Flood Mitigation Task Force Recommendations Already at Work in PA, Improving Public Safety, Says Governor Rendell
Posted on : 2007-07-17 | Author : Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
News Category : PressRelease
Print :- Flood Mitigation Task Force Recommendations Already at Work in PA, Improving Public Safety, Says Governor Rendell
HARRISBURG, Pa., July 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell said today the steps Pennsylvania took to protect its citizens, improve public safety and reduce damage after three major floods along the Delaware River between September 2004 and June 2006 have been presented as recommendations to a special panel charged with finding ways to reduce the damage caused by similar natural disasters.
Governor Rendell and the Governors of Delaware, New Jersey and New York commissioned the report to identify better planning and response tactics to floods. Pennsylvania has presented its proposals to the Delaware River Basin Interstate Flood Mitigation Task Force.
"Flooding along the Delaware is an important issue to millions of people in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York," said Governor Rendell. "When the river floods, it affects the quality of life and livelihoods of our residents. We saw this kind of devastation in 2004 and 2006 and we quickly went to work implementing measures to protect the health of our citizens, their property and the integrity of rivers and streams."
Among the report's 45 recommendations is one to develop a reservoir operations model for the major reservoirs in the Delaware River Basin. This model will examine how these reservoirs can best be operated for the public benefit and help mitigate flooding.
"Pennsylvania has invested $150,000 in this half-million dollar project, which is already underway," the Governor said. "This quick action shows our commitment to use these recommendations in practical ways to better protect Pennsylvania citizens living along the Delaware River."
In the interim, a strategy is in place that changes the New York City reservoir operations to account for snowpack and provide for releases from the reservoirs when storage is above normal. A flexible flow management plan, which adopts these changes for the next three years, and anticipates further adjustments based upon a comprehensive analysis of the implementation options, will be finalized through the Delaware River Basin Commission later this year.
"My budget proposal includes a flood mitigation initiative to ensure we have the resources to implement many of these recommendations, including a senior level flood mitigation coordinator who will work full-time to keep state and federal agencies working together with local governments between floods to reduce flood impacts."
The report encourages the reviewing and updating of floodplain regulations and floodplain mapping, and the better education of local officials on how to craft ordinances that are more consistent throughout the basin. Local officials need to be aware of floodplain boundaries in their municipality when planning for future development.
Stormwater should also be considered when planning for development. The report calls for minimizing stormwater runoff from new and existing development through the implementation of watershed stormwater management plans.
Pennsylvania is a leader in modernizing its approach to stormwater management. The state's new stormwater manual challenges engineers to manage as much stormwater on site as possible, instead of gathering stormwater and directing it into its waterways, exacerbating local flooding and eroding streambanks. Properly managed stormwater can remove pollutants, facilitate groundwater recharge through retention and infiltration, provide base flow for surface water, and maintain the stability and environmental integrity of waterways and wetlands.
In addition, DEP has finalized wide-ranging changes to the stormwater permitting program, simplifying the permit applications and creating a registry of engineering consultants who have received department training to complete accurate and thorough applications. The result of these changes will be higher quality applications, and permit reviews can be expedited in just 32 calendar days.
"Through initiatives like permit streamlining and tools like the stormwater best management practices manual, we are taking steps to manage stormwater as an environmental resource to be protected, rather than as a waste to be discharged quickly and moved downstream," the Governor said.
Other key recommendations of the task force include strong support for state dam safety programs and improved maintenance of flood control structures. Pennsylvania's flood protection program is already a leader in the basin, administering a grant program, hosting workshops and implementing plans for non-routine maintenance of flood control projects.
Pennsylvania is the only state in the Delaware River Basin to have an enhanced state mitigation plan approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, making an additional 5 percent of federal hazard mitigation funds available for recovery efforts in a flood event.
In addition, flood warning system improvements are needed with recommendations to check for deficiencies in flood gauges, and flood inundation maps should be updated so officials have a better idea of what areas will be flooded -- and when -- so they can act sooner to evacuate residents. The report also recommends creating a monitoring and communications plan for ice conditions so that ice jams or changes in ice conditions are observed and reported to local emergency management officials.
"Well-maintained flood protection gives residents and businesses the confidence they need to invest in the long-term future of their communities," the Governor said. "I believe this report gives leaders in all four states the chance to take action in the coming years to lessen the impact of floods along the Delaware River, and I look forward to working with our partners to put those ideas in place."
For more information on the report, visit DRBC Home.
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: Edward G. Rendell, Governor .
