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NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Commissioner’s Flood Summit
October 16, 2008Kingston
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Why was the Flood Summit held?
• Five-year damages about $1 billion.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Why was the Flood Summit held?
• Five-year damages about $1 billion.
• Commissioner requested it. He receives many questions concerning flooding.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Why was the Flood Summit held?
• Five-year damages about $1 billion.
• Commissioner requested it. He receives many questions concerning flooding.
• Address causes and impacts of floods, as well as discuss tools available to reduce damages.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Who was at the Flood Summit
• Commissioner Grannis and DEC staff.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Who was at the Flood Summit
• Commissioner Grannis and DEC staff.
• Speakers included experts from national, state and local organizations.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Who was at the Flood Summit
• Commissioner Grannis and DEC staff.
• Speakers included experts from national, state and local organizations.
• Attendees included more than 175 community representatives and stakeholders.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What Speakers Said
• Floods are natural events, and flooding may get worse. Why:
Development increases impervious land surfaces.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What Speakers Said
• Floods are natural events, and flooding may get worse. Why:
Population is growing.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What Speakers Said
• Floods are natural events, and flooding may get worse. Why:
Development of floodplains reduces flood storage
capacity.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What Speakers Said
• Floods are natural events, and flooding may get worse. Why:
Climate change means bigger, more intense storms.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What Speakers Said
• Floods are natural events, and flooding may get worse. Why:
Previous flood control efforts have given us a false sense
of security.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What Speakers Said
• What can we do to prevent flooding?
We can’t stop flooding, but we can reduce flood damages.
Long term solutions are environmental and social.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What Speakers Said
• What can we do to prevent flooding?
Preserve wetlands, stream corridors and floodplains in
their natural state.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What Speakers Said
• What can we do to prevent flooding?
Reduce impervious land surfaces watershed-wide.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What Speakers Said
• What can we do to prevent flooding?
No adverse impact on neighbors when approving
development.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What Speakers Said
• What can we do to prevent flooding?
Communities are the key decision-makers.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What Speakers Said
• Where can communities get help?
Help is available from DEC, Conservation Districts,
SEMO, FEMA and the Corps of Engineers.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What Speakers Said
• Where can communities get help?
Watershed-wide solutions are needed for these programs to
work.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What’s Next: Audience Feedback
• A workable, watershed-wide approach to flood-related land use issues is needed.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What’s Next: Audience Feedback
• A workable, watershed-wide approach to flood-related land use issues is needed.
• Regulatory responsibility is fragmented.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What’s Next: Audience Feedback
• A workable, watershed-wide approach to flood-related land use issues is needed.
• Regulatory responsibility is fragmented.
• Better inter- and intra-agency coordination is needed.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What’s Next: Audience Feedback
• A workable, watershed-wide approach to flood-related land use issues is needed.
• Regulatory responsibility is fragmented.• Better inter- and intra-agency
coordination is needed.• Communities need up-to-date
information and tools.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What’s Next: What DEC is Doing
• Summary of Flood Summit proceedings will be posted on DEC website.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What’s Next: What DEC is Doing
• Summary of Flood Summit proceedings will be posted on DEC website.
• Website will be redone to better reflect information presented at the Summit and to feature resources for communities.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
What’s Next: Questions?
