Albany, NY – State Senator Shelley B. Mayer (SD 36) and State Assemblyman Steve Otis (AD 91) announced today that the recently adopted state budget includes the $17.5 million state share to fund the Mamaroneck Sheldrake US Army Corp of Engineers flood project.

In a joint statement, Senator Mayer and Assemblyman Otis said, “In the budget, we have included the NYS contribution to the vitally important Mamaroneck ACE project, which will be proceeding to construction. We worked closely with our legislative leaders in each house, Governor Hochul, and Commissioner Basil Seggos of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation on the state contribution that will be pooled with federal and county funds. Mamaroneck needs this project to move to construction.”

The Mamaroneck ACE project is one of the most important flood mitigation projects in Westchester County, given the repeated flood damage suffered by Mamaroneck in numerous storms. The Army Corps has led the studies for this project for decades with NYS participating in cost sharing with the federal government, the village, and the county. The state funding included in the budget will go to the construction work to implement the projects outlined in the study. The Army Corps is now evaluating new hydrology data from Hurricane Ida in order to make any modifications that may be warranted to improve the resiliency of the project.

The federal government, through the Army Corps, is the lead agency on the project, providing 65% of the project cost. United States Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a major advocate for the project in Washington, said, “As I stood in Mamaroneck after Hurricane Ida, I saw the devastation caused by yet another deadly storm and knew we needed to act. I am proud to say that we have secured the funding needed to protect this community from future flooding. This project has faced decades of bureaucratic red tape, but thanks to the tireless efforts of local officials and the heroic work of NYS Assemblyman Steve Otis and NYS Senator Shelley Mayer, we have finally weathered the storm. This is a testament to the power of collaboration between federal, state, and local partners, including Westchester County, and the determination of those who fight for their constituents. Together, we have taken a crucial step towards a safer and more resilient future for Mamaroneck and its residents."

Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Tom Murphy said, “The State approving their share of the Army Corp project money for Mamaroneck is vital to solving Mamaroneck’s existential flooding problems. All of Mamaroneck is grateful to Senator Mayer and Assemblyman Otis for their hard work and steadfast commitment to our residents!”

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “The allocation of funding towards the Mamaroneck ACE project is not merely an investment in construction, but a crucial investment in the safety and well-being of the residents of Mamaroneck. The incorporation of the NYS contribution in the budget is a momentous stride in advancing this imperative flood mitigation project towards completion. I thank our state delegation for their hard work on this matter, in particular Senator Mayer and Assemblyman Otis who know first-hand just how much the residents of Mamaroneck have suffered.”