Genesee RiverWatch
Improving Water Quality – Sediment and Phosphorus Reduction
Genesee RiverWatch is presenting its annual Genesee River Basin Summit on May 10th, 2023. The topic of this year’s summit is Improving Water Quality – Sediment and Phosphorus Reduction
Date: May 10, 2023
Time: 8:00 am to 4:45 pm
Location: Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Student Development Center
Pre-Registration is required: There is no fee to attend. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Summit Objective: The objective of this day-long summit is to solicit feedback on a Genesee RiverWatch proposal to improve water quality in the Genesee River Basin through sediment and phosphorus reduction. The Summit will start with a review of current basin-wide programs, hear an update on NYS State policy responses to emerging issues such as climate change, and review current sediment and phosphorus load reduction programs and activities.
| Time | Topic | Presentation | Presenter |
| 8:00 to 8:30 | Sign-In | Continental Breakfast | VISIT EXHIBITS |
| 8:30 to 8:45 (15 min) | Welcome & Overview | Welcome & Overview | 1. Board Member – Genesee RiverWatch |
| 8:45 to 10:15 (90 min) | How focus on the Basin got started | 1. Great Lakes Action Agenda – Development and plans moving forward, relation to Nine Element Plan 2. 2013 Basin Study – Water quality data, sources, and conclusions/recommendations 3. Formation of Genesee RiverWatch – How it started | 1. Shannon Dougherty – NYS Department of Environmental Conservation 2. Amanda Matkosky – Genesee RiverWatch 3. Mike Haugh – Genesee RiverWatch |
| 10:15 to 10:45 | BREAK | Coffee Refresh | VISIT EXHIBITS |
| 10:45 to 12:15 (90 min) | Emerging Issues | 1. NYS Environmental Bond Act – Water Quality Improvement & Resilient Infrastructure 2. Climate Action – NYS Climate Action Plan | 1. James Tierney – NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Deputy Commissioner, Water Resources 2. Brian Steinmuller – NYS Agriculture and Markets |
| 12:15 to 12:45 | LUNCH | Provided | VISIT EXHIBITS |
| 12:45 to 1:15 | Awards | Presentation to 2022 Elizabeth Thorndike Environmental Leadership Award Winners | |
| 1:15 to 2:45 (90 min) | Sediment and Phosphorus Load Reduction | 1. Farmland Soil Erosion – Best Management Practices 2. Dairy Industry – Sustainable Practices 3. Wastewater Treatment Plants – Overview 4. Streambank Erosion – Project examples | 1. Bob Stryker – Livingston County S&WCD 2. Brad Schwab – Agricultural Consulting Services 3. Pete Lent – Genesee RiverWatch 4. Scott Fonte – Agricultural Engineering Services |
| 2:45 to 3:00 | Break | Cookies & Beverage Provided | Visit Exhibits |
| 3:00 to 4:30 (90 min) | What needs to be done | 1. Proposal to measurably reduce the impact of erosion, agricultural operations, wastewater treatment plants, and dairy operations on sediment and phosphorus loads to the River, stream monitoring, carbon neutrality, and adaptive management 2. Panel Discussion – Q&A, comments, suggestions | 1. George Thomas and Mike Haugh – Genesee RiverWatch 2. Panel – Speakers and Invited Guests |
| 4:30-4:45 | Wrap-up | Next Steps | Genesee RiverWatch |