Abinanti Calls on Governor to Sign Westchester Inland Waterway Bills

In a letter to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Assemblyman Tom Abinanti (D-Greenburgh/Mt. Pleasant) urged the Governor to sign three pieces of legislation designating the Saw Mill River (A.2120), Bronx River (A.3586) and Pocantico River (A.5168) -- all within the 92nd Assembly District -- as inland waterways.

This designation would make the municipalities surrounding the rivers eligible to apply for grants under the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

“I represent some of the communities affected and know their desire to see these designations,” said Abinanti, in the letter.

The legislation was requested by each river’s Watershed Advisory Board – an inter-municipal task force established by the Westchester County Board of Legislators. As Chair of the Board’s Environment & Energy Committee at the time, Abinanti drafted and shepherded to passage the Westchester storm water management law which established these watershed advisory boards.

“As a Westchester County legislator for 19 years, I heard the pleas from these communities for action to help prevent continued devastation of homes and businesses from these rivers’ storm water flooding,” said Abinanti.

The bills, sponsored by Assemblyman Buchwald (D-White Plains) and co-sponsored by Assemblyman Abinanti, await the Governor’s action.