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HomeNews (pre-July, 2011)Army Corps to Study Local Flooding

Army Corps to Study Local Flooding

On an appropriately rainy morning, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the State Department of Environmental Conservation and Westchester County

 

 

 formalized an agreement Monday to study ways to reduce flooding in the Village of Mamaroneck. the 5-year study will cost $6 million.

The official press release is below.

 

NEW YORK (May 3, 2010) ‐‐ The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and County of Westchester, publicly formalized cost sharing agreements today for the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake rivers drainage basin flood risk management study.

The signing marks the execution of the design agreement and formalization of the partnership between the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the County of
Westchester for the re‐evaluation study of the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake Rivers to examine the opportunity for
reduction of flood risks to the Village of Mamaroneck. The County of Westchester is partnering in the effort through
a sub‐agreement with the State.

The cost of the re‐evaluation effort is estimated at $6.1 million and is cost shared
75 percent federal and 25 percent non‐federal partner. Full federal funding of the study was secured by
Representative Lowey in the Fiscal Year 2007 Supplemental Appropriations Bill.


The agreement allows the Corps to begin the re‐evaluation of a flood risk management project that was
originally authorized for construction in 1986. The project never moved into construction following authorization
due to local concerns on the project costs. This re‐evaluation will examine the flooding problems of the
Mamaroneck and Sheldrake Rivers caused from low channel capacity, small bridge openings; developmental
encroachment along both rivers, urbanization and a poor flow conveyance at the confluence of both rivers.
Potential alternatives being examined include channel modification, a diversion tunnel, non‐structural measures,
such as buyouts and flood proofing, or a combination of alternatives. The five‐year study will identify opportunities
to reduce the flood risk for the residents of the Village of Mamaroneck through identification of a recommended
plan, complete an environmental impact statement and prepare the plans and specifications for the first
construction contract. Construction of the project will require new authorization and funding, and the execution of
a new agreement with the state.

“The best way to protect our community from severe flooding is to prevent it from occurring in the first
place,” said Congresswoman Nita Lowey. “I am pleased this agreement will allow critical work to move forward. It
is a necessary part of developing a long‐term solution to regional flooding. In the short‐term, I continue working to
secure federal funding for local communities to undertake their own flood mitigation projects like storm water
drainage enhancements and sewer upgrades.”
"Mamaroneck Village residents and businesses as well as those from surrounding communities were severely
impacted by the extreme flooding from the April 2007 northeaster. Signing this agreement places the County in a
position to move forward with a practical strategy to reduce the risk of potentially catastrophic flooding along the
Mamaroneck and Sheldrake rivers in the village," said Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino.

 

 

 

 

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