Senate Bill S4827

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S4827

SPONSOR: RYAN C
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the canal law, in relation to directing the canal corpo-
ration to create a chart to identify, map and model normal and flood
water flows in the Oswego river basin and the Mohawk river basin

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this bill is to require the canal corporation, in consul-
tation with the department of environmental conservation, to create a
chart of the Oswego river basin and the Mohawk river basin.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of this bill would require the canal corporation, in consulta-
tion with the department of environmental conservation, to create a
chart of normal and flood flows of the Oswego river basin and the Mohawk
river basin, which shall mean a watershed in the state of New York
comprised of all rivers, streams, creeks, lakes and the surrounding land
              

areas or other drainage, including but not limited to canals, that
drains or flows via the Oswego river into Lake Ontario and a watershed
in the state of New York comprised of all rivers, streams, creeks, lakes
and the surrounding land areas or other drainage, including but not
limited to canals, that drains or flows via the Mohawk river into the
Hudson river, respectively, using Hydrologic Engineering Center River
Analysis System (HEC-RAS), bathymetric and/or Light detection and Rang-
ing measurements, which would be updated every five years, made avail-
able to the public and delivered to the Executive and Legislative lead-
ers.

Section 2 of this bill provides that the effective date shall take
effect immediately.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

It is evident from decades of flooding and mountains of documented lived
experiences that updates are needed to control, prevent and mitigate
flooding in the Oswego River and Mohawk River Basins. Due to their work
on the Upstate Flood Mitigation Task Force Report, the Canal Corporation
is uniquely suited to place boots on the ground to survey the Oswego and
Mohawk River Basins and create a first-of-its-kind chart using modern
HEC-RAS modeling technology. The basins are often battered by horrific
weather events that inundate homes and businesses with torrential flash
flooding. For example, in July 2023, heavy rainfall entered the lakes,
streams and rivers of the Oswego River Basin which created floods that
devastated local communities in the basin.

HEC-RAS modeling is used by the Army Corp of Engineers to inform deci-
sion making in flood prone areas. This type of modeling is only used by
the federal government for flood damage in limited circumstances under
narrow requirements; however, this bill would require the use of the
HEC-RAS model for the Oswego and Mohawk rivers - which due to the narrow
federal requirements have rarely or never mapped. The State will be able
to model hypothetical floods, educate dam owners and localities on the
rippling effects of each lock and dam, identify where additional
wetlands are needed, and lay the foundation for a potential alert system
for property owners and businesses in flood-prone areas with a modern
chart using the HEC-RAS model.

As stated by the Upstate Flood Mitigation Task Force Report, the Mohawk
River Basin drainage area covers approximately 3,460 square miles from
Central New York to the Capital Region. The total length of the Mohawk
River from its headwaters in the Adirondack Foothills to its confluence
with the Hudson River is 155 miles long.  Additionally,. the Oswego
River Basin drainage area covers approximately 5,122 square miles in
Central New York and the Finger Lakes Region, which is an area larger
than the state Of Rhode Island and encompasses, wholly or partially,
sixteen counties in the state.  Furthermore, both basins comprise large
portions of the Erie Canal, which often runs parallel to or collocated
with portions of both river basins. The Erie Canal is collocated with or
runs parallel to the Mohawk River for 130 miles. There are also 285
miles of Canal within the Oswego River Basin, including in Oneida, Cayu-
ga and Seneca Lakes.

The Upstate River Basins Chart will protect property owners and busi-
nesses in the Oswego and Mohawk river basins, and is the first step in
mitigating the effects of flood events. This bill would require the
canal corporation, in consultation with the department of environmental
conservation, to create a chart of the Oswego river basin and the Mohawk
river basin.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S7641 (Mannion) - Passed Senate.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.