NY provides at least $100M to protect against Lake Ontario flooding

Jun. 22--New York appropriated more than $100 million for economic development and infrastructure projects along Lake Ontario to prevent future floods and boost lakefront businesses.

The funding was included in a capital projects approved by the state Legislature Thursday.

The state will invest $100 million to support the Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative established by Gov. Andrew Cuomo earlier this month. The initiative is comprised of state agency leaders who will endorse projects funded by state and local governments.

State Sen. Pam Helming, who represents Wayne County and northern Cayuga County, said there is additional funding available through another program in the capital projects bill. The state allocated $385 million for state and municipal facilities funding. Some of that funding will be used to support grants for businesses and homeowners affected by flooding, the senator's office said.

"This is an important step forward," Helming said in a statement. "I will continue to lead the fight on behalf of our shoreline homeowners and small businesses. It is important that every level of government work together to address this crisis. Our local municipalities have already started working with the state to identify projects an develop a plan to move forward."

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Lake Ontario reached a record high earlier this month. The lake level eclipsed 249 feet, topping the previous high of 248.95 feet in 2017 when flooding affected communities along the lake.

Due to the damage in 2017, the state applied for federal disaster aid. President Donald Trump issued a major disaster declaration for Cayuga and seven other counties along the lake.

A disaster declaration hasn't been issued yet this year, but U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, New York's senior senator and the top Democrat in the Senate, said his office is ready to expedite any request from the state.

Cuomo declared a state of emergency for the affected counties in May. The state has deployed National Guard members and more than 1 million sandbags to protect against high water levels.

Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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