Before I launch into the meat of the article about who is coming to town, and its not Santa, I want to focus on the last two grafs from the Hour article:

Alvord, who also may attend today’s discussion, said erosion, stones, boulders and gravel — not sedimentation — are the principle reasons for flooding. He rejected that building another dam will eliminate flooding along the river and expressed skepticism that the state or Army Corps will offer any solutions.

“I’m going to be shocked if anyone from the state or federal government … suggests that they’re going to build a wall to protect every property owner,” Alvord said. “There will be a lot of discussion about that dam. My opinion is that putting the dam back isn’t going to change a damned thing.”

It would seem that Mr. Director of Public Works is crankypants on this issue. Why wouldn’t he be? Flooding is happening in every corner of Norwalk, and this blog is full of flooding issues. He must be tired hering about all these flooding ussues, yet solutions and actions seem slower and less focused than they should be. It would also seem that other towns seem to be doing actual things about flooding, whereas in Norwalk, we get some bureaucratic flunkies to sweep in, say its not a state problem and leave. I’m having trouble understanding this.

In Darien, the most excellent blog, darien flooding covers the issue in depth.

Previous coverage here rounds up the area flooding issues and actions.

In Fairfield:

Tuesday, September 25th

Rooster River Flood Control Project

Fairfield’s Democratic legislative team announced Monday the successful passage of Senate Bill #1501 providing the initial approval for $17 million for the Rooster River flood mitigation project.

Rooster River flooding has plagued Fairfield communities during three storms over the past two years. The floods not only damaged many homes, commercial and residential properties, but have also churned up solid waste into streets, basements and Long Island Sound.

“Together residents, legislators from both parties, and town officials testified at a hearing last winter and their efforts paid off,” said Representative Drew.

“We told the legislature our story and they listened,” Representative Fawcett said.

“Though our town has done a terrific job of cleaning up after previous storms, we must address the cause of the flooding and prevent future occurrences,” Rep. Christiano pointed out.

“We are thrilled to have successfully convinced the legislature that this problem should be a spending priority,” said Fawcett, but she also noted the legislature’s work is only half of the process in actually bringing the money home.

“State Bonding is a two step process. The legislature authorizes (or prioritizes) a list of spending projects and the Governor has final authority to appropriate those funds,” Rep. Fawcett said. “While I am confident that the Governor will ultimately choose to fund our project, we still have one more hoop to jump through to finalize the project spending.”

Rep. Drew further explained, “Many members of the public may have been recently reading of the current negotiations and controversy between the legislature and the Governor regarding state wide bonding authorization. I am hopeful important investments such as this Rooster River project, Long Island Sound clean water funding, and mass transit investments do not become victims of the current negotiations. These investments are not only essential to our quality of life but also to our economic success.”

The three legislators expressed how important it was to the project that they were able to work as a team and cross party lines with Sen. John McKinney to engage in negotiating details of the funding.

Posted by: Chris Licata
House Democrats
Press Secretary

Seems like House Dems took care of Fairfield flooding issues.

Now onto the article:

State and federal officials will view up close this week the Five Mile River, a persistent source of flooding for many West Norwalk residents.

This afternoon, the West Norwalk Association plans to take officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state Department of Environmental Protection on a walking tour of the river.

“We’ve had serious flooding in the past year and a half (along) the Five Mile River. There are at least a dozen neighborhoods that have experienced flooding,” said Robert Wagman, association board member. “We think one of the major reasons is the river’s badly silted. But we look to the people from the Army Corps to shed some light on that. We’re not experts, we’re just the victims.”

Afterward, residents and officials will meet at the West Norwalk Meeting House to discuss flooding along the Five Mile River, which flows through West Norwalk and Rowayton before emptying into Long Island Sound.
State Sen. Bob Duff, D-25, majority whip, plans to attend the meeting. Reducing flooding along the Five Mile River will come down to “money and coordination,” according to Duff.

“(And) there may be some things that people can do to help prevent this. The best thing we can do is hear from the DEP and Army Corps as to what things can be done,” Duff said.

State Rep. Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., R-142, minority leader, has arranged to meet Friday along the river with residents and “numerous Department of Environmental Protection officials.” Cafero said the purpose is to facilitate a direct discussion between homeowners and the state “that will clearly lay out the local concerns.”

“It is important to make sure this effort to deal with the flooding is coordinated on the local, state and federal levels,” Cafero said. “Communicating our local concerns all the way up the chain of command is critical.”

It seems Norwalk could do better.

source: The Hour, Officials address Five Mile River flood prevention, by , November 27, 2007