Pennsylvania Gov. Rendell Focuses on Flood Protection

Announces $1.1 Million in Grants to Communities in 21 Counties

March 12, 2009 -- HARRISBURG – Communities in 21 counties will benefit from new state investments announced today by Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell that will help to ensure vital flood protection measures are in peak working order and protecting local residents.

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The Governor said the state was directing $1.1 million in flood protection grants to assist with maintenance and improve operations at 28 locally operated flood protection projects.

“When a flood protection project is built, local governments make a long-term commitment to maintain and repair the levees, floodwalls and channels that protect homes and businesses in their community,” Governor Rendell said. “Pennsylvania’s annual flood protection grants help local communities to meet the maintenance and equipment costs that go above and beyond routine upkeep so that these structures are kept in good working order to protect lives and property.”

Flood protection grants are awarded annually to municipalities and counties that sponsor existing flood protection projects. The grants provide up to 65 percent of the costs for project improvements and non-routine maintenance, as well as a maximum of 50 percent of the cost for specialized equipment to maintain these projects in a state of readiness.

The maximum dollar value for project improvements and non-routine maintenance grants is $65,000, and the maximum dollar value for specialized equipment grants is $50,000.

Local municipal and county sponsors become responsible for the long-term operation and routine maintenance of flood protection projects once construction of a federal or state-funded project is completed.

Grants are awarded based upon anticipated benefits to the project, such as extending the infrastructure’s life, improving function, or improving emergency response.

“Many older communities are especially vulnerable to flooding because they were developed in floodplains along waterways that provided a natural avenue for commerce and travel,” Governor Rendell said. “Well-maintained flood control projects give businesses and homeowners the peace of mind they need to invest in their communities knowing that their homes and livelihoods are protected.”

Pennsylvania has one of the most extensive flood protection programs in the nation. Since 1946, the commonwealth has constructed more than 200 flood protection projects throughout the state at a cost of more than $800 million when translated into today’s dollars.

DEP oversees Pennsylvania’s flood protection program and investigates flooding problems to determine the feasibility of various solutions ranging from upstream stormwater control to construction of significant flood control structures. Flood control projects can include stormwater detention facilities, concrete channels and floodwalls, earthen levees, stream channel improvements or a combination of these projects.

The department conducts yearly inspections and provides technical assistance to local municipal sponsors. The commonwealth assists local municipalities with design work, cost sharing on federally built projects, and builds new projects and assists with rehabilitating and updating existing projects.

In addition to the Flood Protection Grants Program, DEP prepares and publishes technical manuals to operate flood control projects and conducts annual flood protection workshops for municipal flood control project sponsors. These workshops give local municipal officials the opportunity to learn about new maintenance methods, share experiences, and keep abreast of new regulations and technological advances.

The next flood protection workshop is scheduled for March 17 through 19 in Wilkes-Barre.

For more information on Pennsylvania’s Flood Protection Program, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Flood Protection”

Source: Pennsylvania Governor