Congressman Eliot Engel, a top member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, recently welcomed Col. Thomas Asbery, commander and district engineer of the New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to his Washington, D.C., office to discuss flood control and dredging projects affecting Westchester and the Bronx.
Among the topics covered in the meeting was a proposal to alleviate persistent flooding issues in Mamaroneck by widening, deepening and lengthening the Sheldrake and Mamaroneck Rivers, constructing retaining walls, and building a culvert under the railroad station parking lot.
Engel testified in favor of the proposal last year in front of the Army Corps’ Civil Works Review Board. The proposal received preliminary approval from the Army Corps of Engineers last month, and Engel and Asbery discussed ways to continue moving the project forward.
Engel also spoke with Asbery about the need to dredge the Milton Harbor channel, which connects the City of Rye Boat Basin to the Long Island Sound, and restoration projects along the Bronx River at locations that include Bronxville Lake and Crestwood Lake.
“Parts of my district, especially in the Sound Shore communities, have dealt with persistent flooding for a long time,” said Engel. “These problems will only be exacerbated with climate change as the years go on, so it’s imperative that we act now to mitigate the problem.
“I have worked closely with Army Corps experts during the crafting of the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake Flood Risk Management Study and I am pleased Col. Asbery was able to meet with me in person to discuss that and several other flood mitigation projects in both Westchester and the Bronx. We will continue to partner to make sure NY-16 residents are protected from flooding when future storms hit.”
