Charge and Tasks

Strategy Development Advisory Group

Objective

To provide recommendations to the NYSDEC on development of the New York tributary strategy in concert with Governor Pataki's agreement to work cooperatively to reduce nutrient and sediment as necessary to achieve the goal of a clean Chesapeake Bay by 2010; provide for an inclusive, open and comprehensive public participation process; and, collaborate on the development and use of innovative measures. Additionally, the SDAG should recommend how NYSDEC and local partners can build upon the success of the Watershed Restoration and Protection Action Strategy (WRAPS) for the Susquehanna and Chemung River Basins so that the tributary strategy can be coordinated with and supported by the effort to address local water quality concerns.  

Charge

Assist USC and NYSDEC in soliciting a broad range of representation and focusing local input on issues that advance the strategy development while enhancing and implementing the Watershed Restoration and Protection Action Strategy where appropriate.

Incorporate information and feedback from the Outreach Support Group and Scientific Support Group into its consideration of issues and recommendations to NYSDEC on development of the tributary strategy.

Review approaches to collecting local information on land use, activities and existing management practices and advise NYSDEC and USC on their local acceptability.

Provide information and feedback to the USC and NYSDEC during the initial assessment of the magnitude of increased NPS pollution abatement necessary to meet the Chesapeake Bay Program cap loads.

Provide input on locally acceptable load reduction alternatives from traditional nonpoint sources, including specific conditions applicable to particular BMPs, for NYSDEC consideration for inclusion in the tributary strategy.

Identify reduction measures, projects and practices that would result in local benefits to water or other natural resources, or quality of life

Consider costs of BMPs (specific to area and relative to each other).

Identify possible funding from various levels of government and other public, as well as, private sources.

Provide initial review of draft alternatives and suggest refinements.

Coordinate local review and comment on the NYSDEC draft tributary strategy with the Outreach Support Group.