Flood Mitigation Task Force Forwards Action Agenda to Governors

The Delaware River Basin Interstate Flood Mitigation Task Force completed and forwarded its flood damage reduction action agenda to the governors of the four basin states.

The group's executive director Carol R. Collier submitted the final report and its 45 consensus recommendations to Deleware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer and Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell.

"The task force members, after evaluating flood prevention and mitigation options and considering public written and verbal comments, concluded that no set of mitigation measures will entirely eliminate flooding along the Delaware River," said Collier. "However, they believe that a combination of measures will improve the basin's capacity to prepare for and recover from flooding in the future."

Principles regarding floodplain restoration and protection, institutional and individual preparedness, local storm water management and engineering standards and the judicious use of structural and nonstructural measures guided task force members in developing flood loss reduction recommendations.

While public perception seems to point to a cause and effect relationship between spilling reservoirs in the upper basin and floods in the main stem river between Hancock, N.Y., and Trenton, N.J., historic data shows that major flooding occurred along this stem before New York City reservoirs were built.

Mitigation task force members are calling for an evaluation of the cumulative effects of operations at all existing major basin reservoirs so long as water supplies are not adversely affected. They also hope to establish areas of priority for funding, enable storm water utilities and develop a consistent set of comprehensive floodplain regulations beyond minimum National Flood Insurance Program standards.

The 31-member task force developed a preliminary action plan and progress letter in late 2006. Since then, the draft plan has been the focus of four public meetings with more than 200 people in attendance and the subject of 60 letters submitted during the public comment period.

The complete report and additional task force information can be viewed at www.drbc.net.

Source: pocononews.net