Sullivan Flood preparedness plan unveiled

Cleaning creeks a priority

By FRITZ MAYER

MONTICELLO, NY — With flooding becoming an increasingly common event in the area, Sullivan County officials have developed a new plan to deal with the excess water.

A Flood Management and Preparedness Plan (FMPP) was unveiled on August 17 by county manager David Fanslau. He said, “The frequency of storms has increased dramatically over the past five years. While we continue to work with the Army Corp of Engineers to study the Callicoon Creek, the Willowemoc River, the Beaver Kill River and the Cattail Creek, it is our duty to ensure that our communities are prepared for the emergencies that may occur in the interim.”

The FFMP calls for an expansion of the county’s stream management and clean-up plan done in conjunction with the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). The county has paid SWCD $1.2 million over the past four years to obtain permits from the NY Department of Environmental Conservation and to execute stream clean-ups in targeted areas. Fanslau wants to expand the program to include streams that were flooded in late July and early August.

Fanslau said, “Even in the most difficult of economic times, it is the responsibility of the county government to protect our infrastructure and safety of the citizens of Sullivan County. These increased stream cleanups are needed to ensure the debris does not build up in our waterways and cause flooding, or aggravate existing storm conditions.”

The FMPP also calls for a continuation of the Division of Public Works efforts in the lead-up to a major storm. “Most of the pre-storm infrastructure work is related to drainage structures. Prior to any heavy rain event, the division clears pipes and catch basins of any accumulated debris and attention is also given to pipe outlets to make sure they are free of obstructions, ensuring water can pass safely,” said Fanslau. “We are looking to increase those efforts before forecast storms and also be more vigilant about drainage ditches, particularly in low-lying areas and areas that traditionally experience flooding emergencies.”

Sullivan County legislators David Sager and Elwin “Woody” Wood expressed support for the plan.

Sager, whose district was hit with four floods between July 29 and August 5, 2009 said, “We cannot dictate what Mother Nature will throw at us, but we can truly mitigate the possibility and extent of flooding damage with proper stream management. After decades of neglect, our streams and rivers have been filled with sediment and debris that are significantly blocking arterial flow. They need to be unclogged immediately so that any further devastation can be prevented.”

Wood, whose district has experienced at least one significant flooding emergency a year since 2004, said, “I have personally assisted SWCD on a number of these stream cleanups, and have seen firsthand how they have helped mitigate significant rainfall from becoming flooding disasters. Over the past five years our residents have lost property, businesses, homes, and worst of all, family members. It is our duty to do whatever we can to make sure these losses never happen again.”