Governor Kathy Hochul announced today the completion of a series of resiliency projects in the town of Hamlin and town of Webster, Monroe County. Together, the completed projects were awarded nearly $10.4 million in grant funding through the State’s Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative. Now complete, these REDI projects will help mitigate the impact of future high-water events by improving and protecting critical public water infrastructure from inundation and disruption, help keep popular public spaces like Sandbar Park open, and ensure safe uninterrupted travel along Lake Road.

“Many shoreline communities along Lake Ontario bore the brunt of climate change’s effects through severe storms and historic flooding events of 2019, but through New York’s REDI program, we are making strategic investments to make the region safer for its residents and visitors,” Governor Hochul said. “As we look to the future, protecting the people who live in these communities is a top priority, and shoreline resiliency projects like the ones completed in the town of Webster and Hamlin will help mitigate flooding, enhance safety, protect public recreation spaces, and create sustainable infrastructure.”

In 2019, Lake Ontario saw record high water levels resulting in devastating flooding in communities that call the lakeshore home. These events forced emergency road closures, caused degradation of public infrastructure, inundations and disruptions of septic systems, and restricted public use of popular tourist destinations, which negatively impacted public safety and local economies.

Today’s announcement includes:

• Lakeshore Septic Systems, town of Hamlin, award $7,900,000 – Residents along the town of Hamlin lakeshore depend on on-site sewage disposal systems, or leach field systems. During periods of flooding these systems are rendered ineffective and pose a potential risk of contamination to Lake Ontario. To mitigate health risks to users and negative impacts to the environment, this project included the construction of a new public wastewater collection system. The town of Hamlin installed 60,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer force main and associated appurtenances (including individual grinder pump stations) which connected over 290 homes along Lake Ontario to a public sanitary sewer system and ultimately to the Monroe County Northwest Quadrant Wastewater Treatment Facility for treatment and disposal.
• Lake Road (West End), town of Webster, award $1,500,000- Lake Road is the single means of access to more than 70 homes and local businesses. The roadway was lacking an adequate storm sewer system and flooded during storm events and periods of high lake levels. Flood mitigation measures for this project included raising and realigning approximately 2,000 linear feet of Lake Road and installing a closed drainage system with outlets to Irondequoit Bay. The completed project will ensure continued safe passage for both residents and visitors, as well as emergency responders.
• Sandbar Park, town of Webster, award $748,000- Sandbar Park, a town-owned park located on Lake Road with waterfront access to both Lake Ontario and Irondequoit Bay, is a popular destination, drawing in both local residents and visitors from across the State. This project included the installation of a masonry flood wall and living shoreline embankment stabilization. The completed project will allow for continued use of the park during times of high water, promoting the local tourist economy.
• Sandbar Wastewater Pump Station (WWPS), town of Webster, award $250,000- The Monroe County Department of Environmental Services (MCDES) Division of Engineering Sandbar wastewater pump station control building, including a standby generator constructed at an elevation vulnerable to water intrusion from Irondequoit Bay during times of flooding. To mitigate future flooding, a new masonry flood wall was constructed around the pump station to keep water from directly flowing into the building and damaging electrical and mechanical equipment.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said “Throughout the REDI process, New York State has deployed the technical expertise and assistance needed to rebuildshoreline communities smarter and stronger than before, setting the bar for state and local collaboration. Today marks a significant milestone for these projects and affirms Governor Hochul’s commitment to helping prepare Lake Ontario communities for future climate-driven extreme weather.”

New York State Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “The Towns of Hamlin and Webster experienced significant flooding in 2019 that caused tremendous damage to their vital shorelines and public infrastructure. Through these completed projects funded through the State’s REDI program, we have not only repaired this damage, but we’ve built back these lakefront communities better and more resilient than they were before. These projects also complement the Department of State’s longstanding engagement with the Town of Webster through our Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, including a $2.4 million grant for improvements to Sandbar Park.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The Monroe County flood resiliency projects are the latest of many successful REDI sites that are helping to protect waterfront communities from damaging floods. Governor Hochul’s REDI Commission is proud to be boosting Monroe County businesses that are dependent on a vibrant tourism industry by completing projects that include elevating of a roadway to protect from flooding, improving a park, and upgrading a pump station to prevent damage from flood waters.”

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “The ever-present impacts of climate change mean that now, more than ever, the health and well-being of our communities are tied to the resiliency of our infrastructure, and today we have helped ensure Monroe County’s future success. Communities along Lake Ontario’s southern shores know all too well the devastating impacts flooding can bring. That is why, under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul, the REDI program continues to deliver investments that bolster our infrastructure, protect residents, and secure the long-term vitality of our regional economies.

New York State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “Outdoor recreation is vital to tourism and the quality of life in Lake Ontario communities. I applaud the town of Webster and our state agency partners for working together on projects to make sure Sandbar Park is accessible and reliable for the community.”

