Erie Village, East Syracuse
/ photo: Brian Erb
EAST SYRACUSE -- New York Senator Charles Schumer is pushing for a five-year moratorium on mandatory flood insurance for property owners who find themselves in newly designated flood plains.
The bill Schumer is proposing along with fellow democrat Senator Richard Durbin gives more time for areas affected by proposed new FEMA flood plain maps to either dispute the designation or make corrections to prevent flooding.
Earlier this year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency added 2,400 properties to the designated flood plains in Onondaga County. The map included a large number of homes in Erie Village in East Syracuse. Erie Village Homeowners Association President Richard Sparrow is encouraged by Schumer's legislation. He says the association hired C&S Companies engineering firm, which found the FEMA maps had miscalculated the amount of flood water from Limestone Creek that could potentially affect Erie Village.
While the development features a number of ponds, Sparrow points out that they're all connected to serve as retention basins to prevent flooding. He says the drainage system handled Wednesday's heavy rain without problems.
Schumer says the maps were often based on "old data" and would unfairly force property owners to buy expensive flood insurance in areas that never flood. Schumer expects the measure will receive bi-partisan support. He says if if it isn't passed during this month's lame duck session, it will be at the top of the agenda for the new Congress next year.
