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Update, Thursday 4:45 p.m. - Although several Democratic lawmakers attended the county executive's announcement, Democratic legislators later issued a press release criticizing Astorino for taking credit for flood mitigation funding lawmakers wrote into the 2012 budget and failing to comply with storm water legislation passed last February. Democrats say Astorino failed to start the Reconnaissance Plan, which outlines a flood prevention planning process, within 180 days of signing the legislation.
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - County Executive Robert Astorino announced Thursday that Westchester will be doling out $9 million to help alleviate chronic flooding near the Bronx River and in the Sound Shore region.
Astorino, a Republican, said the county partnered with local municipalities to select and fund seven capital projects that can provide relief at a cost Westchester can afford. Many are along the Bronx River, which the county owns, because Westchester doesnt have to seek permission from the state or federal government to begin work there.
The causes of flooding did not start yesterday. They will not be fixed overnight, but we feel very strongly that we cannot sit idly by as folks in Washington and Albany point fingers at each other. All the inaction has frustrated many people in Westchester. Every time it rains, seemingly, we have flooding all over the place, Astorino said.
Westchester has added $6 million to $3 million previously budgeted for flood mitigation efforts, which will help finance a nearly $500,000 Oak Street pump station rehabilitation in Mount Vernon and Yonkers, a $1 million Bronx River bank stabilization project near Garth Woods, a $700,000 wetland restoration and Bronx River bank stabilization effort near Fisher Lane and a Bronx River channel modification and bank stabilization project near Harney Road.
The county will also spend $2.3 million to improve the drainage system near the intersection of Pine Brook and Boston Post Road in Larchmont and $2 million to replace an aging sewage system on Anita Lane in Mamaroneck. New Rochelle will be given $2.5 million to replace drains in the Hutchinson River.
Several local communities have helped hedge the cost, according to Astorino.
These projects demonstrate great partnership because the municipalities came to us with what they needed and theyre ponying up money, Astorino said. Its a winning combination for all the residents.
Besides continuing to rehabilitate the eroding Bronx River banks near the county center, the county is engaged in talks with state and federal officials about providing funding for relief near the Hutchinson River, the Saw Mill River and pockets of the Sound Shore.
Residents are invited to help with the River Rescue, a volunteer program debuted after Tropical Storm Irene and an unseasonable October snowstorm jammed the Bronx River with refrigerators, tires, trees and other debris. Volunteers help remove clutter from the river to help it flow as freely as possible.
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