Flood mitigation: DEC answers call for more Steuben stream clearing permits

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has responded to calls for state help to mitigate future flood damage in Steuben County.

Steuben County Office of Emergency Management Director Tim Marshall and other local and state officials had called on the DEC to further open channels to clear out and stabilize streams that are often filled with dead trees, shrubs, woody vegetation and gravel after devastating flooding hit the region Aug. 9.

Marshall said he believes flash flooding in Steuben County and across the state would be greatly reduced if the DEC allowed this type of work to consistently be completed, but getting the necessary permits to do so had been a "struggle."

Now, Marshall said, the DEC has been "a lot more responsive."

DEC spokesperson Michelle Margeson said DEC’s Region 8 staff coordinates with the Steuben County Emergency Manager and the county to mitigate potential issues before major storm events and has issued at least four Stream Disturbance Permits and Excavation and Fill Permits to Steuben County this year.

“We're working with them. We're engaged with them,” Marshall said. “The DEC seem to be a lot more responsive to this discussion now than they were previously. They have some emergency permits available right now that we're working with them on future permits. I'm hopeful that we can address and deal with these issues and get these streams and creeks taken care of, so this flooding doesn’t happen again.”

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Margeson said the DEC continues to assess storm impacts on the ground and communicate directly with county and other local leaders to identify how the DEC can help and what it can do to help prepare for future storm events.

This has included the issuance of an emergency declaration to help communities in Steuben County rebuild critical infrastructure after severe storms and flash flooding, expedite necessary permit reviews for work to repair infrastructure and structures on and over waterways, restore waterway channel capacity, and perform other activities necessary to restore public safety.

Those permits include one for the removal of debris in a protected stream and identifying solutions to reduce the potential impacts of flooding by removing a significant amount of debris accumulated along a railroad bridge, and working with the county to ensure its understanding of actions Steuben County can take without state permits or approvals, as well as what information is needed to expedite future permit reviews.

Marshall said he has reached out to the Steuben County DPW, and he is working with them to get all the needed work done to creeks and streams from causing floods in the future.

The agency is committed to ensuring the protection of public health and the environment, Margeson said, and continues to work with Steuben County, and state, local, and federal partners to protect infrastructure, homes, and public safety for the long-term benefit of New Yorkers.

This article originally appeared on The Leader: Flood mitigation: DEC answers call for more Steuben stream clearing permits