FEMA awards nearly $1.4M to restore River Walk West in Oswego

FEMA is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“The flooding of Lake Ontario in 2017 and again this year has devastated shoreline communities and recreational spaces such as Oswego’s River

Walk and the regional economy right alongside it,” Schumer said. “This funding is a critical investment that will help the City of Oswego restore the River Walk’s shoreline, improve its resiliency to future extreme weather events and ensure the lakeshore economy continues to thrive.”

The shoreline of Lake Ontario was declared a major disaster in 2017 after “extreme flooding caused severe” damage in the spring and summer of that year, making communities like Oswego eligible for FEMA assistance. “Extreme” flooding has again plagued the Lake Ontario shoreline in 2019 and the senators said this funding will help repair the damage along Oswego’s River Walk West.

“This funding will allow for the full repair of the west linear walkway, an important piece to Oswego’s waterfront. While the high water levels along Lake Ontario remain a challenge and continue to Cause new damage, we are appreciative of the funding made available to repair this popular walkway and will continue to address other areas of damage moving forward,” Oswego Mayor William Barlow, Jr. said.

FEMA provided this funding through its public assistance grant program (PA), which provides grants to government organizations and private nonprofit organizations after an official major disaster declaration. The purpose of PA is to help communities recover from and respond to disasters and emergencies quickly.

The PA is authorized under section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, per the news release.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com