Binghamton Begins Flood Wall Inspections (USA)

Mayor Richard C. David announced that JAMKO Technical Solutions will begin video inspections of flood wall conduits as required by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

“Regardless of how the City missed the 2012 inspection deadline, our focus must be to complete the required inspections prior to the April 30 deadline,” said Mayor David. “We are also taking measures to ensure the City does not miss future deadlines, especially in the critical area of flood prevention.”

On March 11, 2014 the NYSDEC notified the City it had until April 30, 2014 to conduct video inspections to prevent a reclassification of its flood wall control structure as “unacceptable,” which could jeopardize future federal funding. After being notified, the City immediately initiated a process to indentify a firm to conduct the inspections.

It chose JAMKO Technical Solutions, of Lyons, N.Y., a firm which has provided similar services directly to the NYSDEC and has experience with USACE requirements.

It will take roughly two weeks to inspect and compile reports on the 54 conduits that penetrate the City’s levee system.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds will cover the cost of the project, estimated at $55,000.

Project costs were originally estimated at $100,000.

After field surveys and discussions with the NYSDEC outlining the scope of work, the actual number of pipes needed to be inspected was less.

On March 19, Mayor David wrote to both the NYSDEC and USACE expressing concern about previous missed deadlines and updated the agencies on the City’s immediate actions to address the situation.

Mayor David also requested both agencies add the Mayor to the list of people copied in on all future communication concerning flood control. As part of Mayor David’s review of how the City missed the 2012 inspection deadline, he also requested a copy of all correspondence both agencies have with the City of Binghamton regarding flood wall inspections from 2008 to present.

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Press Release, April 3, 2014