Senator Clinton Convenes Meeting of FEMA, Army Corps, DEC, SEMO and Several Flood-Impacted Counties to Resolve Ongoing Issues

Senator Clinton Convenes Meeting of FEMA, Army Corps, DEC, SEMO and Several Flood-Impacted Counties to Resolve Ongoing Issues

Meeting between Federal, State and Local Representatives from several flood-ravaged counties including Broome, Chenango, Sullivan, Orange, Schoharie and Delaware, focuses on unresolved flooding issues associated with key rivers and streams

Washington, DC - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today convened a conference call meeting of representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) to hear the concerns of local representatives from several of the counties impacted by the floods last June. The meeting focused on the need to resolve flooding issues associated with key rivers and streams across the impacted region, including the Delaware, Susquehanna, and Unadilla Rivers.

Senator Clinton convened the conference call following her August visit to Delaware and Otsego Counties and as part of her office's ongoing discussion with county emergency managers and other representatives from across the flood-impacted regions. In addition to the many other challenges they face, in many places, debris problems in streams and rivers from prior flooding were exacerbated during the June floods. As a result, these are even more prone to flooding than they were before.

Last month, Senator Clinton called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA to help those areas affected by the June floods with post-flood debris removal from clogged streams and rivers.

"I have seen with my own eyes the incredible destruction and devastation wrought by the floods and I have also seen how much work still needs to be done. In addition to helping residents and businesses recover, communities need help clearing debris that was washed into and rivers and streams, and taking other steps to ensure that this doesn't happen again," Senator Clinton said.

"I am very pleased that I could convene this meeting today to give our local emergency management personnel a chance to put their concerns directly to the agencies that can help them. I will be asking the Army Corps to brief me on their initial findings, and I want to make sure that if resources are available from FEMA, that we get that assistance out to the impacted communities," Senator Clinton said.

The Army Corps is the primary federal agency that is responsible for implementing large-scale flood control projects. In addition, items that have been disrupted as a result of the flooding would be eligible for debris removal funding from FEMA under the Presidential Disaster Declaration.

[A copy of Senator Clinton's August letter is attached]

August 22, 2006

The Honorable John Paul Woodley
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works
Department of the Army
108 Army Pentagon
Room 3E446
Washington, D.C. 20310

Dear Secretary Woodley:

I write to seek your assistance in responding to floods that devastated many parts of New York State in June.

As you know, the June floods resulted in federal disaster areas being declared in 19 New York counties. These were floods of historical proportions, with some areas sustaining 500-year flood levels, and an even greater number of areas experiencing 100-year flood levels.

While the floodwaters have receded, communities are continuing to struggle with the aftermath. In many places, debris problems in streams and rivers from prior flooding were exacerbated during the June floods. As a result, these areas are even more prone to flooding than they were before the June floods.

Many communities have taken steps to assess the problem and remove debris. However, a more systematic and comprehensive effort is needed to identify the most pressing needs and to implement measures that will help to prevent future flooding. With these needs in mind, I request that you direct personnel to assess the most heavily impacted areas and to take all possible measures to reduce the risk of further flooding.

I thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely yours,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=262610&&