Schumer Announces Army Corp To Finally Approve Flood Mitigation Project In Irondequoit

Press Release

Schumer Announces Army Corp To Finally Approve Flood Mitigation Project In Irondequoit

Flood Mitigation Project Approved After More Than Ten Years of Road Blocks, Bureaucratic Red Tape

After ten years of negotiations with the Army Corps, today U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced approval of a flood mitigation project designed to control significant flooding that happens during heavy rains in Irondequoit neighborhoods. The town had been unable to solicit Army Corps Jurisdictional Determination so the construction has been delayed for more than a decade. To ensure that the project gets underway quickly, Senator Schumer wrote a letter to the Army Corps urging them to approve the project. The Chief of the Permit Evaluation Section in Buffalo is reviewing the JD paperwork so that a decision can be made soon. The plan calls for a detention pond, elevating roads, additional culverts under the roads, and erosion barriers.

"This is great news for Irondequoit and the entire region," said Schumer. "Flooding is a significant problem in this town and they have been working tirelessly to gain approval from the Army Corps. I am pleased that the project has been approved so that construction can begin immediately."

The town of Irondequoit has been working with the Army Corps on the project for the past 10-15 years. When heavy rainfall occurs in the area, a stream flows from ONT-112 onto Conifer Lane, Hoffman Road and Spring Valley Drive causing significant flooding in the neighborhoods. The problem began approximately 15 years ago when a nearby housing development was constructed. Streets become overtopped with flood water, making them difficult to access. Many homes have experienced property damage and erosion from debris, and some basements have flooded. .

The town's plan for a mitigation project calls for raising Hoffman Road and Conifer Lane and adding culverts under each of the roads to stop the flooding. The project also calls for a realignment of ONT-112 with erosion barriers and stream corridor enhancements along Spring Valley Drive.

The neighborhood sits on a wetland area, so it falls under the jurisdiction of Army Corps. To ensure that the project gets under way quickly, Senator Schumer wrote a letter on behalf of the town of Irondequoit to the JD (who did he send it to?)

Schumer wrote, "As the town expects construction will take four to six weeks to complete, it is imperative that the Army Corps finalize its Jurisdictional Determination as soon as possible so the town may begin and complete the project by October 1."

Due to trout spawning in stream ONT-112 which runs through the neighborhood, the New York State DEC requires that work on this project be completed by October 1 so as not to interfere with trout season. The NYS DEC is scheduled to issue their permit for the project this week

Source