The state has said it will provide up to $50,000 for further study of repeated flooding in Livingston Manor. The announcement came from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on November 21.

The Livingston Manor Flood Control Feasibility Study was initiated in 2009 as a joint effort by the DEC, the Army Corps of Engineers, (ACE) and the Town of Rockland. The $50,000 from the state will be used to finalize the study. According to a press release from the DEC, the study is anticipated to be completed in 2018. After that, ACE will begin the design and construction phase of the project with federal, state and local funding.

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther assisted in securing the $50,000. She said, “The people who live in Livingston Manor have worked so hard to rebuild and repair flood damage time and time again. This study will help find a solution that works for everyone.”

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “As climate change fuels more intense and frequent storms that threaten communities and infrastructure across the state, DEC experts are on the front lines everyday assisting local governments in planning for and advancing important flood resiliency projects.”

Rob Eggleton, supervisor of the Town of Rockland, said, “We have been working with the ACE and the DEC for some time now to develop a plan to reduce flooding in our area. Our small-town atmosphere is a driving force for many new businesses, and the assistance from our state agency will help bring about positive change and continued growth for those who look for a more healthy lifestyle and quality of life.”

Ramsay Adams, executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, also weighed in. He said, “Livingston Manor has been waiting for years for the Army Corps of Engineers to step up and address our persistent flooding issue. As climate change begins to impact our own hometown, making storms more dangerous and severe, New York’s commitment to lead on this issue is incredibly welcome… We thank Gov. Cuomo, DEC, and Assemblywoman Gunther for their quick response to the October 30, 2017 flood, and their commitment to funding and addressing this problem.”