CONTACT: Barry Ciccocioppo 717-783-1116 Michael Smith (DEP) 717-787-1323
Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
CONTACT: Barry Ciccocioppo of Pennsylvania Office of the Governor,
+1-717-783-1116, or Michael Smith of DEP, +1-717-787-1323
Web site: PA Department of Environmental Protection
DRBC Home
Posted on : 2007-07-17 | Author : Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
News Category : PressRelease
Print :- Flood Mitigation Task Force Recommendations Already at Work in PA, Improving Public Safety, Says Governor Rendell
HARRISBURG, Pa., July 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell said today the steps Pennsylvania took to protect its citizens, improve public safety and reduce damage after three major floods along the Delaware River between September 2004 and June 2006 have been presented as recommendations to a special panel charged with finding ways to reduce the damage caused by similar natural disasters.
Governor Rendell and the Governors of Delaware, New Jersey and New York commissioned the report to identify better planning and response tactics to floods. Pennsylvania has presented its proposals to the Delaware River Basin Interstate Flood Mitigation Task Force.
"Flooding along the Delaware is an important issue to millions of people in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York," said Governor Rendell. "When the river floods, it affects the quality of life and livelihoods of our residents. We saw this kind of devastation in 2004 and 2006 and we quickly went to work implementing measures to protect the health of our citizens, their property and the integrity of rivers and streams."
Among the report's 45 recommendations is one to develop a reservoir operations model for the major reservoirs in the Delaware River Basin. This model will examine how these reservoirs can best be operated for the public benefit and help mitigate flooding.
"Pennsylvania has invested $150,000 in this half-million dollar project, which is already underway," the Governor said. "This quick action shows our commitment to use these recommendations in practical ways to better protect Pennsylvania citizens living along the Delaware River."
In the interim, a strategy is in place that changes the New York City reservoir operations to account for snowpack and provide for releases from the reservoirs when storage is above normal. A flexible flow management plan, which adopts these changes for the next three years, and anticipates further adjustments based upon a comprehensive analysis of the implementation options, will be finalized through the Delaware River Basin Commission later this year.
"My budget proposal includes a flood mitigation initiative to ensure we have the resources to implement many of these recommendations, including a senior level flood mitigation coordinator who will work full-time to keep state and federal agencies working together with local governments between floods to reduce flood impacts."
The report encourages the reviewing and updating of floodplain regulations and floodplain mapping, and the better education of local officials on how to craft ordinances that are more consistent throughout the basin. Local officials need to be aware of floodplain boundaries in their municipality when planning for future development.
Stormwater should also be considered when planning for development. The report calls for minimizing stormwater runoff from new and existing development through the implementation of watershed stormwater management plans.
Pennsylvania is a leader in modernizing its approach to stormwater management. The state's new stormwater manual challenges engineers to manage as much stormwater on site as possible, instead of gathering stormwater and directing it into its waterways, exacerbating local flooding and eroding streambanks. Properly managed stormwater can remove pollutants, facilitate groundwater recharge through retention and infiltration, provide base flow for surface water, and maintain the stability and environmental integrity of waterways and wetlands.
In addition, DEP has finalized wide-ranging changes to the stormwater permitting program, simplifying the permit applications and creating a registry of engineering consultants who have received department training to complete accurate and thorough applications. The result of these changes will be higher quality applications, and permit reviews can be expedited in just 32 calendar days.
"Through initiatives like permit streamlining and tools like the stormwater best management practices manual, we are taking steps to manage stormwater as an environmental resource to be protected, rather than as a waste to be discharged quickly and moved downstream," the Governor said.
Other key recommendations of the task force include strong support for state dam safety programs and improved maintenance of flood control structures. Pennsylvania's flood protection program is already a leader in the basin, administering a grant program, hosting workshops and implementing plans for non-routine maintenance of flood control projects.
Pennsylvania is the only state in the Delaware River Basin to have an enhanced state mitigation plan approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, making an additional 5 percent of federal hazard mitigation funds available for recovery efforts in a flood event.
In addition, flood warning system improvements are needed with recommendations to check for deficiencies in flood gauges, and flood inundation maps should be updated so officials have a better idea of what areas will be flooded -- and when -- so they can act sooner to evacuate residents. The report also recommends creating a monitoring and communications plan for ice conditions so that ice jams or changes in ice conditions are observed and reported to local emergency management officials.
"Well-maintained flood protection gives residents and businesses the confidence they need to invest in the long-term future of their communities," the Governor said. "I believe this report gives leaders in all four states the chance to take action in the coming years to lessen the impact of floods along the Delaware River, and I look forward to working with our partners to put those ideas in place."
For more information on the report, visit DRBC Home.
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: Edward G. Rendell, Governor .
CONTACT: Barry Ciccocioppo 717-783-1116 Michael Smith (DEP) 717-787-1323
Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
CONTACT: Barry Ciccocioppo of Pennsylvania Office of the Governor,
+1-717-783-1116, or Michael Smith of DEP, +1-717-787-1323
Web site: PA Department of Environmental Protection
DRBC Home
