Washington, DC – U.S. Representative John Hall (D-NY19) and U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced today that they have secured a Federally-funded Army Corps of Engineers reconnaissance study of the Ten Mile River Watershed in Dutchess County.  Hall and Schumer have both strongly advocated for the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a study as an essential first step in the development of a flood prevention program.

 

“Over the past several years, the Ten Mile River watershed has seen increased flooding that has led to extensive damage in surrounding communities,” said Hall.  “The devastating storm activity that hit the Hudson Valley last April is only the most recent incident to make it clear that we need federal assistance to ensure that local residents won’t have to worry about their safety, their homes, or their roads every time there’s major rainfall.  The Army Corps of Engineers study will be an important first step toward preventing future floods.”

 

“This is great news for every community in the Dutchess County affected by the Ten Mile River Watershed,” said Schumer.  “The Nor’easter that slammed communities in Dutchess County and other parts of the Hudson Valley in April served as a wake up call that communities in the Ten Mile River Watershed are highly vulnerable to severe flood damage. This Army Corps study is an essential first step towards preventing future flood damage and ensuring the safety of local residents and businesses in the area.”

 

Severe floods have repeatedly hit the area over the past several years including storms in October 2005 and the most recent Nor’Easter storm of April 2007, resulting in erosion, road washouts and extensive economic damage.  The Town of Dover experienced over $4 million in road and property damage due to the last two floods.  The study that Hall and Schumer asked for will be the first study of the Ten Mile River Watershed conducted by the Corps of Engineers.

 

After this April’s storm and flooding Hall toured the Town of Dover with Jill Way, the Town Supervisor, and Eugene Brickman, Deputy Chief with the Army Corps of Engineers.

 

“In April I saw firsthand the damages to bridges, municipal parks and ballfields, homes flooded and undercut by erosion, and stream banks collapsing dangerously close to existing building and out buildings,” said Hall.  “The Town of Dover needs federal assistance to prevent future flooding.”

 

The study will determine if Federal involvement in flood damage reduction, ecosystem resoration or other water resource opportunities is advisable for the Ten Mile River Watershed.  If the study justifies continued examination and project development by the Federal government, it will be followed by a more detailed cost-shared-feasibility-level study.

 

“This study that Senator Schumer and I asked for is an important first step to prevent future flooding and is necessary to precede much of the work that the area desperately needs,” said Hall.

 

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