Provides grants to local governments in Wayne, Orleans, Niagara, Cayuga & Jefferson counties; part of the state's $95 million commitment to recovery efforts
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Monday announced the awarding of $2.9 million in Lake Ontario Flood Relief funds to local governments in Wayne, Orleans, Niagara, Cayuga and Jefferson counties dedicated to restoration resiliency and recovery efforts following last year's flooding, and to protect the community from the damage of future storms. The state has committed $95 million to recovery efforts to support homeowners, small businesses and community infrastructure.
"The Lake Ontario shoreline experienced historic and damaging flooding last year, and we continue to stand with New Yorkers whose communities are still recovering," Cuomo said. "This funding supports our mission to build back stronger and smarter and help every impacted town and resident get back on their feet."
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said, "Having walked through flooded communities seeing the destruction firsthand, I know the devastating impact the Lake Ontario flooding had on people in the area. This investment continues our commitment for local governments to build resiliency and invest in critically important infrastructure improvements for the future."
The funding is part of the state's $95 million commitment to the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence Seaway shorelines. The recovery program started with an initial $45 million commitment for aid to residents, small businesses and municipalities affected by the flood. It was supplemented with two $5 million grants from the State and Municipal Facilities Program to bolster previous relief and provide necessary financial assistance to recovery efforts. The fiscal year 2019 state budget recently signed by Cuomo included an additional $40 million for the recovery program. The projects supported by the grants include shoreline reconstruction and stabilization, reimbursement for emergency repairs during the flooding, and seawall reconstruction.
Following last year's flooding of both Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence Seaway, which damaged homes, businesses and local infrastructure, Cuomo and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services coordinated with county and local partners to monitor water levels and deliver resources, including millions of sandbags and the construction of thousands of feet of temporary dams.
Cuomo has also directed state agencies to begin implementing proactive measures to assist residents, business owners and local governments in the event of flooding this year on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
Just last month, with water in the lake still high, the governor issued a letter to the U.S. chair of the International Joint Commission requesting the entity maximize outflows from the Lake Ontario system to reduce the flooding risk for New Yorkers living and working along the shoreline.
The window for applications for the recovery program has closed. The deadline for homeowner applications for assistance in relief and recovery was Sept. 29, 2017. The deadline for municipality applications was Dec. 29, and the deadline for small businesses was Dec. 31. Homeowners wishing to appeal a determination regarding eligibility should email
[email protected].
RuthAnne Visnauskas, commissioner of New York State Homes and Community Renewal, said, "This funding is essential to our Lake Ontario communities in supporting their efforts to recover from last year's flooding. Thanks to Gov. Cuomo's leadership, our shoreline communities are building back stronger than ever before."
New York State Sen. Robert G. Ortt said, "Our state made a promise and a commitment to the residents, small businesses and local governments of Orleans, Monroe and Niagara counties that we would help them rebuild. Today, we're taking an important step. Significant work remains, especially for recovering homeowners, but these funds will help municipalities rebuild critical infrastructure damaged in last year's flooding and upgrade moving forward. We'll continue to advocate for relief funding until residents, businesses and municipalities receive the resources that they need to rebuild."
Assemblyman Michael J. Norris said, "I was proud to work with my colleagues in the State Legislature and with Gov. Cuomo to make sure that this critical funding was made available to local governments in Western New York that were impacted by the flooding and erosion caused by the extreme lake levels. This funding will help make our community infrastructure more secure and to repair damage caused by the high-water levels of Lake Ontario."
Niagara County Legislature Chairman Wm. Keith McNall said, "The reinforcement of our shoreline will prove to be critical in protecting our families and businesses from Lake Ontario's rising waters. Gov. Cuomo is living up to his commitment to (protect) shoreline communities and we are grateful for it."
Niagara County is receiving $558,440.
It has been awarded $199,865 in Lake Ontario Flood Relief CDBG Program funds as reimbursement for necessary emergency repairs and expenses incurred as a result of the Lake Ontario flood event. The expenses incurred included funds for shoreline restoration and reconstruction, from Youngstown to the Niagara County line, as well as funds related to materials and labor.
The Village of Wilson has been awarded $10,263 in Lake Ontario Flood Relief CDBG Program funds to reimburse themselves for necessary emergency repairs and expenses incurred, including the purchase of a new trash pump for the village's wastewater treatment plant.
The Town of Porter has been awarded $348,312 in Lake Ontario Flood Relief Program funds to mitigate future shoreline erosion along the town's Fort Niagara Beach, as well as stabilize up to 300 feet of existing shoreline with the construction of stone rip-rap and rubble.
