State Sen. Patty Ritchie’s bill to strengthen soil and water conservation districts such as St. Lawrence County’s has been signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

The bill, S.6615, amends the soil and water conservation districts law to increase the reimbursement cap for districts from $30,000 to $60,000 for performing functions for New York State agencies.

“Last year, our districts helped the Southern Tier recover from severe flooding—and as a result, many of those districts are now strapped for cash,” said Ritchie. “This legislation will give soil and water conservation districts more resources in similar times of need, allow them to conduct stream maintenance to help prevent damage in future floods and better help them to fulfill the statutory and regulatory missions of the districts.

“Our soil and water conservation districts play a vital role when it comes to the agricultural and environmental well-being of our region, as well as the entire state,” Ritchie said.

The last time the reimbursement cap for soil and water conservation districts was increased was in 1996.

Ritchie recently tapped local soil and water conservation districts in St. Lawrence, Oswego, and Jefferson counties to help in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases like EEE and West Nile Virus, recruiting them to administer additional state funding she provided through the state budget for disease-carrying insect control.

Ritchie, a Republican from Heuvelton, represents the 48th Senate District, which includes roughly the western half of St. Lawrence County.