DEC Announces Completion of Resiliency Projects in Monroe and Wayne Counties
$1.8 Million Expansion of New Sanitary Sewer Service in Town of Irondequoit Will Benefit Homeowners, Protect Public Health
$342,000 Lakestones Drive Flood Resiliency Project Will Stabilize Shoreline and Fortify Village's Wastewater Infrastructure; Mitigate Future Damage
Projects Part of State's Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the completion of construction of two resiliency projects awarded a total of more than $2 million through the State's Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI) (leaves DEC website). The implementation of the sanitary sewer project for the town of Irondequoit and a resiliency project on Lakestones Drive are more successful examples of the State's ongoing partnerships with communities and municipalities along Lake Ontario to address flooding and other storm impacts.
"Through the Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative, New York State agencies are partnering with shoreline communities to reimagine and rebuild at-risk assets," said DEC Commissioner and REDI Co-Chair Seggos. "DEC is proud of the work with the town of Irondequoit and village of Sodus Point to advance these important flood mitigation projects and ensure these shoreline communities are better prepared for future high-water events. Helping New York's coastal communities build back stronger and more resilient is how the State will continue to sustain local economies and protect public safety."
The first completed project in the town of Irondequoit, Monroe County, was awarded $1.8 million by the REDI Commission. Previously, homes on Bay Shore Boulevard along the western shore of Irondequoit Bay relied on individual, on-site septic systems for wastewater treatment. Because these homes are located directly on the shoreline approximately 15 feet below the roadway, during flood events leach fields were non-functional and partially treated wastewater flowed directly to the bay. The completed project mitigates these adverse flooding impacts and helps ensure continued, adequate sewage treatment and conveyance during high-water periods.
A low-pressure sewer and conveyance system at the Bay Village Complex was built to connect more than 20 homes to the new sanitary sewer. The new system connects to an existing sanitary sewer system which flows to the Frank E. Van Lare Wastewater Treatment Facility in Rochester, which is owned and operated by Monroe County.
Commissioner Seggos also announced the completion of a flood mitigation project in the village of Sodus Point, Wayne County. Lakestones Drive is located along the southern shore of Lake Ontario. High water levels and waves during severe storms caused extensive erosion along the shoreline and nearby properties, endangering homes and inundating area sanitary sewers. The REDI Commission awarded the village $342,000 to help address shoreline erosion and fortify wastewater infrastructure west of and along Lakestones Drive. Mitigation measures for this project included reconstructing the sanitary sewer main further back from the shoreline and stabilizing approximately 290 feet of adjacent Lake Ontario shoreline by installing a large armor stone rock revetment. The completed work will bolster the village's past flood mitigation efforts, including the placement of riprap, stone rubble, and concrete barriers, to protect the shoreline from further erosion and prevent the sanitary sewer main from collapsing.
New York State Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, "Enhanced resiliency, community revitalization and environmental protection come together with the completion of yet another transformative REDI project. The new sanitary sewer system is a vast improvement over the previous septic system and will help avoid damaging overflows in this area that compromised water quality in the past. The Department of State is proud to work with its agency partners to implement critical projects like this that build resilient and sustainable waterfronts for Lake Ontario homes, businesses, and communities."
Dormitory Authority of New York State President and CEO Reuben McDaniel III said, "The resiliency projects in Sodus Point, Irondequoit, and so many other communities along our waterfronts represents the positive outcomes that happen when government agencies cooperate and collaborate. DASNY is proud to contribute to resiliency and economic development initiatives, and thanks Governor Hochul for her leadership in the critically important work of protecting New York's homeowners, communities, and public health."
State Senator Samra Brouk said, "The completion of the Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative's sewer project on Bay Shore Boulevard marks the end of an era in which high waters posed serious threats to homeowners with individual septic systems. By creating a new sewer system in this neighborhood, we are not only easing the minds of homeowners, but are making a common-sense investment that protects the waters of the Irondequoit Bay. New York State must continue to invest in infrastructure that can withstand climate change and its associated effects."
