Flood Update from RFAC’s Carolina Johnson

MyRye.com asked Carolina Johnson of the Rye Flood Action Committee (RFAC) if they feel progress has been made on flood prevention and mitigation since the floods of March and April 2007. RFAC was formed after the floods. Its membership is largely of residents from the Indian Village section of Rye, an area that was heavily impacted by those storms. Here is Carolina's report:

We welcome the bill introduced by County Executive Andy Spano on March 16th, 2009, requesting funds for an automated sluice gate at the Bowman Avenue dam. Two years have passed since the waters receded and we are starting to see some real progress on the up-stream mitigation front.

Thanks to the city’s staff, especially Assistant City Manager Scott Pickup and the support of the council, the application for a sluice gate has been successful. Here’s what needs to happen to make the sluice gate a reality:

• The County Board of Legislators has to vote to approve it. If approved, the County would fund 50 percent of the estimated 2.2 million it would take to be built. The rest of the funds come from various sources. Assemblyman George Latimer secured $400,000 from the state.
• Rye Brook and the City of Rye have to agree on how to split the $700,000, approximately, balance.
• DEC permits have to be cleared.
• Rye Brook also has to approve permits, since the site is on the village’s boundaries.
• The council voted on authorizing the start of the SEQRA process, which has to be open for 30 days.

Clearly, we’ve come a long way. Concerned citizens like myself and the rest of the Rye Flood Action Coalition members understand there is a process that needs to be followed when dealing with government; however frustrating it may be.

We are looking forward to a safer Rye and are glad that our efforts could benefit our merchants, firehouse, YMCA, school field and many neighbors.