U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Buffalo District economists Stephen Stalikas and Nathan Pfisterer will be conducting first floor elevation surveys and a windshield tour of residential and commercial properties in the village of Gowanda, New York, October 13th through November 15th to support the Thatcher Brook Flood Study.
The village of Gowanda at the same time will be asking for commercial property owners within the village to voluntarily meet with the USACE economists. The economists will assist with completing an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved commercial damage survey to better understand the damages flooding causes to these properties.
“The data collected from this effort will provide the study team with a more accurate understanding of flood damages, and enable the formulation of a plan which will reduce the risks from future floods,” said Matthew Burkett, USACE Buffalo District project manager.
The goal of the Thatcher Book Flood Study is to determine if there is a cost effective, technically feasible, and environmentally sustainable alternative that would reduce the risk of future flood events in the study area.
“A successful study will result in the recommendation of a plan to reduce the risk of harm to people and property in Gowanda. The implementation of this plan would be subject to the availability of federal funds and the ability of the sponsor to share in the costs,” Burkett said.
The total study cost has been estimated to be $1 million and is cost shared evenly between the USACE and the project sponsor, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Other project partners include the village of Gowanda, Cattaraugus County, and Erie County.
A copy of the letter being sent to property owners can be found at: http://1.usa.gov/1QxV8dS
A copy of the OMB approved commercial property survey can be found at: http://1.usa.gov/1FtHKqH
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Release no. 15-023