United Shoreline plans rally about lake levels on Friday at Orleans County Marine Park
Provided photo: Tim Call shared this photo on July 2 of his backyard in Hamlin. Normally he would have a nice view of the lake, but he had to build up a berm to fight flooding and erosion.
POINT BREEZE – A new organization that was formed by lakeshore residents who have lost chunks of their backyards to the high lake Ontario is holding a rally on Friday.
United Shoreline will gather at 7 p.m. at the Orleans County Marine Park, 1110 Point Breeze Rd. (Route 98)
State Sen. Robert Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) are both expected to speak at the rally and discuss a flood relief package approved by the State Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Some of the state relief programs are being managed by Pathstone for Orleans County residents. Pathstone Director Susan Boss will be on hand to field questions on the grant application process and will have hard copies of the applications to distribute.
Dale Banker, director of the Orleans County Emergency management Office, will also address the group.
In addition, the Governor’s Office Mobile Command Center will be on site during the meeting for DEC permits and insurance claim assistance.
The Mobile Command Centers and DEC Permitting Offices will be at the Marine Park on Friday from 10 am to 8 p.m. They are scheduled to be back at the Marine Park on July 22, July 26 and July 30.
United Shoreline held its first rally last month in Kendall and then in Hamlin. The group is looking for a solution to the water levels and looks for proactive management to avoid the same flooding and erosion again next spring.
“Simply put, we need the shoreline fixed and we don’t want to be having this same discussion next year!” United Shoreline member Dawn Herbeck said in an email.
