Dover Plains, NY – U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-NY19) held the first public briefing on the Army Corps study of the Ten Mile River watershed on Tuesday, capping a year-long process of evaluating the river's flood risk. Hall was joined by representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers, as well as state, county and municipal officials, all of whom are concerned about the potential impact of future flooding.

 

"The Ten Mile River poses a very real risk to those living and working in its flood zone," said Rep. Hall.

"I am grateful for the work of the Army Corps of Engineers in assessing the river's watershed and for providing the basis for future measures to ensure the safety of all those in its path."

 

The Army Corps of Engineers initiated the study of the Ten Mile River watershed in September 2007, seeking to identify the potential need for flood prevention measures. The Ten Mile River has experienced a number of severe floods in the past several years, with the most recent occurring in April of 2007 and resulting significant damage to local infrastructure, homes and businesses.

 

The results of the Ten Mile River watershed study indicated a significant economic risk associated with the river flooding and called for the Army Corps to proceed to the feasibility study stage. This next phase will identify individual steps to mitigate flood risk for both the Ten Mile River and the areas surrounding it and would take up to three years to complete. However, before any subsequent study can take place, a combination of federal and other funding must be appropriated.

 

"I am fully committed to securing federal financing for the sustained evaluation of the Ten Mile River flood zone, and will continue to work with state, county and local partners to make sure the funding for these much-needed improvements is in place," Hall added.

 

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