State Senator Christopher J. Ryan (SD-50) announced the passage of S.8924, legislation establishing an Oswego River Basin stakeholder group to evaluate flood mitigation strategies, improve coordination among water management entities, and develop recommendations to better protect communities from recurring flooding events.

The legislation is a direct response to devastating floods that have struck communities across the Oswego River Basin, causing widespread damage to homes, businesses, farms, and public infrastructure. The bill builds upon recommendations from the Upstate Flood Mitigation Task Force, which identified a need for stronger coordination and long-term planning to manage water flows and reduce flood risks throughout the region.

"The areas surrounding the Oswego River Basin have experienced devastating flooding, and continue to experience flooding even as we pass this bill today. This underscores the need for a coordinated, basin-wide approach to water management in Central New York," said Senator Ryan. "This legislation brings stakeholders together to identify long-term solutions that will improve flood mitigation, strengthen coordination during high-water events, and better protect the communities, businesses, and infrastructure that depend on the Oswego River Basin."

Following the catastrophic flooding of the Hudson River Valley in 1913, New York State established river regulating districts to coordinate water management and reduce flood risks. Those districts have helped prevent damage to thousands of homes and businesses while saving millions of dollars in recovery costs over the last century. The Oswego River Basin has experienced similar flooding challenges for decades, including major flood events in 1972, 1993, and most recently in 2023. According to the Upstate Flood Mitigation Task Force, improved coordination among water management entities is necessary both during routine operations and emergency flood conditions.

Under the legislation, the stakeholder group will be convened by the New York State Canal Corporation in consultation with the Department of Environmental Conservation and include representatives from state agencies, local governments, water management entities, and other stakeholders throughout the basin. The group will review existing water management practices and evaluate options for improving flood mitigation efforts, including recommendations for enhanced coordination of water releases and long-term governance structures.

The stakeholder group will submit recommendations to the Governor and Legislature on actions that can be taken to reduce flood risk, improve water management, and strengthen resiliency throughout the Oswego River Basin.

The legislation has already passed the Assembly and now heads to the Governor for consideration