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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Michael A. Arcuri (D-Utica) voted last night to authorize over a dozen U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water resources studies and projects for the 24th congressional district. The Water Resources Development Act of 2007, H.R. 1495, would authorize programs through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help local communities control flooding, mitigate flood damage, upgrade aging water and wastewater infrastructure, and oversee environmental restoration.

“People in Upstate New York know all too well how devastating severe flooding can be to a local economy and how essential the Corps’ projects are to helping prevent or reduce the damaging effects of natural disasters,” said Arcuri. “The severe flood events in June 2006 caused overwhelming amounts of property destruction and subsequent recovery projects have drained the resources of local communities.”

“This bill will authorize a number of Corps’ projects that will put in place structures to reduce flood hazards, such as in Fulmer, Moyer, or Steele Creeks in Herkimer County and continue environmental restoration projects in the Cooperstown Area and the Upper Susquehanna River Basin.”

As a member of the Water Resources and Environment subcommittee of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Arcuri spoke in support of projects for the 24th district and voted for the bill in subcommittee and committee.

Projects in the 24th district authorized by H.R. 1495 include:

  • Flood Damage Reduction in Fulmer Creek, Village of Mohawk


  • Flood Damage Reduction in Moyer Creek, Village of Frankfort


  • Flood Damage Reduction in Steele Creek, Village of Ilion


  • Environmental Restoration at Oriskany Wildlife Management Area, Rome


  • Operations and Maintenance of Whitney Point Lake, Broome County


  • Environmental Restoration in the Upper Susquehanna River Basin Program, Cooperstown


  • Study of the stream bank erosion problems in Owego Creek, Tioga County


  • Study of flooding problems in Dry and Otter Creeks, City of Cortland, Cortland County
- Dry and Otter Creeks run right though the city of Cortland. Cortland had two federally declared disasters (FEMA) in April 2005.
  • Ecosystem Restoration at Chenango Lake, Chenango County

  • Coordination with the Towns of Springport and Fleming in Cayuga County to prepare a decision document concerning water infrastructure problems, needs and improvements in the town.

  • Coordination with the Town of Sennett in Cayuga County and to prepare a decision document concerning water infrastructure problems, needs and improvements in the town.

  • Initiation and completion of a Section 905(b) Reconnaissance study of the Finger Lakes in central New York State for the purposes of aquatic ecosystem restoration and protection, water quality and invasive species.

  • Assistance to enhance dam safety for State Dam, Auburn, Cayuga County.

  • Authorize a new and more efficient method to appoint the U.S. member to the Susquehanna and Delaware River Basin Commissions (SRBC and DRBC). Delaware, Susquehanna, and Potomac River Basin Commissions

Each year Congress generally authorizes the water resources studies and projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) before appropriating funds to them. During the 107th, 108th, and 109th Congresses, Congress considered but did not enact WRDA legislation, which had previously followed a biennial schedule. WRDA, had not been reauthorized since 2000.

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