Senator Pamela A. Helming said, "Thank you to Mayor Dave McDowell and the village of Sodus Point as well as State agency partners for their continued attention to the shoreline erosion that has affected our communities in recent years. The completion of this project strengthens critical infrastructure and protects local homeowners, businesses, and natural resources."
Assemblywoman Sarah Clark said, "The completion of the Bayshore Boulevard project is a much-needed improvement to the infrastructure along Irondequoit Bay. This change will help safeguard the public from potential health risks and contamination caused by high water levels and storm surges. This improvement is one more safeguard Irondequoit residents now have in place protecting their water supply from bacteria contamination and other threats. Thank you to the REDI Commission for investing in our local infrastructure and public health."
Assembly Member Brian D. Manktelow said, "We are pleased to see the REDI Commission completing another project in our community that will help address shoreline erosion and better protect our friends and neighbors in the Sodus Point community. Securing this shoreline shall provide peace and mind to the residents who have faced a receding shore and the impending damage to infrastructure. By including the reconstruction of the sanitary sewer main this project will bolster the village's previous flood mitigation efforts to protect their citizens. I applaud the efforts of the State for taking the initiative to protect our shoreline."
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, "As a longtime Irondequoit resident, I know how failing septic systems on Bay Shore Boulevard pose health risks to the community when the water levels of Lake Ontario are high. This project ensures those living near the Irondequoit Bay will have a functional sewer system that protects the public from contaminants and bacteria and increases overall environmental health. Thank you to New York State, the REDI commission, and Governor Hochul for investing to protect the health and safety of our residents."
Wayne County Chairman Philip Eygnor said, "The REDI program has continued to strengthen shorelines and fortify critical infrastructure in Wayne County. We are thankful to the Governor, the REDI Commissioner, and all state agency partners in ensuring that these important projects move from design to completion successfully."
Sodus Point Mayor Dave McDowell said, "I am pleased to see the completion of the Lakestones REDI project because it means that we have protected another vulnerable wastewater main as well as the adjacent shoreline. Crews have also taken out of service and disconnected the old main. New York's REDI program has been a very valuable tool for the village of Sodus Point, allowing us to further protect our shores and village from the ravages of high-water events like those that occurred in 2017 and 2019."
Town of Irondequoit Commissioner of Public Works Erin Magee said, "The completion of a sanitary sewer system for dozens of homes along Bay Shore Boulevard is a monumental win for the residents as well as all users of Irondequoit Bay. In the recent lakeshore flooding events, these septic systems became inundated with lake water and caused partially treated wastewater to enter the Bay. This construction project brings the conveyance of waste to the sanitary system for treatment, helping keep people in their homes during high water events in the future. This project also a significant environmental benefit for the water quality of Irondequoit Bay, reducing the nutrients entering the Bay that cause plant and algae growth. Irondequoit Bay throughout its history has been the focus of many environmental projects to improve water quality, so the Town is proud to bring this project to completion to further protect this beautiful water resource for our residents and visitors to the area. I thank the REDI Commission for recognizing the importance of this project and funding the resilience for our residences and the future of the Bay."
In response to the extended pattern of flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, New York State established REDI to increase the resilience of shoreline communities and bolster economic development in the region. Five REDI Regional Planning Committees, comprised of representatives from eight counties (Niagara and Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga and Oswego, and Jefferson and St. Lawrence) were established to identify local priorities, at-risk infrastructure and other assets, and public safety concerns. Through REDI, the State has committed up to $300 million, to benefit communities and improve resiliency in flood prone regions along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
Since the creation of the State's REDI program in the Spring of 2019, 134 REDI funded local and regional projects are underway, including 68 projects in the design phase, 25 projects in the construction phase, and 41 projects completed.
For additional information, project profiles and REDI news, visit the REDI website (leaves DEC website).
Nance Arquiett
DCEE, Region 6
317 Washington St
Watertown, NY 13601
