NY State’s Department of Conservation (NYSDEC) held an exciting press conference at the Jay Estate in Rye, NY. this morning. On behalf of Governor Kathy Hochul, NYDEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton announced the allocation of $21 million dollars through the Environmental Bond Act to support flood protection and the launch of vital resilient infrastructure projects in Westchester County. The funding will be especially pivotal in helping to prevent flooding in communities along the Blind Brook in Rye. Lefton underscored widespread backing for the Bond Act: “We’re so excited to see this really important infrastructure investment here in Westchester County. Listen, we know this isn’t a partisan issue. We know that flooding impacts everyone all across the state and that was really true again when we saw the overwhelming support of the New York State Bond Act and how voters came to the polls overwhelmingly to support that.”
Provided through the “Restoration and Flood Risk” category of the $4.2 billion Clean Air, Clean Water and Green Jobs environmental Act of 2022, monies will allow for the replacement and redesign of two County-owned bridges in Rye at Playland Parkway and Oakland Avenue. The new bridges will have larger spans and allow better flow of water during extreme weather events with heavy rainfall thereby mitigating flooding upstream. NYDEC Regional Director Kelly Turturro, NY State Assemblyman Steve Otis, County Executive Ken Jenkins and Mayor Josh Cohn all delivered remarks and expressed their gratitude for this initiative which will protect families and neighborhoods from devastating flooding as well as make Westchester County more climate-ready.
