Aiming to prevent recurrent floods in northeastern Pennsylvania and help victims recover, Rep. Jim Wansacz (D-Luzerne) has introduced a plan to generate and provide funding for flood mitigation projects across the state.

House Bill 1989 would establish the Flood Assistance Program and Fund.

“Recurring floods in recent years have caused severe destruction and irreparable damage across Pennsylvania and had staggering costs for residents and businesses, totaling in the millions of dollars,” Rep. Wansacz said.

"Some communities across our state have been devastated repeatedly due to flood waters," Rep. Wansacz said. "It is often the same homes and small businesses over and over again, and sadly a lot of the damage is preventable if we just employed the proper prevention measures in advance of heavy rains."

Rep. Wansacz's proposal has two parts. It would provide money for flood prevention projects -- for example, to dredge river and creek beds, and to construct, maintain or improve dams, reservoirs and levees. Secondly, the fund would provide assistance to residents, businesses and municipalities that sustain damage as a result of a flood.

The initiative would be funded through an annual $1 surcharge on all homeowners' insurance and business owners' property insurance policies.

"With the small investment of $1 per year, we can support innovative projects to mitigate flood damage before it occurs and to help those whose property is damaged or destroyed as a result of flood waters," Rep. Wansacz said. "Because the flooding is a statewide issue, the small fee would be shouldered by the many instead of the few."

Wansacz's plan has over 65 co-sponsors representing both parties and all regions of the state.

11/2/2007