The Town of Olive will launch a Local Flood Analysis on April 14 at the regularly scheduled Town Board meeting. The flood analysis identifies and compares actions that reduce flood damages in the hamlets of Boiceville and West Shokan. The engineering analysis will generate information to guide Town Board decision making about which projects move forward to implementation. The Town selected consulting firm Woidt Engineering and its subcontractor Atkins Global to carry out computer modeling, planning, and public outreach for the project. Boiceville is situated on Route 28 along the Esopus Creek. West Shokan is located near the confluence of the Bushkill with the Ashokan Reservoir. Solutions to be evaluated may include stream and floodplain restoration, redesign of bridge infrastructure, flood proofing buildings and other ideas for reducing flood extent and elevation in the hamlets. The Town received a grant from AWSMP to cover full project costs. The first public meeting to gather input on flood issues and solutions will be scheduled soon. Town Supervisor Sylvia Rozzelle has invited residents to be notified of flood meetings.
The Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program is a collaborative effort of New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County and Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District.