Syracuse – New York State Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli (D-120) announced Assembly passage of legislation that amends environmental conservation law to require the Canal Flood Mitigation Task Force to study ways to alleviate flooding in the Oswego River Basin (A.9667A).

The current system of water level management of bodies of water – including the Oswego River Basin – is inadequate to prevent flooding. Regular flooding takes place in areas surrounding the Oswego River Basin causing severe destruction of land and property.

“Central New York is home to many beautiful lakes and rivers,” Magnarelli said. “These natural resources are critical to our tourism trade and local economy. We have to take a careful look at the way we handle our water level management to ensure that the same disaster that has befallen the Midwest doesn’t happen here. Floods are devastating to communities – like Baldwinsville and others – causing damage to properties and farm land, resulting in a negative hit to the economy.”

This legislation enables the Canal Flood Mitigation Task Force to study the flooding in the Oswego River Basin and recommend ways to lessen the flooding.