STATE OF NEW YORK
        ________________________________________________________________________
                                          9053
                    IN SENATE
                                      June 15, 2018
                                       ___________
        Introduced  by  Sen.  SERINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
          printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
        AN ACT to authorize the state soil and water conservation  committee  to
          establish  a  Columbia/Dutchess  carbon farming pilot project to study
          the carbon sequestration potential of a range of farming practices  in
          Columbia  and  Dutchess counties; and providing for the repeal of such
          provisions upon expiration thereof
          The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and  Assem-
        bly, do enact as follows:
     1    Section 1. The state soil and water conservation committee, in consul-
     2  tation with the department of environmental conservation and the depart-
     3  ment  of  agriculture  and  markets, shall establish a Columbia/Dutchess
     4  carbon farming pilot project to study the carbon sequestration potential
     5  of a range of farming practices.  The goal of such project shall  be  to
     6  develop best practices recommendations to maximize the carbon sequestra-
     7  tion of farming activities. The project shall, at a minimum, include any
     8  soil  health  practices  already promoted by the state, as well as those
     9  determined by the soil and water conservation districts, the  department
    10  of  environmental  conservation,  and  the department of agriculture and
    11  markets to be practicable and easily replicated.
    12    § 2. The carbon farming pilot project established pursuant to  section
    13  one  of  this  act  shall  be jointly administered by the soil and water
    14  conservation districts in both Columbia and Dutchess counties and  shall
    15  be  limited  to five farms jointly selected pursuant to an open applica-
    16  tion process. Farms applying to participate in such pilot  project  must
    17  be  engaged  in the operation of a commercial farm or orchard.  At least
    18  one participating farm  shall  utilize  the  practice  of  spreading  of
    19  composted  manure followed by planting of cover crops over the composted
    20  manure.
    21    § 3. The soil and water conservation districts of Columbia and  Dutch-
    22  ess  counties  shall conduct baseline soil testing for carbon content at
    23  the beginning of the carbon farming  pilot  project  and  shall  further
    24  conduct  soil  testing  for carbon content and water holding capacity at
    25  intervals of six months for the duration of such pilot  project.    Farm
         EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                              [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                   LBD16061-02-8

        S. 9053                             2
     1  costs  eligible for reimbursement shall, at a minimum, include composted
     2  manure and cover crop seed. Best  efforts  shall  be  made  to  purchase
     3  composted manure from a single vendor or source for the duration of such
     4  pilot project.
     5    §  4.  This  act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
     6  deemed repealed two years after such effective date.