SLWAP 
L-R, WAPRC Chair Mike McMahon presents the award to City of Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh
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A Whole Farm Plan is a comprehensive process, dedicated to helping farmers put into operation environmentally sound farming practices to help ensure water quality. This is primarily accomplished through erosion and sediment control Best Management Practices (BMPs) and nutrient management plans to protect more than 150 tributaries entering Skaneateles Lake. Because almost half of the land in the watershed is in agriculture, SLWAP is the primary environmental protection program that allows the city to maintain its filtration waiver, while at the same time, helps farmers to meet the increasing legislative requirements placed on agriculture today.
Based on a five-tier planning and implementation process, a Whole Farm Plan provides farmers with technical and educational assistance to address environmental concerns on their farmland. The plan is tailored to each individual farm and addresses specific watershed concerns. BMPs are planned and implemented according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) standards and specifications. Annual visits complete the Whole Farm Plan in Tier V; it is an opportunity for farmer and planner to review and revise a farm plan and operation. Funding for Tier V was approved in 2001.
Agricultural Environmental Management Process to Whole Farm Planning
1994 – 2004
Over the last 10 years, the SLWAP has identified 60 farms within the Skaneateles Lake Watershed. Of these farms, 54 have voluntarily enrolled in the agricultural program with 44 Whole Farm Plans being completed to date. During the fall of 2003, a formal proposal was developed by a Phase II Task Force, to recommend to the City of Syracuse a continuation proposal for the program. It is expected to be part of the City’s on-going effort to protect the lake and avoid building a costly water filtration plant.
The Skaneateles Lake Watershed Agricultral Program’s ten year anniversary was celebrated with two amazing milestones:
The Skaneateles Lake Watershed Agricultural Program is a cooperative effort between the Soil & Water Conservation Districts and Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations of Onondaga, Cortland and Cayuga counties, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the City of Syracuse, and Skaneateles Lake watershed farmers. Principal funding provided by the City of Syracuse.
Based on a five-tier planning and implementation process, a Whole Farm Plan provides farmers with technical and educational assistance to address environmental concerns on their farmland. The plan is tailored to each individual farm and addresses specific watershed concerns. BMPs are planned and implemented according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) standards and specifications. Annual visits complete the Whole Farm Plan in Tier V; it is an opportunity for farmer and planner to review and revise a farm plan and operation. Funding for Tier V was approved in 2001.
Agricultural Environmental Management Process to Whole Farm Planning
- Tier I – Questionnaire: Determines what potential risks to water exist on the farm. Tier I serves as program enrollment.
- Tier II – Worksheets: Verifies that a water quality-related concern exists on the farm; SLWAP team and farmer work together to fill out worksheets – also, this step points out the good things that are already being done.
- Tier III – Plan Development: Farmer and SLWAP team develop a comprehensive plan.
- Tier IV – Implement the Plan: Install, operate and maintain Best Management Practices.
- Tier V - Plan Revision: Evaluate the Whole Farm Plan; revise and/or repair if necessary.
1994 – 2004
Over the last 10 years, the SLWAP has identified 60 farms within the Skaneateles Lake Watershed. Of these farms, 54 have voluntarily enrolled in the agricultural program with 44 Whole Farm Plans being completed to date. During the fall of 2003, a formal proposal was developed by a Phase II Task Force, to recommend to the City of Syracuse a continuation proposal for the program. It is expected to be part of the City’s on-going effort to protect the lake and avoid building a costly water filtration plant.
The Skaneateles Lake Watershed Agricultral Program’s ten year anniversary was celebrated with two amazing milestones:
- July 1, 2004, the City of Syracuse was granted an indefinite water filtration waiver with no expiration date from the New York State Department of Health. This indefinite waiver would not have been possible if the NYS DOH had doubts about the SLWAP’s high level, cost-effective, water quality protection.
- January 31, 2005, City of Syracuse Mayor Matthew J. Driscoll signed a letter supporting, without interruption, the Phase II Continuation of the Skaneateles Lake Watershed Agricultural Program. Because the basic format of the SLWAP has been so successful, the Task Force recommended keeping the format of the program the same as it has been for the past 10 years.
The Skaneateles Lake Watershed Agricultural Program is a cooperative effort between the Soil & Water Conservation Districts and Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations of Onondaga, Cortland and Cayuga counties, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the City of Syracuse, and Skaneateles Lake watershed farmers. Principal funding provided by the City of Syracuse.