Honor Conservation District Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 3051 BY: Senator MURPHY COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that the continuing welfare of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched and reliably served by the purposeful endeavors of organizations which are committed to the preservation of our natural environment and the enhancement of the appreciation of the distinctive features of our surroundings, and to the economic well-being of the areas in which they exist; and WHEREAS, It is further the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize that the quality and character of life in the communities across New York State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organizations and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District, and to recognize the important role it plays in its community; and WHEREAS, Established in 1967 under New York State Soil and Water Conservation Districts Law by the then County Board of Supervisors, the Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District is charged with developing and carrying out soil, water and related natural resources conservation, management and educational activities; and WHEREAS, The Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District provides the opportunity for Westchester County to obtain non-County funds for projects and activities that help the County meet its obligations associated with storm water and natural resources management while offering assistance to residents and people working in the County with matters specific to soil and water conservation; and WHEREAS, With a goal to better its community and the surrounding area, the Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District is guided by a seven-member Board of Directors appointed by the County Executive, and professionals from the Westchester County Planning Department carry out the District's work program; and WHEREAS, The Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District has a distinct suburban and urban-oriented work program focused on soil and water resources and ecological conservation and management which helps the County address its obligations under State and federal guidelines, policies and regulations; and WHEREAS, The objectives of the Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District are also tailored to the unique ecological diversity of Westchester County, where the Hudson River, Long Island Sound and Croton River watersheds define its borders and character; and WHEREAS, From its humble beginnings, the Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District continues its partnership with regional, state and federal agencies and organizations, as well as municipalities, to further mutual soil and water conservation and management goals and objectives; District staff also continue to provide both technical services and information to the public, including the preparation of soil group worksheets for agricultural tax reassessments; and WHEREAS, The Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District has grown into a far reaching organization which considers a wide range of concerns, such as restoring streams, floodplains, freshwater and tidal wetlands, and other natural resources to improve water quality and fish and wildlife habitat; retrofitting and installing storm water management practices to improve water quality and control excessive storm water runoff; protecting and managing streams, wetlands, ponds, lakes, reservoirs and floodplains; controlling erosion and sedimentation, and polluted storm water runoff by advocating the use of best management practices through public education and outreach; encouraging and facilitating the development and implementation of soil and water resource conservation practices and strategies based on watershed-wide perspectives and analyses; and promoting sound soil and water resource conservation techniques and natural resource stewardship through public outreach and education; and WHEREAS, Amongst its many accomplishments, the Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District is a long-standing co-sponsor of the Hudson Valley Regional Envirothon, coordinates the annual Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation Awards, and over the years and decades, has funded countless conservation projects throughout Westchester County; and WHEREAS, The success of the Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District is in direct correlation to the efforts of its staff, District Manager Robert Doscher and District Planner Kay Eisenman, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the District and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous leadership of Jan Blaire, Chair of the Board of Directors, and Board members Christopher Arnold, Nicole Collins, Brittany Patane, Sandra Reyes Guerra, Peter Senatore and Terry Singer, the Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District continues to protect its natural surroundings for the benefit of present and future generations of its residents and all New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowledges the Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District and its contributions to environmental conservation throughout the County and State, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy the sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the continuing welfare of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched and reliably served by the purposeful endeavors of organizations who are committed to the preservation of our natural environment and the enhancement of the appreciation of the distinctive features of our surroundings, and to the economic well-being of the areas in which they exist; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Jan Blaire, Chair of the Board of Directors, Westchester County Soil and Water Conservation District.