For Release: Wednesday, January 16, 2008

DEC Recognizes Sullivan County Officials For Environmental Commitment

Recognizing the efforts of the Town of Rockland, Sullivan County officials, Pat Pomeroy and Patrick Casey, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today presented them with a token of appreciation for their dedication to improving area stormwater management programs.

"Former Town Supervisor Pomeroy and her successor, Supervisor Casey, have demonstrated their commitment to the community by taking a comprehensive approach to managing stormwater flows in the Town of Rockland," said Grannis. "Both have been responsive to the needs of the community and protective of some of the most outstanding riparian resources in the Catskills."

Town of Rockland officials have been implementing an advanced program to reduce peak flood levels, while acting to remove buildings and residents from dangerous flood-prone areas. This visionary approach involves protecting and restoring natural features, such as wetlands and flood plains that help reduce the level and force of stormwater. The approach adopted by the Town of Rockland is highly responsible, as it does not merely employ trenching to project flood waters to downstream communities.

Along with the Town of Rockland's past and present supervisors, Commissioner Grannis also acknowledged and expressed thanks to Congressman Maurice Hinchey for his work with Congressman John Hall and Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand for their efforts to secure $700,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers to study and develop solutions to water management and flood problems in the Upper Delaware River. This funding could allow for several new projects and maintenance work in the area.

Attached is the photo of today's appreciation ceremony, which took place at the DEC headquarter office, in Albany, NY. A high resolution image can also be downloaded at ftp://ftp.dec.state.ny.us/dpae in the folder titled "Rockland".