295 Million Watershed Climate Project Paused - WAC Maintains Staff Fee Need For Procurement

HAMDEN -  Federal funding awarded to address predicted climate change and its effects on agriculture and water quality in the New York City Watershed is paused. Columbia University's Center for Climate Systems Research and Agricultural Modeling Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AGMIP) is heading the project. In 2023 $2.95 was awarded through the Congressional Community Project Fund secured by Congressman Jarrold Nadler and Senator Chuck Schumer.

Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC), Columbia, and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) officials are collaborating on seeking other funding opportunities to continue the study.

If funded, the study will develop integrated assessments of current and predicted future climate condition impacts on the watershed. Climate conditions include extreme weather event analysis. The analysis will further examine presently used agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) and their potential effectiveness based on the current and future climate. BMPs are structural, vegetative, or managerial practices that reduce water pollution. The main goal is to improve BMPs to maintain water quality and farm productivity as climate conditions change. 

WAC Director Paul Gallay, a Columbia University Office of Research Lecturer, believes funding is expected to be restored soon. "The problem should fix itself," he said, believing funds are connected to a larger funding pause. 

The Trump Administration stripped Columbia University of  $400 million in federal funds on March 7. Federal agencies paused funding due to "the school's continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students." To restore funding the university was asked to meet specific standards to which they agreed in full on March 21.

WAC Director Jennifer Grossman was still unsure if funding for this project would be restored, stating the funds were connected to the USDA and not the $400 million. 

AGMIP officials did not respond by press time regarding where Congressional Community Project Funds were pulled from. Requests for community projects can be made to several federal agencies. 

In another discussion, WAC directors unanimously voted to uphold their previous procurement policy request response following an appeal by Colm Ryan, of Hobart. 

Ryan requested WAC to produce several contracts between WAC and DEP and the recent best management practices (BMP) bid package. The request was approved by WAC directors pending payment of $9.51. Payment will reimburse staff time required to produce requested materials which has been calculated at about 15 minutes. 

Ryan appealed the approval stating WAC effectively denied the request as it is contingent on payment. Directors upheld the need for payment in considering the appeal. They will resend the original approval with no additions or adjustments. 

WAC Director Karl Gockel said the group did agree to the request it was not denied. "I am comfortable we met our standard for providing information," he concluded.

WAC Director James Darling echoed Gockel.

Grossman agreed, believing the request was not rejected. Grossman noted Ryan could file an article 78 but that it would go nowhere is a waste of judicial time. "The court is going to get angry with him on that one," she said.

Directors entered an executive session to discuss recruiting updates and various executive director report updates.

The next WAC Directors meeting is scheduled Tuesday, April 22 at 10 a.m.