DEC Launches Flood Mitigation Study in Orange County

Study Complements Governor Hochul's Commitment to Address and Prevent Damage Caused by Major Flooding Events

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the addition of the Moodna Creek watershed in Orange County to the Resilient NY Program to help identify strategies that reduce flooding in high-priority, flood-prone watersheds. The study is part of the ongoing implementation of Governor Kathy Hochul's State of the State commitment to advance flood resilience studies and flood control projects. It will help identify the causes of flooding within the Moodna Creek watershed and develop effective and ecologically sustainable hazard mitigation projects appropriate for the affected municipalities.

"New York is investing expertise and resources into bolstering community resiliency and addressing the impacts of extreme weather events by implementing flood mitigation measures in high-risk areas," DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. "We are pleased to add the Moodna Creek watershed to the Resilient NY program and help Orange County communities take action to reduce the potential for flood damage and look forward to working with the communities in this watershed and our state elected officials to advance this important project."

State Senator James Skoufis said, "Having just observed the one-year anniversary of last July's catastrophic storm that devastated eastern Orange County, and mindful of the increasing frequency of flooding in so many local communities, we must not sit idly by. I look forward to the results and recommendations from this study, and I am grateful for the partnership of our colleagues at DEC as well as Assemblyman Eachus' leadership on local flooding issues. As extreme weather continues to worsen, this is a vital step to ensuring Orange County's long-term safety and sustainability."

Due to the extensive network of tributaries within the Moodna Creek Watershed, the Resilient NY flood study encapsulates a wide range of communities in eastern and central Orange County that are subject to repetitive and severe flooding and experienced significant flood damage.

Complementing Governor Hochul's ongoing commitment to address and prevent damage caused by major flooding events, this Resilient NY flood study will undertake a comprehensive hydraulic analysis and geomorphic assessment of the watershed to determine the cause(s) of flooding. It will evaluate and recommend flood mitigation strategies at specific locations that will be effective at reducing flooding throughout the Moodna Creek watershed.

The flood study will set forth a detailed strategy or "roadmap" for resolving existing infrastructure and ecosystem issues that perpetuate chronic flooding-not only identifying the issues at hand in impacted municipalities but articulating actionable steps for mitigation and recommending funding sources, as well as providing municipalities guidance on applying for that funding. Recommendations could include specific design guidance for bridge or culvert replacements, floodplain, wetland and/or stream restoration, flood buyouts, structure elevations and more. Funding for these studies is allocated through the State's Environmental Protection Fund.

The announcement is part of Governor Hochul's ongoing commitment to helping communities become more resilient. This includes 2024-25 Enacted Budget for investments to mitigate damage from major flooding events: $250 million from the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 to promote voluntary home buyouts in communities most vulnerable to flooding; $130 million for Green Resiliency Grants to support flood control infrastructure projects; and $40 million to launch the Resilient and Ready program, which will support low- and moderate-income homeowners with resiliency improvements and assist with repairs in the event of a catastrophic event.

DEC will begin the Moodna Creek Watershed study in early 2025, engaging a broad coalition of local leaders, engineers, planners, and other stakeholders. Moodna Creek joins 61 other watersheds across New York State already participating in the Resilient NY Program. To date, 45 studies have been completed, 10 flood studies are underway, and five additional studies will be launched later this year and in early 2025.

More information on Resilient NY is available on DEC's website.

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