Local and federal partners meet along the Lake Ontario shoreline

By Andrew KornackiMay 10, 2019

Town of Greece Meeting
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District team put "boots on the ground" today in the Town of Greece and the Village of Wilson, in coordination with our many partners, to better understand shoreline conditions and mitigation efforts underway... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Village of Wilson Meeting
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District team put "boots on the ground" today in the Town of Greece and the Village of Wilson, in coordination with our many partners, to better understand shoreline conditions and mitigation efforts underway... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District team put "boots on the ground" today in the Town of Greece and the Village of Wilson, in coordination with our many partners, to better understand shoreline conditions and mitigation efforts underway in response to the rising Lake Ontario water levels.

The Corps of Engineers team was joined by staff members from Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressmen Chris Collins and Joe Morelle, Tony David, International Lake Ontario - St. Lawrence River Board, and local officials from the Town of Greece, Village of Wilson, Town of Wilson, and Town of Newfane.

"With the risk of flooding rising by the day I want to thank the Army Corps for its quick response to my request by activating it's Emergency Operations Center to assist communities like Greece and Wilson guard against flood damage," said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer.

"With water on Lake Ontario already reaching such high levels this year, our Great Lakes communities face the very real threat of flooding. We need to remain vigilant and make sure our shorelines are protected against any potential damage," said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. "I am thankful that the Army Corps of Engineers is meeting with community members in the Town of Greece and the Village of Wilson, and I'm hopeful that today's discussions will inform the best ways to protect our communities. I will continue to work with the Army Corps to ensure that any federal assistance can be provided as quickly as possible."

"My team and I are committed to monitoring the Lake Ontario shoreline level and staying up to date on actions being taken to protect the community," said Congressman Collins. "Thank you to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for visiting the shoreline today to truly understand how dangerous the water levels are."

"As lake levels continue to rise, it is imperative that we bolster mitigation efforts and take the necessary precautions to better protect our communities along the shoreline," said Congressman Joe Morelle. "I am grateful to the Army Corps of Engineers for their dedication to providing resources and support for families and businesses on the waterfront, and I will continue to work with partners at the federal, state, and local level to prevent dangerous flooding now and in the future."

"Buffalo District is committed to ensuring public safety while providing technical expertise and assistance to communities along the shoreline to supplement the State's coordinated emergency response efforts," said Lt. Col. Jason Toth, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District commander. "Our District Emergency Management office continues coordination with local and state emergency management offices to ensure the Corps of Engineers is doing our part to make as many resources available when requested."

Photos of today's visits can be found on the Buffalo District Flickr page:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/buffalousace/albums/72157707003444591

The following are examples of technical assistance the Corps of Engineers can provide:

1. Providing experienced personnel to give guidance on flood fight techniques and emergency construction methods.

2. Providing personnel to inspect existing flood protection projects and/or structurally threatened dams to identify problem areas and recommend corrective actions.

3. Providing hydraulic or hydrologic analysis, geotechnical evaluations, topography and stream data, maps, and historic or storm information.

Additional information regarding sandbag placement and general permit information can be found on the Buffalo District web page:

https://www.lrb.usace.army.mil/Lake-Ontario-High-Water/