S.C.I.G. on WBNG TV News, Binghamton - 11/18/10

S.C.I.G. Awarded $93K Grant from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Press Conference:

Thursday, November 18, 2010 – 1:00pm

Sidney Center Fire Hall

County Highway 23, Sidney Center, NY 13839

Sidney Center, NY – The Sidney Center Improvement Group, Inc. (S.C.I.G.) - a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization - will be announcing it’s first substantial grant award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). The $92,996 award will fund water quality monitoring and flood risk mitigation initiatives.

Sidney Center experienced devastating flooding in 2006 – which evoked serious questions and concerns: what caused the flooding, can it happen again, and what were/are the long-term affects of the flooding. As a result of these unanswered questions and the host of existing issues Sidney Center was already experiencing prior to the floods – a group of concerned citizens gathered to assess these issues and how to tackle them. Thus, the Sidney Center Improvement Group was born.

Five years later S.C.I.G. is a flourishing grass roots organization, which has worked to beautify the Hamlet of Sidney Center and improve the overall quality of life. Two major issues, which have been the focus of S.C.I.G., are water quality and flood mitigation. With the announcement of this grant award – these issues are one step closer to being resolved and positively impacting the area in and around Sidney Center in a significant way.

There are a some important facts to note regarding the award granted to S.C.I.G. by NFWF and the initiatives that S.C.I.G. has already been involved with:

•S.C.I.G. was one of only two organizations in NY state to receive funding –and the only organization that is not a governmental entity.

•S.C.I.G. is being provided with an unprecedented 3^rd year of direct assistanc from the National Parks Service – Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program.

•S.C.I.G. has partnered with the Sidney High School Flood Monitoring Program,which is funded by a service-learning grant from State Farm Insurance and includes the assistance of faculty and students involved in the Program.

S.C.I.G. has requested the presence of the following to share in the announcement of this award to the community: Assemblyman Pete Lopez (confirmed), Senator Bonacic, Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, Wink Hastings – National Parks Service, Mat Webber – Izaak Walton League, Rich Townsend – Sidney High School, Town Board of Sidney, Town of Sidney Planning Board, Sidney School Board, Delaware County Planning, Peter Freehafer – DEC, Delaware County Soil & Water District, Environmental Facilities Corporation, Amy Guise – Army Corp. of Engineers, Upper Susquehanna Coalition, Butternut Valley Alliance, and more.

Upper Delaware River - Named 'Most Endangered River in America"

[Source: AmericanRivers.org]
Since 1986, American Rivers has released its America’s Most Endangered Rivers™ report to spotlight the nation’s ten most threatened rivers. Our work in key program areas – river protection, river restoration, clean water, and water supply - benefits people, wildlife, nature and the communities that rely on healthy rivers.

Click Here to Go To Their Website and Read About The Upper Delaware River!

Spring Plant Exchange!

(click on the image to enlarge it so you can see the details clearly)

***Click Here to download a Plant Exchange Form!***

stay tuned...

Next Carr's Creek Watershed Team Meeting -- This Thursday, Jan. 21 @6:30 PM -> Sidney Center Fire Hall

Agenda for this month's meeting:

1) Review of the Watershed Team’s activities and accomplishments in 2009

2) Jeff Lape's reflections of his visit with Sidney Center Improvement Group and other organizations working in the Upper Susquehanna Basin of New York

3) National Fish and Wildlife Service Technical Assistance Grant for the Carr’s Creek Hydrologic/Hydraulic Study

4) Identification of watershed activities for 2010. Possible activities include implementing the water quality monitoring program, increasing collaborative work efforts with Sidney High School, and identifying projects to engage more community members and increase visibility of Sidney Center

5) Status of 2010 funding prospects to support Carr’s Creek watershed activities

6) Status of Gas Leasing activities in the Town of Sidney and surrounding area

Happy New Year! More to come soon...