Schumer: Newly Available Fed Money Will Finally Move Upper Susquehanna River Basin Study Forward; Senator Urges US Army Corps Of Engineers To Provide Detailed Timetable & Plan To Launch Flood Mitigation Study

Press Release

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers' (USACOE) Civil Works Work Plan for FY 2015 included $600,000 for a feasibility study for the Susquehanna River Basin. This Upper Susquehanna River Basin Comprehensive Flood Risk Management Study will provide mitigation projects and long-term stability to a flood-affected region.

However, the USACOE still needs to provide a detailed account of how the agency plans to utilize the funding to complete this study and provide residents and businesses with real solutions. As a result, Schumer is urging the USACOE to provide an update and detailed timeline given the significant funding that was allocated and the dire need on the local level to keep this project moving forward. In his letter, Schumer requested the USACOE provide an update on the study's progress and a timetable for moving forward, including when stakeholders can expect implementation of its findings. Schumer said that the constant risk of flood damage to homes and businesses makes the USACOE study of utmost important to Southern Tier residents, and he will continue to press that it must remain a top priority.

"Since the major flood events in 2006 in the Southern Tier we pushed hard to get the Army Corps to study the Susquehanna River Basin flood risk and implement flood mitigation measures. The delay of the implementation of this long-sought-after study is disconcerting given the past -- and potential future -- Susquehanna River flooding events. More must be done, and soon, to execute the intent of the study's authorization to better protect the communities in this watershed area. Which is why I am demanding a detailed update and timetable for the implementation of the study of the river basin and its vulnerabilities for future flooding events, including best mitigation solutions. The $600,000 in new federal funds will jumpstart the feasibility study stage, but we need answers about implementation and a real action plan," said Schumer.

After the 2006 flooding that impacted the Southern Tier, Schumer immediately pushed the Army Corps of Engineers to implement projects from previous studies to provide protection to flood stricken communities. Schumer also worked to authorize new study options to ensure Army Corps had a full range of options to best address flood protection. Schumer successfully secured federal funding to begin a reconnaissance study and remained a steadfast advocate to Army Corps that future work on this study be a priority.

The development of an USACOE project requires multiple steps, over multiple years. Congressional authorization is first required for the USACOE to conduct an investigation, which includes both a reconnaissance and more detailed feasibility study. A second separate authorization for construction is then required based on the outcome of the feasibility study. In order for the USACOE to act on an authorization, a separate appropriation of funding is also required. As a result, Schumer has long fought to help communities across the Southern Tier obtain the necessary approvals to get these types of mitigation projects moving along and underway.

The Upper Susquehanna River Basin Comprehensive Flood Risk Management Study directed the USACOE to study and implement improvements to the Upper Susquehanna River with the goal of mitigating future flooding. To do so, the USACOE was tasked to work with New York State and local governments to conduct a reconnaissance study, pending favorable outcomes, develop an agreed-upon work plan cooperatively with federal and non-federal sponsors, and then launch a feasibility study from which construction projects could be identified. An FY 2010 appropriation was secured for a reconnaissance study and with favorable results, the USACOE has been in the process of working to identify a non-federal partner for the cost share requirement and to define the scope of the next step: the feasibility study.

In the wake of devastating flooding that severely damaged Southern Tier homes and businesses Schumer urged the USACOE to conduct a study of the Upper Susquehanna River Basin, utilizing an existing authorization, and to direct remaining funds from the 2007 Continuing Budget Resolution to begin the project. In FY2010 Schumer helped appropriate $100K to fund the reconnaissance study. In subsequent years Schumer urged USACOE to keep this project a priority; as a result this year's Army Corps work plan includes $600K for the feasibility study.

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