Senate Resolution No. 2315

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Black
River Regulating District on September 10, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the
continuing welfare of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly
enriched and reliably served by the purposeful endeavors of
organizations which are committed to the preservation of our natural
environment and the enhancement of the appreciation of the distinctive
features of our surroundings, and to the economic well-being of the
areas in which they exist; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Black River Regulating District
observed at its Centennial Board Meeting and Celebration on Tuesday,
September 10, 2019, at Maggie's on the River in Watertown, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Hudson River-Black River Regulating District (HRBRRD)
is a New York state public-benefit corporation which traces its
formation to the creation of the Black River Regulating District in
1919, and the Hudson River Regulating District in 1922, in response to
the severe historical flooding of the cities of Albany, Green Island,
Rensselaer, Troy, and Watervliet by the Sacandaga River and Hudson River
and its tributaries; and

WHEREAS, The HRBRRD, formed in 1959, by combining the two entities,
collects excess runoff to reduce flooding impacts in the Hudson River
and Black River basins, and releases this captured water gradually
during periods of low river flow to maintain water quality in each river
basin; this system was designed to reduce damage from spring storms and
snowmelt, including disease and destruction of life and property, and to
improve river navigation and public sanitation; and

WHEREAS, The HRBRRD was also formed with hydroelectric generation in
mind; it owns and operates several dams including the Conklingville Dam
which formed the Great Sacandaga Lake and reservoirs; and

WHEREAS, The success of the HRBRRD is in direct correlation to the
efforts of its Executive Director John C. Callaghan, Sr. and his staff,
whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an
impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising
standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the institution and
the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon all citizens to recognize and applaud
the efforts of organizations such as the HRBRRD, which work tirelessly
on behalf of protecting our natural surroundings for the benefit of
present and future generations of New Yorkers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Black River Regulating District
on September 10, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to John C. Callaghan, Sr., Executive Director, Hudson
River-Black River Regulating District.