BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

CANTON — St. Lawrence County is set to receive a significant influx of cash to assist the septic system replacement program that will come from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation.

Legislators approved the grant during a full board meeting on Oct. 3.

According to the resolution, the program was successfully administered in 2018 when the county received $225,000 to repair or replace 40 deficient septic systems.

An additional $340,000 was also made available in 2021 during the second round of the program, officials say.

The new, third round of funding will total $635,000, though some legislators worried what could happen if the funds are not spent in a timely manner.

“What happens if the funds are not totally utilized? Is there a timeframe, how does that work,” Legislator David Forsythe asked.

Officials say the funds will be made available until Dec. 31, 2026, offering ample time to disperse them for projects.

The St. Lawrence County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has previously offered to provide financial assistance for administrative costs associated with program implementation, according to the resolution.

Officials say efforts are underway to identify additional funding sources to support the administration of the grant “noting that it is possible that implementation may be impacted if administrative funding is exhausted.”

A budget modification was also concurrently approved to accept the $635,000.

Any remaining funds will be rolled over to future budgets until the grant is fully expended, officials say.