Assemblymember Kevin Cahill (D-Ulster, Dutchess) announced that the 2008-2009 State Budget includes $15 million in flood mitigation funding. The money would be dedicated to projects aimed at addressing the massive and unprecedented flooding has devastated the Catskill, Hudson Valley, Mohawk Valley and Southern Tier regions of the state in recent years. Ulster County will receive $2 million from the flood mitigation fund.
“We need to make sure that we address every situation and explore every viable solution so that we do not again experience the piecemeal reactions we have seen in response to the major flood events over the past three years,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “This budget provides the resources necessary to do just that.”
In February, a summit for state and local officials was held in Binghamton to explore issues regarding the repetitive devastating flooding that has occurred in various regions of the state over the last three years, threatening the safety of residents and causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. The event was held at the insistence of a bi-partisan caucus of state legislators organized by Assemblymembers Kevin Cahill and Donna Lupardo.
“The summit brought together all the key stakeholders on the local, state and non-governmental levels to develop best practices in the areas of flood prevention, mitigation, response and recovery,” said Mr. Cahill. “The funding announced today is a reflection of the state’s commitment to assist communities in implementing these strategies.”
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