Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone has been pushing hard for the creation of wetlands to reduce the effects of future flooding in the Schoharie Valley and, after a meeting last week with local, state and federal officials, he remains optimistic the plan will be carried out.
Though not an engineer, Mr. Milone has maintained that the wetlands or ponds could be formed every mile or two up to the Mohawk River and this would lessen the effect of future flooding. In addition, the water could be used by farmers or fire departments, if needed.
He pitched the idea to Congressman Paul Tonko with little results but had a very positive meeting with Congressman Chris Gibson, who now represents Schoharie County.
Mr. Milone got a chance last Tuesday to discuss the plans with representatives from Congressman Gibson's office, along with State Senator James Seward, Assemblyman Pete Lopez and representatives from Soil and Water, the state DEC, DEP and the New York Power Authority.
Congressman Gibson is "1,000 percent behind the concept," Mr. Milone added. One Schoharie town board member is not as enthusiastic about the proposal.
The February 19 meeting lasted about two and a half hours, according to Mr. Milone, and everyone agreed to meet every three months on the issue.
"Everyone's on the same page," he said.
Mr. Milone, who will be announcing a four-point program for the proposal, said the group has asked the Army Corps of Engineers for an evaluation.
Much of the work for the wetland would take place on private property. Mr. Milone noted that a federal program may make it more attractive for landowners to become more involved.
Officials are working to have Schoharie County included in an enhanced federal program that would provide federal funds for the rental of private property.
Mr. Milone added that more funding for the work could also be coming from Hurricane Sandy aid.
Not everyone agrees with Mr. Milone's proposal.
At the February 13 meeting of the Schoharie town board, Councilman Alan Tavenner, who is an engineer, said he was skeptical about the future of any wetlands.
He was doubtful about the support from government representatives.
"They're politicians, what do you expect," Mr. Tavenner said.
"Ask them how they're going to make the water disappear. I'm very interested."
The wetlands are a "very green way" to try to solve the flooding issue but he is afraid it "may turn good farmland back into the swamps before they (farmers) showed up."
He warned, "keep the (Army) Corps of Engineers as far away as possible."
Something has to be done to lessen the effect of future floods, Mr. Milone added at the meeting.
"We have to try. I'm optimistic about this. I may be wrong; nothing may come out of it."
He had met with Congressman Tonko last year and asked for the Army Corps of Engineers to come in and study the issue.
Mr. Milone said he was told "not to bring it up again."
He added, "That kind of twisted me, so I brought it up again."