Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Selecting a site NRCS cannot help with Ponds in New York..??

We'll I contacted the NRCS about the possible pond in the property I am considering. I will try to take pictures. The area is awesome and it looks perfect for a huge bass pond/mini-bass lake. Huge Pine Trees, a cabin that is close to the existing small pond...

Here's there response.

Mr. Ringler,

NRCS does not have any programs for pond building. It has been many years since we were engaged in assisting with ponds except where they are associated with livestock watering facilities. This is mainly because of limited staffing and our priorities shifting to water quality issues.

What I can tell you is that NY State DEC does require a permit under certain conditions for building a pond. Larger ponds (over 1/4 acre), ponds with a dike over a certain height or ponds built in a natural water coarse require a permit. Also a erosion & sediment control plan may be required if disturbing over 1 acre of land. If the pond is in a classified NY wetland a Wetland Permit is required.

NRCS does have a nice pond construction book that you can borrow, it is a full color booklet that is now out of print. I am not sure if this booklet is available from the NRCS Website but there may be other information at this site:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

Justin refer this post
http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=002666

It might help. Don't give up. My local NRCS first vist two years ago gave me the same story. We only build stock ponds. I had seen a large 5+ acre lake built near me. One day I saw the owner by this new lake. I pulled in and ask him who his contractor was and explained to him I was wanting to build similar size pond. I just finished my project this week and ended up using the same contrator. When I ask the owner how much the contractor charged him he replied "I don't know the NRCS came to me and said they wanted to build a pond because of the erosion, They paid for all of it". There was already a smaller pond in that location and a 5 acre pond above. About 6 months went by and I noticed another 4 acre pond built near my home place. I met the owner and he told me the same that the NRCS came to him and ask if they could build a pond in his draw for the same reason erosion control. They paid for all of it. This made me angree and I called the NRCS again and the fellow on the phone began to give me the same spill. I then confronted him that was BS because two ponds in my area had been built by them and were not cattle ponds. He began to back paddle and said well you have to come in november and sign up because we are out of budget for this year. When I began to interview contractors they both ask me if I had contacted the NRCS to help fund my project and design the spillway and figure the yardage. I told them what I had been told and they both replied to me " they tell everyone that, you need to contact john dowe he is the supperviser he knows what is going on and he will work with you. He did. Keep at them there are many programs you may qualify other than agriculture. Good luck

Thanks for your help, rockytopper.

Justin, New York NRCS may have different policies that those in Texas. Different states can have significantly different programs.

Actually NRCS assistance can vary from county to county depending on the primary use of the land. The amount of effort also seems to very immensely from county to county. Here in Benton county, Missouri they will pay 75% but not more than $6500. On pond construction they will help pay on everything except removing the brush. Once the pond is complete the contractor does a cross section of the dam (NRCS is to busy to do it). The county next to us (farm country) will not pay on ponds but will still come out and design one, and upon completion will come back and cross section it to insure it was built to the proper grades.

The quality of service all depends on the people in the office. If you really want to make waves call the regional NRCS office in your area and complain about the local office. You won't believe the level of cooperation you will get.