Environment DEC
From the August 2006 issue
DEC Helps Flood Recovery Effort
Flooding forced emergency
evacuations as water rapidly
inundated homes
In response to record breaking rainfall and devastating flooding that wreaked havoc across New York at the end of June, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced a general permit for routine repairs of stream damage. The permits are available in the following counties: Orange, Sullivan and Ulster in Region 3; Montgomery, Otsego, Delaware, and Schoharie in Region 4; Oneida and Herkimer in Region 6; and Broome, Chenango, Cortland, and Tioga in Region 7.
Definition of Routine Stream Repairs
The tremendous force of flood-
waters dug new stream channels,
damaging roads and bridges
Routine repairs, as defined by the general permit, include: repair, replacement or clearing of existing bridges, road culverts and appurtenances; removal flood-deposited debris, such as tress, logs, stumps, brush, trash and similar organic material, from stream channels; installation and repair of rip-rap and other permanent stream bank stabilization measures; and clearing stream channels of gravel and boulders with limited removal of gravel bars.
All work must be completed in compliance with the state's Environmental Conservation laws and regulations to protect environmental resources, without endangering public health, safety and welfare. DEC coordinates with local governments and other stakeholders to ensure work is completed without adverse impacts to the environment. Work other than that covered by the general permit must be authorized under the regular stream disturbance permit program.
Immediate Authorization Upon Approval
Road repairs will run into the
millions and take months to
complete
Applicants should return completed applications to the designated DEC representative who has been empowered to give immediate authorization for the work. A DEC representative may meet with the applicant on site and make recommendations on how to avoid environmental problems. The general permit is not valid for any activity until countersigned by DEC.
Permit Applications
DEC Region 3 (Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties) has established its own web page for flood repair information. For more information or to apply for a general permit, click on the full press release at "Related Links" below and see the DEC regional office contact information provided there.
Latest Flood Response Information
In the aftermath of the floods, the governor, State Emergency Management Office, federal, state and local agencies have been rapidly responding to the disaster with health and safety bulletins as well as recovery assistance information. DEC has compiled and centralized much of this information on a web page, which has been continuously updated since its creation a few days after the floods. A link to the DEC flood response web page is provided in "Related Links" below.
