Decisions on flood fixes loom

The South Valley Stream Community Reconstruction Program planning committee is in the process of determining the best way to utilize $3 million in New York state funding to improve the community’s infrastructure in order to prevent damage from future storms.

The group, made up of community members, hosted a public meeting on Monday to bring residents up to date on its work, and had state consultants on hand to answer questions. The Community Reconstruction Program area includes Mill Brook, the neighborhood around South High School, and the area of North Woodmere around Ogden Elementary School.

About 25 residents considered five potential project categories in which the funds could be spent — managing tidal flow; retaining storm water; reinforcing the power grid; strengthening communication and coordination; and maintaining and enhancing economic viability. Each category had its own subset of potential projects — there were 25 in all.

Over the next week, committee members, based on discussions and residents’ feedback, will prioritize the projects and submit their thoughts to the consultants.

Committee members and consultants alike said that the main problem facing the community is the water flowing into neighborhood creeks from Jamaica Bay. During Hurricane Sandy’s tidal surge, the creeks overflowed, and dozens of homes were damaged. Parts of Mill Brook were without power for nearly two months.

“The main problem is the bulkheads and shorelines,” said Marc Tenzer, president of the Mill Brook Civic Association and chairman of the CRP committee, “but before we do all that, we have to stop the root of the problem, which is where the water’s coming from.”

The South Valley Stream committee was scheduled to meet with representatives of the Five Towns and South Queens committees on Wednesday to discuss potential projects for Jamaica Bay. Niek Veraart, the director of environmental planning for the Louis Berger Group, said there are additional funds available when the committees collaborate with one another.