Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 30, 2004

Schumer To President: Don't Shortchange Projects Designed To Curb Erosion In Hamilton County's Sacandaga River

Senator asks President Bush to ensure Army Corps erosion projects in Hamilton County and across New York State are fully funded in forthcoming 2005 Budget

Local officials concerned that project to stabilize a 300-foot section of the left bank of the Sacandaga River in the Town of Wells face draconian cuts

US Senator Charles E. Schumer today asked President George W. Bush to fully fund an Army Corps of Engineers project in Hamilton County in the 2005 Federal Budget that he is scheduled to send to Congress next week. Schumer has heard from local officials across New York State that Army Corps in the state may face draconian budget cuts in the forthcoming budget proposal. These cuts could delay or terminate projects like the study to curb erosion of the Sacandaga River.

"Hamilton County is blessed to have this waterway, and the Army Corps has an excellent record protecting and improving it – with a good return on the investment for taxpayers," Schumer said. "Severe cutbacks in these projects could wreak havoc on them and pose real danger to neighboring roads."

In a letter to President Bush, Schumer highlighted six Army Corps projects across New York State that may face drastic cuts, including a study of a 300-foot section of the left bank of the Sacandaga River in the Town of Wells, Hamilton County that is currently unstable. Currently, the easternmost channel braid is receiving the majority of the river discharge and is migrating laterally. As a result, the left channel bank on the outside bend of the river continues to erode and is encroaching County Road No. 8 and private property. The lateral migration of the channel is progressing at approximately 2 feet per year. Without stabilizing the bank, the County Road No. 8 and other private structures are under a serious threat of being undermined.

"These projects are extremely important to the economic and environmental health of the State of New York," Schumer wrote to the President. "I respectfully request that as you finalize your budget request for the upcoming fiscal year you give these projects the utmost consideration."

For a copy of Schumer's letter to President Bush, please click here.

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