Additional Flood Recovery Funds For 51st Senate District

ONEONTA, 07/13/12 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) announced today counties within the 51st senate district will receive the lion's share of $16 million in state grants and matching funds for stream and flood restoration work to repair damage incurred during Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

“In the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster, the priority is on restoring lives and making the repairs needed to ensure our communities are safe, next comes preparing for the future,” said Senator Seward.  “I commend Governor Cuomo and state officials on the initial response following Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee and appreciate the continued attention to flood stricken areas.  These grants will help make sure homes and businesses are protected for years to come without burdening local governments and taxpayers.”

The funding announced today included $9 million in flood mitigation and flood control grants awarded through the NY Works program along with $7 million in funding so counties can meet their 25 percent non-federal match requirements for eligible federally funded stream restoration projects through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.  All together, $16 million from New York State is leveraging $44 million in federal and local funding to complete emergency watershed and flood reduction projects in 26 counties.

Area counties receiving funds include: 

County...........Grant Award....Matching Funds......Total

Delaware........$500,000.............$173,462..............$673,462

Greene...........$500,000..............$378,222..............$878,222

Herkimer........$499,657.............$82,694.................$582,351

Otsego...........$335,000.............$123,458...............$458,458

Chenango.......$330,000...........................................$330,000

Tompkins...................................$13,117.................$13,117

Ulster..............$359,347............$298,765...............$658,112

Senator Seward has worked closely with local elected officials to ensure that maximum state dollars are funneled to communities in need.  Senator Seward has also assisted with efforts to secure Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to assist in the rebuilding process.

“New York State government has come through on a number of occasions during the flood recovery phase.  Targeted grants for homeowners and businesses, appliance replacement rebate programs, and, most importantly, state assistance to cover the local share of public disaster response and recovery costs are among the examples.

“The flood mitigation grants are another signal to flood ravaged communities that New York State is standing with you throughout the rebuilding process, and a pledge to homeowners and businesses that we are doing all we can to make New York state a great place to live and work and prosper,” Seward concluded.

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