Upstate Flood Mitigation Task Force

Originally created by the New York State Legislature in 2017 and amended in 2022 under Article XIII-B, Section 139-c (1) of the Canal Law, the Upstate Flood Mitigation Task Force will identify and recommend reasonable measures that can be taken to enhance flood management and mitigation along the Erie Canal and designates Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton as chair of the task force.

The task force will explore the cost or impact of flooding along the Erie Canal over the last five years to agriculture, transportation, infrastructure, land use, public health, insurance, tourism, recreation, and power generation. In addition, the task force will assess the Canal system operation, procedures and plans that may impact flood mitigation and management and identify adaptive measures, with costs, that could be executed to mitigate flood damages. The task force will prepare a report by July 1, 2023, to publicly site its findings.

Task Force Information

Legislation

NYS Canal Law § 139-c. Task force duties and powers

The role of the task force shall include but not be limited to

Conducting an in-depth examination, presented as a public report no later than July first, two thousand twenty-three, of flood control study sectors and issues related to floodplain management, debris management, flood control and flood mitigation in the upstate flood mitigation region including:
- (a) the cost or impact of flooding over the last five years to agriculture; transportation; land use; public health; insurance; economic sectors such as tourism, recreation and power generation; as well as impacts on infrastructure including bridges, low lying roads, dams, locks, roads, water and wastewater treatment plants and docks;
- (b) an assessment of the Erie Canal operation procedures and plans which may have a direct or indirect impact on flood mitigation and flood management including, but not limited to debris management, communication, water management and flood response; and
- (c) a listing of adaptive measures, with associated costs, that could be executed to mitigate flood damages, including but not limited to feasible floodplain management activities, debris management, construction of flood control structures, construction of communication systems and flood mitigation education for public and private landowners.

Establishing an upstate flood mitigation grant program based on the task force’s evaluation pursuant to section one hundred thirty-nine-d of this article which is subject to appropriations to fund grants within the upstate flood mitigation region to prevent and mitigate flood damage within the region. Such program shall work in conjunction with existing flood assistance grant programs and supplement existing efforts by providing funds for adaptive measures to mitigate or eliminate a flood event.

Holding public hearings as it deems necessary to solicit relevant information and gather current research and data related to flooding and flood mitigation in the region as well as recommendations to fulfill the purposes of this article. The task force shall consult with the county offices of emergency management, county soil and water conservation districts and all other federal, state and local entities it deems necessary to fulfill the purposes of this article. In determining the number of public hearings to be held, the task force shall act diligently in order to meet the timeframe for first cycle awards under the upstate flood mitigation grant program established within section one hundred thirty-nine-d of this article.

The task force shall have the power to:

(a) contract for professional and technical assistance and advice;
(b) contract for and accept assistance including, but not limited to gifts, grants, easements, and loans of funds, real property and personal property from the federal government or any agency or instrumentality of the state, or from any other public or private source to comply, subject to the provisions of this article, with the terms and conditions thereof, subject to the approval of the division of budget;
(c) hold public hearings; and
(d) establish an upstate flood mitigation grant program to be administered by the canal corporation and based on the task force’s evaluation, to fund grants within the upstate flood mitigation region to prevent and mitigate flood damage within the region.

Upon the request of the task force, all executive departments of the state and the canal corporation shall provide the task force with such facilities, assistance and data as will enable the task force to carry out its powers and duties. Additionally, all other agencies of the state or subdivisions thereof shall, at the request of the chair, provide the task force with such facilities, assistance, and data as will enable the task force to carry out its powers and duties.

The task force shall meet at least four times at the call of the chairperson between the effective date of this subdivision and July first, two thousand twenty-three, and on an annual basis thereafter. Special meetings may be called by its chairperson and shall be called by the chairperson at the request of a majority of the members of the task force then in office.

Members

Task Force Members

The task force is comprised of nine members including the Canal Corporation Director (chair), Commissioner of the Department of Transportation, Director of the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, and five additional members – three appointed by Governor, one by the temporary president of the Senate, and one by the Assembly Speaker.

Contact Information

Reports

Resource Materials

Meeting Webcasts

Task Force Meeting Webcasts

Check for upcoming meetings at Press Releases.

Live link to meeting webcast available about one hour prior to meeting at Canal Meeting YouTube.

Task Force Past Webcasts

The most recent meeting recording is usually available here the day after the meeting. Recent recorded meetings are also available. To find earlier meetings, visit YouTube.

Canal Meeting YouTube