By Hank Russell
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a Secretarial Disaster Designation for Suffolk County following a request from Governor Kathy Hochul to provide relief to the aquaculture industry.
Prolonged freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and extensive ice formation across coastal waters this February prevented oyster farmers from accessing shellfish growing areas and conducting normal harvesting and farm operations. Ice accumulation across bays and waterways blocked access to vessels and aquaculture sites for extended periods of time and caused damage to aquaculture gear, vessels and farm infrastructure.
A survey conducted by industry partners and local officials estimated that many growers are facing a more than 30% loss in production and those that reported damage to racks, lines, and vessels are facing estimated repair and replacement costs totaling $2,396,500.
The Disaster Designation now allows affected farms in Suffolk County and contiguous Nassau County to apply for disaster assistance and low-interest emergency loans.
As previously reported in Long Island Life & Politics, Governor Kathy Hochul recently requested a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretarial Disaster Designation for Suffolk County. In the meantime, LILP also reported, Hochul awarded $3 million to 14 small businesses to support Long Island’s aquaculture industry through Round 2 of the Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure Grant Program. Funding will help these producers make infrastructure upgrades, streamline operations and increase production.
A USDA disaster designation makes farm operators in primary counties and those contiguous counties eligible to be considered for emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply for relief programs.
“Early last month, I urged the USDA to take swift action to declare Suffolk County a disaster area and help our aquaculture growers get the assistance they need to recover and move forward,” Hochul said. “With this Secretarial Disaster Declaration, the producers who have seen economic loss can now take advantage of low-interest loans to help ensure they’re able to sustain their operations. I have long been committed to helping this important agricultural sector grow and thrive, and the State will continue to support the industry through this hardship.”
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said the damage from the winter storms was “unprecedented.”
“By elevating our concerns to the USDA, our growers will now have access to emergency loans that will offer financial relief to area farmers,” Ball said.
State Senator Monica R. Martinez (D-Brentwood) said, “For most, this winter’s harsh conditions were an inconvenience, but for Long Island’s aquaculture industry, the cold and ice caused significant losses for its operators.”
Assemblymember Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove) said the winter storm “took a toll on all of us. Now, thanks to the initiative of Governor Hochul, Long Island businesses in the aquaculture industry, that sustained significant damage to their operations, will soon have an easier time getting some much-needed financial relief.”
“Long Island’s aquaculture industry is a critical part of both our coastal economy, as well as our local identity,” Assemblymember Michaelle Solages (D-Valley Stream) said. “This industry supports small businesses and working waterfront communities across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. … As climate-related weather events continue to place increasing pressure on coastal industries, we must remain committed to protecting the workers and businesses that sustain Long Island’s maritime economy.”
Assemblymember Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) said the designation “will enable the shellfish aquaculture sector to access emergency loans from the United States Department of Agriculture, to continue operations and move forward.”
Assemblymember Rebecca Kassay (D-Port Jefferson) said, “With its many coastal communities, Long Island’s identity is tied to our aquaculture industry: It is a vital part of our economy, our environment and our heritage. The severe winter weather this past season created enormous challenges for regional shellfish growers and small family-run operations that work year-round to sustain our local industry. … This assistance will help impacted producers recover, rebuild and continue contributing to Suffolk County’s maritime heritage and economy for generations to come.”
“This is great news as those who make their living on the water in Suffolk County are committed to seeing their industries flourish,” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said. “These funds will help our oyster growers recover from a brutal winter that destroyed costly equipment. The shellfishing industry is part of Suffolk County’s history, and we all have to do all we can to keep this important business viable and growing.”
This USDA disaster designation makes farm operators in Suffolk County and Nassau County, as a contiguous county, eligible to be considered for emergency loans from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply for relief programs. Farmers can contact their local FSA office here.
In addition, the DEC encourages the aquaculture industry to continue to submit landing reports to their office to assist with a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Federal Fisheries Disaster Designation evaluation for this weather event. AGM and DEC also continue to meet as part of an interagency workgroup that is following this severe weather event and collecting damage reports.