Letter to the Hon. R.D. James, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, and Lieutenant General Todd T. Semonite, Chief of Engineers of the Army Corps of Engineers - Schumer, Gillibrand Call on Army Corps of Engineers to Approve Two Critical Projects for Town of Greece and Youngstown to Protect Against Lake Ontario Flood Damage

Letter

Dear Assistant Secretary James and General Semonite,

We are writing to bring to your attention an urgent matter affecting my constituents who reside along the shoreline of Lake Ontario. This week, the International Joint Commission recorded that water levels in Lake Ontario exceeded the record levels, and are continuing to increase. This has resulted in severe flooding of public and private property along the shoreline for the second time since 2017. Repetitive flooding for these communities is a serious concern, and the support of the Army Corps of Engineers will be critical in the coming weeks, months and years to improve shoreline protections. In particular, there are two Continuing Authorities Program (CAP) Section 14 projects that we hope can move forward expeditiously.

First, the Town of Greece has been particularly hard-hit by flooding, and has requested a CAP Section 14 project to protect public infrastructure along Edgemere Drive. It is our understanding that this project is pending as a potential CAP New Start. Given the severe and repetitive flooding experienced by this community this year and in 2017, I urge you to include this project on the next nationwide CAP New Start list this summer. This project will provide critical protection for the community while the Army Corps moves forward with the comprehensive Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study to develop a plan to address flood risk for the region as a whole.

Second, it is our understanding that the Army Corps Buffalo District is currently in the process of executing a Feasibility Cost Share Agreement with New York State for a CAP Section 14 project to protect against erosion at Fort Niagara State Park in Youngstown, New York. We urge you to ensure that this agreement is entered into as quickly as possible this summer so that the Corps can begin the feasibility study phase of the project.

Thank you for your attention to these two urgent projects. We look forward to continuing to work with you to protect the shoreline of Lake Ontario.

Sincerely,

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