Red Tape Logjam Cleared: Sheldrake River Dredging Project Underway

MAMARONECK, NY — A long-awaited and oft-delayed dredging project is now underway in the Village of Mamamroneck.

The dredging begins as the village marks the two-year anniversary of deadly flooding caused by Hurricane Ida.

According to officials, the Village of Mamaroneck only recently received all of its approvals from New York State and the federal government to begin the project.

"Receiving all necessary approvals, after jumping through innumerable hoops, allows us to bring an outside contractor in to begin dredging which will increase the capacity of our rivers to contain storm water," Mayor Tom Murphy said in a statement released on Thursday morning. "For months Village workers have been working in the rivers to clear obstructions and debris that has accumulated over the years and after storms. The dredging will enhance and compliment the hard work that our staff has been doing.

SEE ALSO:

• State Dragging Feet On Flood Mitigation Dredging: Mamaroneck Officials
• Mamaroneck Sheldrake Flood Project Gets $17.5M Boost In NY Budget
• Mayor Murphy Reports 'Real Progress' On Mamaroneck Dredging Plans
• State Dragging Feet On Flood Mitigation Dredging: Mamaroneck Officials
• Community Flood Mitigation Forums Set As Major Projects Go Forward
• Mamaroneck Flood Mitigation Project Green-Lit
• Swollen Rivers, 'No Widespread Flooding' In Mamaroneck After Deluge
• Village of Mamaroneck Passes $1.36M Resolution For Emergency Dredging
• Village Declares Emergency After State Classifies Dam 'Unsound'

Just as the work of clearing the river made a dent in the nearby neighborhoods' flooding problems, it is hoped that dredging will help those home and business owners rest a little easier when Mother Nature sends overwhelming rains. But, these efforts alone won't solve the historic flood troubles.

A multi-million dollar federally funded Army Corps of Engineers project is expected to offer a long-term solution for the flooding concerns along the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake rivers. That project will start in the coming months.

"The generations of inaction, negativity and delay on flood protection for our residents is finally over," Murphy wrote. "We will do what we can, when we can, where we can to protect the lives, property and piece of mind of our residents. Mamaroneck needs aggressive and effective flood mitigation to remain the vibrant, thriving and wonderful community that we have all come to love and cherish."

SEE ALSO:

• Schumer Demands New Army Brass Approve Mamaroneck Flood Project
• 'Enough Is Enough,' Lawmakers Demand Flood Mitigation Project
• Mamaroneck Flood Mitigation Project To Move Forward: Schumer
• $1.5B To Allow Mamaroneck Flood Mitigation Construction: Schumer
• 'Counting Blessings': Mamaroneck Neighborhood's Tense Night
• S. Westchester Flood Crisis Stretches First Responders: Photos

The movement made in recent weeks represents tangible steps toward the fufillment of promises made by village, county, state and federal officials in the days following the tragic fallout from Ida.