June 20, 2007

Old Reports: Harding Report (1945)  and Subdivision Design

Saying that the time has come for action not words, County Executive Andy Spano today announced an initiative for a five-year capital plan for flood mitigation projects proposed by local municipalities.

Spano said his Flood Action Plan would be similar to the county’s successful Legacy Program for Open Space acquisition and that he looked forward to working with the Board of Legislators to provide up to $10 million per year over the next five years. The county funding is intended to leverage additional funds that will be needed for major projects. As part of the partnership, municipalities would be asked to undertake a range of actions designed to combat flooding. These may include changes to their local ordinances and building codes as well as providing assistance with the mapping of stormwater conveyance systems or other infrastructure in their communities.

A special section of the county's website is now devoted to flood issues, and includes documents from the Summit.

Spano stressed that the issue of flooding affects the entire county, not just one area. “Hurricane Floyd a few years ago devastated our northern county; the recent Nor’easter devastated the Sound Shore area. This is a countywide problem.”

He added, “We cannot solve these problems overnight. But the time has come for all local governments to work together to address the recurring and serious flooding problems that devastate our communities.  We must act now or things could get worse in the future as we feel more and more the impact of global warming.”

Rep. Nita Lowey, who has been one of the leading voices in the need for action at all levels of government, also emphasized the need for a joint effort for solutions.
“The flooding that ravaged our communities in recent months has had devastating effects on families and businesses,” Lowey said.  “In the aftermath of the storms, our community has pulled together, and I commend County Executive Spano for putting together this event to focus on our continued efforts.  I am pleased to have secured millions of dollars to help prevent future flooding and look forward to working with everyone involved in this summit to protect our communities for generations to come.”

Spano made his announcement at the county’s Flood Summit at the County Center, attended by local government officials from throughout Westchester. “This summit is day one of an action agenda that can only succeed if we all agree to work together,” said  Spano. “The participation of every individual and agency gathered here today is essential to carry out this Herculean task.”

(In a related development, Spano also announced that the county was just notified of a $600,000 grant from the New York State Affordable Housing Corp. which can provide relief to income-eligible flood victims in owner-occupied housing of one to four units. )

Along with the monetary commitment, Spano announced creation of the Flood Action Plan Task Force consisting of professionals with expertise and years of experience in matters related to land use, development and flooding issues.

The members include four former county commissioners: Peter Eschweiler, planning; Charles Pound, parks; Frank Bohlander, public works; and Anthony Landi, environmental facilities. Other members are  Legislator Judy Myers who represents parts of the Sound Shore, Mamaroneck Town Supervisor Valerie Moore O’Keefe and Rye City Mayor Steven Otis.

Among the tasks that will be given to these experts is to assist in the development of criteria to qualify for the flood mitigation money and to help set priorities for the use of the money. The proposed funding would go to municipalities which could also generate a funding match from other government agencies for projects designed to reduce damage resulting from flooding.

The task force will also give its perspective on recommendations by the Army Corps of Engineers and others on flood projects. 
Spano noted that over the years various government reports have advocated actions to reduce or prevent flooding, but these generally were ignored by local governments.

For example: The 1945 Harding Report identified up to $10 million dollars worth of storm management projects for municipalities to implement - most or all of which were never done.  Approximately $3.5 million of this amount was for the construction of a 17,000 foot long tunnel to divert flood flows from the Bronx River into the Hudson River just north of the Yonkers train station.  Recommendations in other reports included the 
construction of giant levees or flood walls in the Rye and Mamaroneck areas to contain flood waters. These also were never done.

THE SUMMIT

The summit, organized by the county’s departments of Planning and Public Works, brought together  local officials (supervisors, mayors, planners, engineers) as well as residents serving on local boards to look at ways to work together to address recurring flooding problems throughout the county. 

The first session was designed to make sure everyone understands the major factors that contribute to flooding and the number of individuals and agencies that need to work together going forward, as well as to find out what came out of the many flood studies, that were never implemented, going back to the late 1800s.

 “As much as we all think we know about flooding, it became clear to us that everyone is not on the same page” said Planning Commissioner Jerry Mulligan. “We felt it was important for everyone to understand how we got to where we are today.”

The second session focused on the range of action items that can be undertaken both short term and long term – some on an individual basis by owners of private properties, but most on a collective basis among the municipalities, the county, state and federal governments.