Assemblyman Pete Lopez and allies are pushing the New York Power Authority to help lessen the impact of the next flood in the Schoharie Valley.
And it appears NYPA is listening.
Backed by 30 supporters at a Friday press conference, Assemblyman Lopez said the Power Authority has at least agreed to talk about upgrading its Blenheim-Gilboa dam for better flood mitigation.
Assemblyman Lopez's efforts stretch back at least two years in the wake of Hurricane Irene's devastation in 2011.
He's contacted New York City's Department of Environmental Protection, which controls the Gilboa Dam, and NYPA to release water before heavy rain so the dams and reservoirs can hold back flood waters.
"Gotham heard us and is willing to be a partner," Assemblyman Lopez said Friday.
The Assemblyman and others insist that flood mitigation be part of NYPA's relicensing of Blenheim-Gilboa, currently an ongoing process. Relicensing may involve NYPA payments to municipalities, and Mr. Lopez seeks to add flood mitigation to the agreement.
But "NYPA didn't want to talk about it," he added.
NYPA didn't want to talk until officials learned of Friday's press conference. Then, Power Authority leaders met with Assemblyman Lopez Thursday.
"There was tension," Assemblyman Lopez said.
In what appears to be agreement, NYPA is willing to work with emergency responders and Dam Concerned Citizens, the watchdog group that monitors Schoharie Creek, the dams and potential for flooding.
Assemblyman Lopez said NYPA's willingness seems genuine.
"I think they understand the weight of the coalition," he added, noting officials from as far away as Amsterdam and others from around Schoharie County at Friday's press conference.
"We will hold them to it."
Another bargaining chip is relicensing. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must approve the relicensing agreement, and Assemblyman Lopez has asked FERC not to grant a new license until flood mitigation is part of the deal.
As for mitigation, the coalition wants NYPA to upgrade its release works and put in an emergency spillway, according to Howard Bartholomew of Dam Concerned Citizens.
During Hurricane Irene, Power Authority workers were unable to open dam floodgates at first when both primary and backup systems failed. An NYPA crew eventually rigged a way to open the gates.
The Schoharie Valley deserves a more secure process, Mr. Bartholomew said.
"We can get NYPA to do the right thing if public attention is brought to bear," he said.
The Power Authority released a statement after Friday's press conference indicating that it is willing to work with local and state officials on the Blenheim-Gilboa issue.
". . .Safety is a top priority, including in the cases of high-water and other weather-related events," the statement read.