About the Program
Since its inception in 2016, the Sauquoit Creek Channel & Floodplain Restoration Program has evolved into the largest program of its kind in New York State. This program is an ongoing effort to determine and implement the improvements needed to alleviate historical flooding along the Sauquoit Creek in the Town of Whitestown, Oneida County.
Due to the success of this innovative program, it is being used as a model throughout the State on how communities can actively become more resilient to flooding due to climate change. It is an example for other municipalities in the Sauquoit Creek Basin as well as other nearby watersheds.
Program Details
The Sauquoit Creek Channel & Floodplain Restoration Program is a holistic approach consisting of five major components:
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Mitigation (natural approach; construction of floodplain benches)
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Adaptation (residential property buy-out: NRCS/Town of Whitestown Program)
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Infrastructure Improvements (bridges and culverts)
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Floodplain Management (smarter development)
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Debris Management (routine maintenance)
Collectively, the components of the Sauquoit Creek Channel & Floodplain Restoration provide the greatest flood stage benefit and/or reduction. It will also help to assist those affected by repetitive flooding and protect against future loss in the most effective manner.
Adaptation
The adaptation component involves the potential buyout of repetitive flood-loss residential properties in the Village of Whitesboro, using federal funding secured through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Recovery Program. The Town of Whitestown will acquire those properties that opt to participate in the program. The value of the property is based on the appraised fair market value as of the day before the 2019 Halloween Storm. At the end of the process, the Town of Whitestown becomes the property owner. The land purchased must remain forever “green” in accordance with NRCS regulations.