Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) announced $2.7 million for Montgomery County to support local storm recovery projects and protect communities from flooding.

“Extreme weather emergencies and natural disasters have become more common in our area, and we need to take every opportunity to improve our systems that protect families and businesses from flooding,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “These funds will help rebuild our communities and help limit the damage caused by extreme weather.”

The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Department of State (DOS) have awarded $2.7 million to municipalities in Montgomery County to help tackle various flooding and resiliency projects as part of the NY Rising Community Reconstruction program – a continuing response to the 2013 Mohawk River flooding that decimated much of Oneida, Herkimer and Montgomery counties.

The village of Fort Plain will receive more than $2 million to upgrade sewer systems, reduce runoff, divert drainage away from homes and rehabilitate and restore the Otsquago Creek Channel. The town of Minden will receive $285,000 to construct a dry channel that will absorb and divert stormwater, improve storage of public records and install a new guard rail along the town-owned portion of Spring Street.

The remaining $350,000 will be allotted to Montgomery County for the purchase and installation of permanent stream gauges, providing crucial early warning of flooding to residents, businesses and first responders.

“Storms and flooding can leave families and businesses struggling to get back on their feet,” added Assemblyman Santabarbara. “This funding will help ensure our communities have access to the resources they need to put their lives back together and recover as quickly as possible.”