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “I thank Governor Hochul for her continued support of the flood recovery of Lake Ontario shoreline communities. By investing in infrastructure, we are ensuring that communities can stand strong during future natural disaster events.”

State Senator Robert Ortt said, “One of the many reasons the district I represent is so special are the unique and quaint communities along Lake Ontario’s shoreline. Ensuring that these communities receive crucial infrastructure and investment is essential to ensure that they are fortified from future water level rises and threats to public health as we saw in recent years. I am proud to have helped secure this funding so that these communities and their residents can remain safe from future natural disaster events.”

State Senator Samra Brouk said, “As our community continues to feel the effects of climate change, it is vital that we continue to make investments that can protect our communities from the results of extreme weather events. The projects that are being celebrated today are important parts of that ongoing work, and I look forward to continuing my work with my partners in government to ensure that New York remains a leader in combating climate change.

Assemblymember Stephen Hawley said, “I’m glad to see the completion of this REDI project in Hamlin. I’ve seen firsthand the damage caused by flooding in the region and the public health issues it creates. These upgrades to the sewage disposal systems were much needed and will go a long way toward protecting our community.”

Assemblymember Brian Manktelow said, “These projects are a serious step forward in improving the infrastructure around Lake Road in the town of Webster. I applaud Supervisor Flaherty and the Town Board for prioritizing these projects which will help improve public safety and the local economy by reducing flooding and promoting tourism. This is a major step in helping the citizens of Webster forget the flooding of 2019 and fight to make sure we do not experience it again.”

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, “Mitigating the impacts of climate change by reinforcing our infrastructure is the right thing to do,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “Our shoreline communities deserve first-class facilities and infrastructure that can be resilient during storms and the most extreme water levels on Lake Ontario and Irondequoit Bay. Thank you to Gov. Hochul and our State agency partners for recognizing these needs in Webster and Hamlin and making thoughtful investments to protect Sandbar Park, Lake Road and the Sandbar Wastewater Pump Station and extend public sewer service along the Lake Ontario State Parkway.”

Hamlin Town Supervisor Steve Baase said, “The Lakeshore Septic Sewer project was a big haul made easier by the partnership with New York State and with the help of the REDI Team. The new infrastructure will be stronger and more reliable during times of flooding, which is critical to the health and wellbeing of our residences along the lake’s shoreline.”

Webster Town Supervisor Tom Flaherty said, “The upgrades and improvements made to the Sandbar Park location will benefit the entire community for years to come. The intent to create a ‘destination’ in Webster has been accomplished in the last two years. Flooding will no longer be a concern and the accessibility to the entire park will allow, for anyone who wishes to visit, the opportunity to enjoy the scenery of both Lake Ontario and Irondequoit 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 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 28 projects in the design phase, 30 projects in the construction phase, and 76 projects completed.

In addition to the REDI awards, the town of Webster was awarded $2,282,859 in grant funding from DOS through the 2021 Environmental Protection Fund Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (EPF LWRP) to be utilized for Sandbar Park improvements. On the Lakeside of the park, new parking, public restrooms, a public gathering space, and a children’s natural play area, connected by a lakefront promenade will be constructed. On the bayside, new floating docks, an accessible kayak launch, open lawn areas, and new parking facilities will be constructed. All of these improvements will provide enhanced access and create a welcoming space for residents and visitors alike.

DOS previously awarded the town of Webster an EPF LWRP grant award for $118,000 to complete design of Sandbar Park improvements.

For additional information, project profiles and REDI news, click here.

New York State Water Quality Investments

In addition to REDI, New York State is making other record investments to improve water infrastructure and increase water quality. The 2023-24 Enacted Budget includes $500 million in clean water funding, bringing New York State’s total investment in clean water infrastructure statewide to $5 billion since 2017. In the New York’s Great Lakes Basin, funding – primarily through State Environmental Facilities Corp. – provided approximately $2 billion in both grants (from the Water Infrastructure and Improvement Act and Intermunicipal Grant funds) and low-cost financing to 615 distinct projects of New York State. DEC provided another $258 million for more than 280 projects in the region.

In addition, New York voters approved the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act in November 2022. Governor Hochul and the State Legislature increased from $3 billion to a record-setting $4.2 billion to make it the largest environmental bond in state history and the first in New York since 1996. The Bond Act advances historic levels of funding to update aging water infrastructure and protect water quality, strengthen communities’ ability to withstand severe storms and flooding, reduce air pollution and lower climate-altering emissions, restore habitats, preserve outdoor spaces and local farms, and ensure equity by investing at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of resources in disadvantaged communities.

In the 2023-24 State of the State, Governor Hochul also launched Community Assistance Teams this year to expand the State Environmental Facilities Corporation’s technical assistance program and help small, rural, and disadvantaged communities leverage this funding to address their clean water infrastructure needs.