The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued an emergency declaration to help communities in Steuben County rebuild critical infrastructure after severe storms and flash flooding. The action authorizes DEC to expedite necessary permit reviews for work to repair infrastructure and structures on and over waterways, restore waterway channel capacity, and perform other activities necessary to restore public safety. To advance these efforts, DEC will conduct site visits, meet with property owners and local leaders, and offer technical guidance to review all emergency permit applications received.

“I’ve seen first-hand the damage and devastation wrought by flooding after severe storms across New York’s Southern Tier,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “This emergency declaration will help expedite the critical work necessary to bring communities and infrastructure back on-line and restore quality of life.”

Region 8 will utilize the Statewide General Permit for stream activities in Steuben County, including emergency stream repair work in protected waterbodies following a natural disaster. General Permits help communities rebuild by avoiding the process of seeking individual site-specific permits. Parties must apply to DEC for coverage under the permit before beginning work in a stream, including but not limited to: stream restoration; backfilling; stabilization; or infrastructure repair that would create a disturbance to the stream. DEC considers such coverage on a case-by-case basis. 

DEC allows pumping out flood waters from residential structures without a permit. If possible, property owners are advised to pump water to a grassy area so that solids can settle out before entering nearby waterbodies. In the event that any water encountered during the flood recovery is impacted by petroleum, chemicals, or other hazardous materials, property owners are advised to immediately contact DEC’s Spill hotline (1-800-457-7362) prior to addressing any flood waters.

For more information, go to https://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/96337.html. To assist with permits needed from recent flooding impacts and for a determination on whether proposed work requires a DEC permit or approval, please contact the DEC Regional Permit Administrator Thomas Haley, 6274 East Avon-Lima Rd., Avon, NY 14414-9519, call 585-226-5400, or email dep.r8@dec.ny.gov.