September 20, 2007

Schumer, Clinton & Bishop secured a today’s meeting with Army Corps, USGS, Legislator Kennedy and local engineers in Schumer’s office to confront the rising groundwater crisis plaguing Suffolk

Due to extraordinarily heavy rains groundwater has accelerated since, 2005 leaving Homeowners with Lower Property Values, Contaminated Yards and Thousands Extra in Energy Bills for 24/7 Pumping

Following an appeal from U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, and a subsequent letter sent by U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton and U.S. Congressman Tim Bishop, regarding the concerns of numerous Suffolk County homeowners and community leaders, Army Corps of Engineers and United States Geological Survey representatives today met with elected officials, local engineers and federal representatives to begin work on addressing the growing crisis of rising groundwater that has led to flooded basements, crumbling foundations, and mold around the communities of Smithtown, Islip and Brookhaven. The meeting marked the first time that local and federal engineers were able to meet face to face to begin discussions on addressing the escalating problem.

 “We need to get the best and brightest engineering experts available to provide some relief for Suffolk homeowners under siege from rising groundwater,” said Senator Schumer. “Thousands of Suffolk families must pump their homes and yards on a near constant basis in fear that the next rainstorm will bring more flooding, and more expense. This meeting was an important step in forging a plan. Now that local and federal engineers have met to discuss the problem we’re facing, we can begin to move forward with fixing it.”

 “It is encouraging to see that representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Geological Survey have responded to our concerns, and have opened a dialogue on this important issue to the Lake Ronkonkoma region,” Clinton said. “This meeting is a step in the right direction as action must be taken going forward so that the financial and emotional burden of the constant flooding is not left solely on the shoulders of the homeowners who continue to struggle with wet basements and other related property damages. I look forward to working with the Army Corps and the USGS in the future to help find the best solution for the residents of the affected regions.”

 “Today's meeting demonstrates that we are bringing the resources of the federal government to help families meet one of their most basic needs, a dry home,” Bishop said. “Families in the Lake Ronkonkoma region have been suffering for some time and they want action yesterday.  It is my hope that we can work quickly to determine the cause of the problem and implement lasting solutions.”

 “Today is a monumental day for the Towns of Smithtown, Brookhaven, and Islip,” Kennedy said. “Two and a half years of tireless advocacy, research, and the active involvement of citizens and community groups has finally paid off with the first meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers. We have been heard.”

The meeting in Schumer’s office was a first for addressing the rising groundwater in Suffolk, as it brought together engineers from the most affected towns as well as federal engineers who will have a direct hand in addressing the crisis. Now that all of the involved parties have met to discuss the problem, local and federal governments will be able to coordinate action moving forward.

Although Suffolk residents have dealt with the problem of rising groundwater for decades, the situation has rapidly deteriorated since October 2005 when heavy precipitation pushed the water table in Suffolk to a record high.  In the ensuing years, residents in places such as Lake Ronkonkoma, Hauppauge, and Smithtown, where the USGS has confirmed elevated water levels, have had to pump twenty-four hours a day at their own expense to keep water out of their homes. Despite their best efforts, Suffolk residents have still been faced with flooded basements, backed up cesspools, crumbling foundations, mold, and booming mosquito populations, leading to increased energy bills and declining property values. In his letter sent to the Army Corps in August, Schumer pushed the agency to take immediate action, and also urged the Army Corps to partner with the USGS and FEMA to develop more substantial solutions to the problem before the damage in Suffolk is beyond repair.

Those at the meeting included: Representatives from U.S. Senators Schumer and Clinton’s offices, as well as Representative Bishop’s office, Suffolk County Legislator John Kennedy, Gene Brickman and Karen Ashton of the Army Corps of Engineers, Ron Busciolano of USGS, Steve Calobufo of the Suffolk Water Authority, Town of Smithtown Engineer Ted Sanford, Town of Islip Engineer Dave Janover, and Tom Marquardt from the Town of Islip Planning Department.