Redoing flood mapping
In discussions with other town governments, the Catskill Watershed Corporation, and the Coalition of Catskill Towns, Stanley said there has been an emphasis on “really getting a stream maintenance program to cover us from the headwaters to the reservoir. We’re not going to just bulldoze the streams; we’re looking to do a coordinated effort to save property and lives.”
Such a plan is in the works through the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program and the DEP, which is funding a townwide study. On September 19, the Town Board approved the hiring of Tetra Tech of Morris Plains, New Jersey, to work on a Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Stanley cautioned that results will not be immediate. “Look at the mileage that needs to be covered on the Esopus and its tributaries. They are redoing the flood mapping, which hasn’t been done since 1980. It takes a lot of money and time.”
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Shandaken, replacement of the Hatchery Hollow bridge on Oliverea Road has been completed, which will allow heavy equipment to get higher up the valley for the repair of other damaged bridges. Some have been replaced by one-lane temporary bridges. The Alpine Road and Eagle Mountain bridges will be the next to get attention.
The dredging of the Stony Clove is almost complete, and the town anticipates finishing modification of Simpson Mini-Park in the coming month, altering the slope of riprap on the bank to lessen the impact of future floodwaters. ++
