A portion of $1.5 million in federal funding will be used to improve water quality, soil health, and resolve habitat issues in and around the St. Lawrence River, according to senators Charles Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand.

The new USDA program will give resources to farmers, non-industrial forest land owners and producers for conservation planning and education. The main goal is to reduce sediment and bacterial loading into surface waters and recover habitat within selected areas, according to the senators.

“The … St. Lawrence River … [is] critical resources for citizens, farmers and landowners throughout the Adirondack region and the tourists who come from all over the state and country to visit the Adirondacks. These federal funds will go a long way toward ensuring conservation efforts are effective and prepared to handle whatever is on the horizon,” Schumer said.

“The … St. Lawrence River … [is a] natural resource and key economic anchors in upstate New York,” said Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.