Hinchey Announces $5.67 Million In FEMA Grants For Buy-Out Program: Will Acquire Property From Owners In Conklin & Union Whose Homes Were Flood-Damaged
Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today announced a total of $5,675,625 in federal grants for New York State's Emergency Management Office's to acquire 96 residential properties in Conklin and Union from willing owners whose homes were damaged by floods and want to sell those properties, which are located in or near the Special Flood Hazard Area of the Susquehanna River. The grants, which will be used for the state's "buy-out program", are administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and represent 75 percent of the total cost of the project.
"These grants provide property owners in severely flood prone parts of Conklin and Union with an opportunity to be paid for their property and no longer have to deal with the aftereffects of past floods and the threat of future ones," Hinchey said. "This makes economical sense for everyone involved. Property owners no longer have to pay for repairs and worry about future floods and the local, state, and federal government won't have to worry about emergency funds for this area. I am very pleased that FEMA has awarded these funds and look forward to helping other communities in our area handle the many problems associated with severe flooding."
Through these grants, properties will be acquired, structures demolished, and the lands will be returned to open space use. The lands will be deed restricted and maintained by the Towns of Conklin and Union in perpetuity. By acquiring the proposed properties, the Towns of Conklin and Union will remove property owners/residents from harm's way, restore the natural functions of the floodplain, and reduce future health and safety risks, property damages, and costs associated with emergency rescue services.
A total of $4,034,850 for Conklin has been earmarked. The floodplain area is generally bounded by the Susquehanna River on the east and New York State Route 7 (Conklin Road) on the west. Conklin Road runs north-south throughout the entire length of the Town and parallels the river. Many of the homes sustained damages from previous flood events, including three major floods since 2004. All of the homes in this acquisition project were substantially damaged or destroyed as a result of the June 2006 flood.
The flood-prone properties in Union, which has $1,640,775 in federal funds earmarked for it, are located in the South Endwell and Fairmont Park neighborhoods. South Endwell is located between the Susquehanna River and East Main Street (Route 17C); Fairmont Park is located north of Route 17, just west of the neighboring Village of Johnson City. Three major flood events have affected these areas during the past two years.