July 5, 2005
Adjoining Landowner Stabilization Program
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Adjoining Landowner Stabilization Program?
As part of an Agreement between the New York Power Authority (Authority or
NYPA) and local municipalities signed when the St. Lawrence FDR Power Project
received a new license, the Authority agreed to establish and fund a program
that under which landowners adjoining Project lands could have small shoreline
stabilization work done on Project shoreline adjoining their property. Small
projects are defined as necessary stabilization work involving less than 200
feet of shoreline and estimated to cost less than $50,000. This program will
be managed by the Adjoining Landowner Stabilization Board (Board).
Who is an adjoining landowner?
An “adjoining landowner” or “adjacent landowner” is defined as an individual
or individuals who own property that adjoins either the Project boundary or
the NYPA-owned shoreline buffer.
Who is represented on the Adjoining Landowner
Stabilization Board and what do they do?
The Board is comprised of three members (each with an alternate) from the
towns within the Project. These towns are Massena, Louisville, and
Waddington. Each member was selected by the respective town officials.
The duties of the Board include reviewing complete applications, selecting
projects to be funded, and approval of the completed project.
Does the Authority have a role in the program?
Yes, the Authority has several roles. The Authority provides administrative
and technical support for the Board. The Authority also has offered to
provide support for projects that have been selected for funding. And, of
course, the Authority will provide the annual funding for the program.
For the Board, administrative support includes reviewing applications for
completeness and providing the Board with other information that it requests
for its evaluation. After the Board selects the projects that will be done
during a given year, the Authority provides the Board with staff to inspect
the work during construction and provides the Board with an indication that
the work has been satisfactorily been completed.
For the adjoining landowner, the Authority has offered to provide the
landowner with engineering assistance in designing the work and in assistance
obtaining the required permits. The Authority has also offered to perform the
work if the landowner so requests.
How can I participate in this program?
In order to participate in this program, an applicant takes several steps.
First, you review the maps to determine if the proposed site is within the
area covered by this program. Then you complete an application that provides
information about the site and the proposed stabilization methods. The
application and other, supporting information is submitted for consideration.
The application provides the information necessary for the Board to evaluate
the application. The application is submitted to the Authority which will
review it for completeness after which it is forwarded to the Board.
Applications can be picked up at your municipal office.
What does the application consist of?
The application consists of a set of instructions, a two-page application
form, maps of the shoreline that this program applies to, and diagrams of five
conceptual stabilization methods that are approved for use on the St. Lawrence
River shore.
What are the five approved conceptual shoreline
stabilization methods?
These are five different shoreline stabilization methods that were identified
by an engineering firm with experience in addressing shoreline erosion in the
Project area. When properly constructed, each of these is expected to
sufficiently protect the shoreline from further erosion.
Will all applications be accepted?
All complete applications will be accepted by the Board. If the initial
review of an application determines that it is incomplete, it will be returned
to the applicant with an explanation of the needed information. The applicant
then has the opportunity to add the requested information and resubmit the
application.
What is the deadline for submitting?
The Board has set August 15, 2005 as the deadline for receipt of applications
for consideration at its first meeting – September 2005. The Board
anticipates that successful applicants will be notified before the middle of
October. In subsequent years, the deadline for receipt of complete
applications will be July 15th.
How will my application be reviewed?
The Board will meet in the fall of each year to select projects for funding in
the following year. At this meeting, the Board will consider all complete
applications received by the 15th of August. In reviewing applications, the
Board will consider, among other things, the rate of erosion and potential to
affect structures on adjoining property. Cost will also be considered. The
first meeting of Board to review applications is scheduled for the fall of
2005 at which time the Board will select projects for funding in 2006.
What does it cost for me to participate?
There is no cost associated with the application. In terms of cost of the
stabilization work, the Authority will provide annual funding for the work, up
to an estimated cost of $50,000. As part of its application, the landowner
may propose to share the cost of the engineering work and/or the stabilization
work itself. The Board will consider cost sharing as the Board members
believe that such cost sharing can allow for more projects to be funded each
year.
What will be the amount of the annual funding?
The Authority and the local municipalities have agreed to an annual funding
level of $125,000. This funding will be provided for a period of 8 to 10
years, the period of time that the Authority estimates it will take to
complete other major shoreline work that the Authority will do separately.
Funds not expended in a year will be available in the following year for
shoreline work.
What happens if my application is not accepted for funding?
Complete applications not selected for funding in a given year will not be
discarded. The Board will retain these applications for consideration in
following year(s). It will not be necessary for landowners who have
submitted a complete application to reapply.
When will I receive the funds for the shoreline
stabilization work?
If the landowner elects to have the work done by a Contractor, the landowner will be reimbursed for the approved cost of the work after the final inspection is complete and the Board certifies that the work is in conformance with the application and applicable permits.
If the landowner requests that the Authority perform the
shoreline work and the application is approved for funding by the Board, the
Authority will obtain the necessary permits, perform the work, and will pay
for approved costs of the work from the annual fund.
Where can I find more information on this program?
Persons can contact the Board member for their town for additional information
or the Authority’s representative, Dan Parker, at (315)764-0226 ext. 219.