“We have seen the damage flood waters have had inflicted on homes, businesses and municipal facilities on the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River this spring," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
"I have seen first hand some of that damage in the River District and spent time working with volunteers and National Guard members to fill sandbags in Chaumont. This legislation is absolutely vital to combat rising water levels and the damages they can cause to surrounding communities. I will continue advocating for more proactive legislation that helps curb the impact of flooding in the North Country,” she added.
The legislation would establish a $90 million flood recovery grant program to help communities rebuild after flooding. The program allocates up to $15 million for homeowners, $25 million for businesses, farms and nonprofits and $25 million for local municipalities.
The legislation would establish a $90 million flood recovery grant program to help communities rebuild after flooding. The program allocates up to $15 million for homeowners, $25 million for businesses, farms and nonprofits and $25 million for local municipalities.
The legislation also allocates $15 million for flood mitigation activities to help prevent future flooding and $10 million in disaster relief for municipalities still recovering from the impact of a previous natural disaster. Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties are both eligible to receive funding.
"This year's flooding has demonstrated the need to allocate more funding for shoreline stabilization efforts on the shores of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. The legislation I cosponsored program that I cosponsored would assist communities to do just that," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
The bill would also establish an interagency response to assist in the allocation and distribution of state and federal resources and develop a comprehensive multi-agency flood response plan to respond to future water level increases that may occur.
To support homeowners who face costly and substantial repairs to their properties after flooding, the bill authorizes a reduced property tax assessment as well as a state deduction in income tax for those who use a distribution from an eligible retirement plan to aid in restoration efforts.
"This year's flooding has demonstrated the need to allocate more funding for shoreline stabilization efforts on the shores of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. The legislation I cosponsored program that I cosponsored would assist communities to do just that," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
The bill would also establish an interagency response to assist in the allocation and distribution of state and federal resources and develop a comprehensive multi-agency flood response plan to respond to future water level increases that may occur.
To support homeowners who face costly and substantial repairs to their properties after flooding, the bill authorizes a reduced property tax assessment as well as a state deduction in income tax for those who use a distribution from an eligible retirement plan to aid in restoration efforts.
The measure also passed the state Senate on Monday and now will be sent to Governor Andrew Cuomo.