2006 News

September 14 , 2006

Bucks County Commissioners to take Lead Role in Flood Mitigation for Delaware River Communities
Seven Municipalities to Receive Grant Application Assistance

The Bucks County Board of Commissioners announced today that the county will serve as primary agent in the application for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for seven Bucks County municipalities located along the Delaware River basin.

Participating municipalities include Yardley Borough, Morrisville Borough, Tinicum Twp., Upper Makefield Twp., New Hope Borough, Riegelsville Borough and Plumstead Twp. Parks and Recreation Director William Mitchell will coordinate efforts on behalf of the seven participating municipalities, each of whom passed a resolution requesting the county to act as their agent.

“When a particular municipality experiences a flood, it has a wide-reaching affect on homeowners and families, businesses, emergency responders, service organizations, municipalities, and county government,” noted Chairman Jim Cawley. “Because of the breadth of this issue, we felt it was essential for the county to be a part of the solution.”

Under the auspices of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Emergency Assistance Act, more commonly known as the Hazard Mitigation Act, the commissioners will apply for FEMA and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) funding, at a respective funding ratio of 75 percent/25 percent, on behalf of the municipalities to either buy or elevate properties within the flood plain.

The seven-community Delaware River program will closely mirror the county’s highly successful buyout and elevation programs along the Neshaminy Creek watershed buyout/elevation program, under which 100 homes have been razed and converted to open space, while another 45 have been elevated. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has partnered with Bucks County in the venture, which has allowed for residents who have selected elevations to remain out of harm’s way during several recent floods.

Thus far, Mr. Mitchell anticipates 28 acquisition and 68 elevation applications from the seven participating municipalities.