Assemblywomen Join N.Y. Legislators in Urging Cuomo to Sign Bi-State Flood Prevention Measure

Assemblywomen Connie Wagner and Valerie Vainieri Huttle joined with New York state legislators Wednesday to urge New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign a bill to help stem the tide of reoccurring flooding in communities in Bergen and Rockland counties. 

Those who spoke at the press conference with Lake Tappan as a backdrop stressed the need for a commission that would bring representatives of both states to work together in a collaborative and coordinated effort on flood mitigation and water supply plans.

New Jersey already enacted a companion law (A-2440) in 2011 sponsored by Wagner and Vainieri Huttle.  In order to create the bi-state commission both states must enact similar legislation. The fate now rests in Cuomo’s hands with New York’s legislature recently granting final approval to the companion measure.

The commission would have 12 voting members, six from New York and six from New Jersey with six non-voting members. The commission members, who would not be paid, would be appointed by the their respective state’s leadership. The six non-voting members would include the Rockland and Bergen county executives, state transportation commissioners, one representative each from United Water and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  

Bergen County Assemblywoman Connie Wagner said, “We need to work together to find ways we can get some preventive measures.”  

Bergen County Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi echoed that idea and added New Jersey municipalities can not do anything further to prevent flooding unless they are working in collaboration with their New York neighbors. Clarkstown Supervisor Alex Gromack said the town has completed 110 flood mitigation projects but has reached a standstill because future projects need a coordinated effort. Orangetown Supervisor Andy Stewart said everyone lives downstream from somewhere else and a broader view of flooding issues is necessary.

The lawmakers were joined by homeowners and advocates who have been impacted for years by rampant flooding that stems from the rivers and tributaries that stretch between state lines, including the Mahwah River, Hackensack River, Ramapo River, and other waterways, making it difficult to formulate a joint response to the challenges affecting each community.

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