Press Releases

Congressman Mike Lawler released the following statement following the passage of the annual Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). This legislation is the result of bicameral, bipartisan negotiations between the House and Senate and contains the authorization language for several critical water projects in the 17th Congressional District.

"I'm thrilled that we were able to pass authorizing language for critical clean water investments in the Hudson Valley through this year's Water Resources Development Act," said Congressman Mike Lawler. "These funds will prove transformational once appropriated for communities in Rockland, Putnam, and Westchester counties."

"I will continue to build on the tens of millions of dollars my office has already brought back for clean water in the Hudson Valley over the past two years when we return for the 119th Congress," concluded Lawler.

A list of projects whose authorizing language was included in WRDA in New York's 17th Congressional District can be found below:

Environmental Projects:

Hallocks Mill Sewer District Extension: $10,000,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure in the Town of Yorktown. The extended district will dramatically improve and enhance the water quality of Sparkle Lake, a major recreational resource for town residents, as well as the Croton Reservoir, which provides drinking water for millions of residents in the metropolitan area. Since the Town of Yorktown and the Hallocks Mill Sewer District are part of the New York City watershed, septic failures have the potential to create environmental and public health hazards.

Lake Suzanne: $4,000,000 for water infrastructure, including related environmental infrastructure, in the Town of Ramapo, New York. Dredging and reducing the algae in Lake Suzanne will improve water quality and help restore the balance of the local ecosystem. The project would specifically remove accumulated sediments, pollution, and algae that have plagued the water body. 

Town of Carmel Sewer District 4: $3,450,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure, including stormwater management, in the Town of Carmel, New York. The Town's ability to reduce lake levels before significant wetwater events will greatly increase the lake's storage capacity and reduce future environmental threats from untreated sewage release. 

Brady Avenue: $2,000,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure, including stormwater management, in the Town of Mount Pleasant, New York. This project would mitigate an existing stormwater management system by installing a larger culvert under a Metro-North right of way and creating a stormwater basin to release the backwaters from a known flood-prone area. This project would prevent further damage to these areas and improve water quality.

North Washington-Valley Street Drainage System Repair: $2,000,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure, including stormwater management, in the Village of Sleepy Hollow, New York. This project will provide immediate remediation and resiliency to infrastructure that otherwise poses a water quality and economic risk to the community, particularly its most vulnerable residents.

Army Corps of Engineer Studies:

Orangetown Study: The Town of Orangetown is submitting this Water Resource Development Act Funding request for the opportunity to authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a Sparkill Creek flood control analysis to improve flood and storm protection and other water resources infrastructure protection. The Sparkill Creek, an 8-mile tributary of the Hudson River in the Town of Orangetown, Rockland County, New York, has a long history of flooding (including flash flooding). The frequency of flooding has increased in the last few years due to outdated and overwhelmed stormwater infrastructure, increased areas of impervious surfaces, and development that has predated stormwater regulations. The Town of Orangetown is looking to construct system-wide improvements along Sparkill Creek, which will cut through the heart of the Town. A flood control analysis would define existing floodplains along Sparkill Creek and recommend specific improvements to reduce flooding, erosion, and siltation. This analysis will include hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, floodplain delineation, a summary report, study methodology, project recommendations, project priorities, and project implementation costs. Flooding along Sparkill Creek is one of the most significant environmental concerns for the Town. Infrastructure, including roadways and utilities like the Town and County Sewer Plants, are located along Sparkill Creek. There are also many residential areas and businesses that reside close to the creek. Conducting a flood control analysis is the first step towards flood and storm resiliency to protect the health and safety of the residents in the Town of Orangetown.

Pascack Brook/Memorial Park Flood Mitigation Study: The Rockland County Highway Department – Drainage Agency is proposing to study an area located along the Pascack Brook, from south of Maple Avenue in the Village of Spring Valley to a to-be-determined point downstream. This study aims to examine the waterway's flow and identify alternatives to reduce flooding. This project's scope will include enlisting a qualified environmental consultant to create a hydraulic model using the flow values of the Brook as established by FEMA or other approved existing studies. The consultant will then use this model to evaluate two alternative mitigation recommendations to reduce flooding, specifically in the area of Memorial Park. This recreational facility lies in the heart of the Village and boasts a public pool, tennis court, football/soccer field, and basketball courts. The Pascack Brook runs through the park, creating a small pond in the middle. It frequently overflows its banks and causes severe flooding, which often renders the park unusable. Alternatives to resolve this issue will also be evaluated for any possible off-site impacts.

Valley View Drive Restoration: Feasibility Study for wetland restoration in the Town's Groundwater Protection Overlay District to mitigate lead impacts on public and private water supplies. Lead contamination has been documented in the Valley View Drive wetland system, which is a source of water for several public and private water supplies in the Town and feeds the New York City Department of Environmental Protection water supply.

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of the 118th Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties.