§ 11-a. State aid to districts. (1) To aid districts in carrying out the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, providing technical assistance to landowners, the state, within the amount appropriated therefor, shall:

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(a) Reimburse each soil and water conservation district to the extent of fifty percent of the amount expended by the district for the items specified in this paragraph, up to sixty thousand dollars per district in any fiscal year. Reimbursement pursuant to this paragraph shall be limited to expenditures for the employment of conservation field technicians or district managers, and the purchase of supplies and equipment related to these positions, for the purpose of supervising or providing technical assistance for the establishment and implementation of soil and water conservation practices in accordance with programs undertaken by the district. At the end of each calendar year, verified and detailed claims for such reimbursement shall be submitted to the state soil and water conservation committee in such form and manner and containing such information as the state soil and water conservation committee, the commissioner of agriculture and markets and the state comptroller may require. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the soil and water conservation district of New York city shall be considered the equivalent of five districts when reimbursed in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph.

(b) Within amounts available, provide financial assistance to each soil and water conservation district in an amount of up to six thousand dollars, in addition to the reimbursement provided under paragraph (a) of this subdivision, for the purposes of carrying out projects which conserve, restore and enhance the soil and water resources of this state; assist in the implementation of agricultural best management practices; prevent and reduce agricultural and non-agricultural nonpoint-source water pollution; assist in the control of floods and mitigate flood damage; protect and restore streams and wetlands; protect and restore wildlife and aquatic habitat; assist in the drainage of agricultural lands; prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs; control stormwater run-off, including from construction sites; assist in maintaining the navigability of rivers and harbors; reduce agriculturally-generated air pollution; assist the agricultural production of green energy; protect open space; collect and dispose of pesticides; manage public lands; and protect and manage rural and urban forests. For purposes of this paragraph, the soil and water conservation of New York city shall be considered the equivalent of five districts.

(c) Within amounts available, financial assistance to each soil and water conservation district, in addition to the amounts provided under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subdivision shall be distributed equally to districts that qualify pursuant to performance standards to be established by the soil and water conservation committee and the commissioner of the department of agriculture and markets in rules and regulations. Such standards shall include, but not be limited to, (i) demonstrating the extent and sufficiency of district board activity including board operations, financial oversight and training; (ii) district reporting requirements, including annual reports and responding to the state committee, and public outreach and education activities; (iii) the quality of the delivery of state natural resource conservation programs including appropriate certifications, training, timely completion of projects, and compliance with reporting; (iv) the ability of the district to use such funding to leverage additional funds from local, federal and private sources; and (v) the ability to promote partnerships and assist local governments and non-governmental organizations.

(2) Reimbursement and funding pursuant to this section, when approved by the state soil and water conservation committee and the commissioner of agriculture and markets, shall be paid out of the state treasury from funds appropriated and made available for the purposes of this § of the state comptroller on vouchers certified by the state soil and water conservation committee and the commissioner of agriculture and markets in the manner provided by law.

(3) The commissioner of agriculture and markets and the state soil and water conservation committee are each empowered to promulgate such rules and regulations and to prescribe such forms as each shall deem necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section.