New York Rural Water Association

Articles in this issue by Pat Scalera, CEO, N.Y. Rural Water Association and Steve Winkley, N.Y. Rural Water Association Groundwater Specialist do a very good job in articulating drought planning, water rate structures and drought response plans.As you know, many areas of New York State are already, or will be, impacted by drought conditions. I have initiated dialogue with my USDA - Rural Development - RUS National Office to develop a strategy to assist rural New York State communities in "emergency" or "pending emergency" drinking water situations. USDA - Rural Development – RUS will consider for priority funding, applications that address emergency and long-term solutions to drought related water system improvements. Typical projects for consideration may include: interconnections to neighboring communities, water well rehabilitation and/or development, and distribution system leak repairs, to name just a few examples. Note that the application process will remain unchanged. The RUS National Office will consider these applications for funding from a reserve that will supplement the NYS original Fiscal Year 2002 allocation.Please know that we at USDA – Rural Development – RUS are committed to working on your behalf in representing these applications to our National Office. I will work closely with your N.Y. Rural Water Association in selecting the most needy projects and developing solid applications. We at USDA - Rural Development – RUS look forward to assisting your community during this drought period.

As always, you may contact me directly at 315-477-6427 or e-mail me at: david.miller@ny.usda.gov.