The New York State Scam in re; Greater Catskill Flood Remediation Program
MIDDLETOWN — The Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District aims to have a $2 million project started this summer to relieve the impact of flooding along the Wallkill River.
A committee that will advise the board of the conservation district convened for the first time Monday.
The dozen-member committee included farmers and representatives of the county, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Orange County Land Trust.
Flooding is a major issue for the agricultural community, which has seen crops destroyed by recent hurricanes and tropical storms. The one-two punch of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 left some farm fields 6 or more feet underwater.
The committee intends to interview two engineering firms within a couple of weeks to assist it in its task. It’s expected the professional consultants will guide the committee to projects that will accomplish the most within the budget, said Kevin Sumner, chairman of the committee and manager of the conservation district.
He’s shooting to have the priorities and a work schedule set within three months.
“If we can have a plan in three months, that’ll be lightning speed for government,” Sumner said.
The money was procured by state Sen. John Bonacic, R-Mount Hope, from the Greater Catskill Flood Remediation Program. Other sources of government money likely are to be pursued as the project gains momentum.
Committee members Monday appeared to agree any work must be done for the overall benefit of the region, and not for any particular individual.
There also seemed to be a consensus that tree growth along the river slowed flow as water rose above the banks, then exacerbated the situation by catching water-strewn debris.
Some also felt it was unrealistic to expect no flooding in the Black Dirt region, but that a means should be found to more quickly get water back into the river.
Ron Myruski, a Goshen farmer; and Tom Pahucki, a county legislator representing Goshen; noted the impact of development in the Wallkill River Valley. Paved driveways and roads on what were woodlands and pastures strain the capability of the river to drain the valley.
“The development might be remote, but they’re still draining into the Wallkill River,” Myruski said. “It’s that extra water that kills us. We can handle our own water, but not from developments where there should be retention ponds.”
Orange County Planning Commissioner David Church mentioned a more global contributor.
“Climate change is a reality,” Church said. “You’re going to get these weird downpours at times of year you’ve never experienced before.”
jwalsh@th-record.com
A committee that will advise the board of the conservation district convened for the first time Monday.
The dozen-member committee included farmers and representatives of the county, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Orange County Land Trust.
Flooding is a major issue for the agricultural community, which has seen crops destroyed by recent hurricanes and tropical storms. The one-two punch of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 left some farm fields 6 or more feet underwater.
The committee intends to interview two engineering firms within a couple of weeks to assist it in its task. It’s expected the professional consultants will guide the committee to projects that will accomplish the most within the budget, said Kevin Sumner, chairman of the committee and manager of the conservation district.
He’s shooting to have the priorities and a work schedule set within three months.
“If we can have a plan in three months, that’ll be lightning speed for government,” Sumner said.
The money was procured by state Sen. John Bonacic, R-Mount Hope, from the Greater Catskill Flood Remediation Program. Other sources of government money likely are to be pursued as the project gains momentum.
Committee members Monday appeared to agree any work must be done for the overall benefit of the region, and not for any particular individual.
There also seemed to be a consensus that tree growth along the river slowed flow as water rose above the banks, then exacerbated the situation by catching water-strewn debris.
Some also felt it was unrealistic to expect no flooding in the Black Dirt region, but that a means should be found to more quickly get water back into the river.
Ron Myruski, a Goshen farmer; and Tom Pahucki, a county legislator representing Goshen; noted the impact of development in the Wallkill River Valley. Paved driveways and roads on what were woodlands and pastures strain the capability of the river to drain the valley.
“The development might be remote, but they’re still draining into the Wallkill River,” Myruski said. “It’s that extra water that kills us. We can handle our own water, but not from developments where there should be retention ponds.”
Orange County Planning Commissioner David Church mentioned a more global contributor.
“Climate change is a reality,” Church said. “You’re going to get these weird downpours at times of year you’ve never experienced before.”
jwalsh@th-record.com
