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GOVERNOR SPITZER CONVENES FLOODING SAFETY SUMMIT
Summit Will Address State and Local Flood Responses

Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced that a summit for state and local officials will be held in Binghamton on February 28th to explore issues regarding the repetitive devastating flooding that has occurred in various regions of the state over the last three years, threatening the safety of residents and causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.

“Last year, I made a promise to convene a summit to discuss a variety of issues associated with flooding, such as watershed management, state and local response activities and ways we can better protect our citizens and property,” said Governor Spitzer. “Now is the appropriate time to begin these discussions, but the fact is that the state cannot do this alone. We must work together with local governments to seek best practices and develop an overall statewide strategy. That is why I have asked Michael Balboni, the state’s Deputy Secretary for Public Safety, to lead the Flood Summit and to begin the process by engaging state and local officials in an active discussion and explore solutions to this ongoing problem.”

Over the last four years, nine flood events occurred in New York resulting in major federal disaster declarations. The cost of these events was staggering with nearly $500 million spent for emergency response and repairs to the public infrastructure alone.

Senator John Bonacic said: “We need action when it comes to flood control. The DEC must issue the necessary permits to undertake streamwork and the State must be more aggressive in supporting a lowering of reservoir levels. We must engage in a more active flood buyout program, and recognize the traumatic impact flooding has on the communities of the Catskills and Hudson Valley. It is my hope that the Governor's flood summit will refocus the State's efforts to finally bring real progress on the issue of flooding and I applaud his convening of the summit.”

Senator Thomas Libous said: “The floods of 2006 in the Southern Tier devastated people’s lives. Homes and businesses were destroyed. Millions of dollars were lost. But the resiliency of our community is overwhelming and has shown through the rehabilitation process. Hosting the Flood Summit here in Binghamton is a great opportunity for our community to show the entire state just how united and strong we truly are.”

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo said: “Nearly two years ago, the Southern Tier underwent some of the most dramatic flood destruction in recent history. Incidents such as the 2006 flooding caused untold damage to homes, lives and businesses. It is important that New York’s leaders be prepared to respond to and if possible, ease the damage of these horrific events. The flood summit will help to develop strategies to cope with devastation brought by flooding.”

Assemblyman Kevin Cahill said: “With global warming and weather patterns becoming more dramatic, we need to address the issue of flooding more today than ever before. I applaud Governor Spitzer for joining the Joint Legislative Flood Caucus in making this a priority. I look forward to an informative and productive Summit.”

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther said: “New Yorkers have seen firsthand the devastation to lives, property and businesses caused by flooding throughout vulnerable areas of the state. This summit is a crucial step to evaluating flood risk and mitigating the damages caused by catastrophic flooding. We appreciate Governor Spitzer’s efforts to address these destructive disasters and help mine and other communities plan and prepare.”

Assemblyman Clifford Crouch said: “This flood summit is necessary as we move ahead and try to establish some preemptive mitigating plans to guard against flooding in the future and also to continue to address the needs that may still be there from the flooding in 2006. I appreciate the assistance of my colleagues and the Governor in helping to put this summit together and bring these issues to the forefront.”

Deputy Secretary Balboni said: “The flooding in June and July of 2006 affected 21 counties. It has been described as ‘the 500-year event’ in the Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley and Catskill regions. Recovery costs associated with this one flood event alone have surpassed $300 million. We need to come to grips with watershed management, response, monitoring and warning issues to better protect our communities.”

The summit will begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday, February 28, and will run until approximately 1:15 p.m. It will be held at the Binghamton Regency Hotel at 1 Sarbro Square in Binghamton. The entire proceeding will be webcast over the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) website at http://www.semo.state.ny.us.

At the summit, representatives of the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Upper Susquehanna Coalition will discuss watershed management topics such as stream maintenance, streambank stabilization and permitting. Representatives from the National Weather Service and the Steuben County Office of Emergency Management will discuss river and stream monitoring systems, and alert and notification. A third panel comprised of representatives from DEC, the State Police, the Office of Fire Prevention and Control, SEMO and the Broome County Office of Emergency Services will discuss search and rescue issues.