ALBANY - The state Department of Environmental Conservation and state Department of State will collaborate to create a multi-agency group to promote community revitalization, environmental sustainability and flood-hazard risk reduction in the Mohawk River valley, the state agencies announced Thursday.
In addition, U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, unveiled his proposed new legislation, the Hudson-Mohawk River Basin Commission, at Union College in Schenectady on Thursday.
The commission would carry out projects and conduct research on water resources in the basin, which stretches across five states. The proposed commission would unite local communities, economies and heritage areas of the Northeast, a news release from Tonko's office said.
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U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko speaks Thursday at the Mighty Waters Conference at Union College in Schenectady.
Photo courtesy of Union College
Gov. Andrew Cuomo directed the state agencies to establish the Mohawk River group, which will include representatives from the Economic Development Councils and state agencies. The state group will further the goals of Tonko's proposed commission, a state news release said.
"I commend Gov. Cuomo's leadership on our shared vision of waterfront development and economic revitalization," Tonko said in his news release.