Opinion: A long overdue response to groundwater flooding in Southeast Queens

Southeast Queens has long been the forgotten corner of New York City when it comes to infrastructure and environmental justice. For decades, our residents have faced a persistent and devastating issue that threatens the very foundation of their homes: groundwater flooding. The rising water table in our neighborhoods has led to widespread property damage, created health hazards and financially burdened homeowners. It’s time for real, coordinated action, and Int 1067-2024 in the New York City Council, coupled with the state’s HCR Resilience Retrofit Program, presents a crucial opportunity to address this crisis head-on.

As elected representatives of Southeast Queens, we have heard the frustrations and fears of our constituents. We know that this problem didn’t develop overnight. According to U.S. Geological Survey data, the groundwater table in our community has risen approximately 40 feet since the 1970s. Much of this can be traced back to the cessation of operations by the Jamaica Water Supply Company, which for over a century pumped groundwater as the primary source of drinking water for our region. When the Jamaica Water Supply Company ceased operations in 1996, control of the groundwater system was transferred to the city of New York. However, the city stopped pumping the groundwater in 2007, resulting in a steadily rising water table and the subsequent chronic flooding that has plagued our community ever since.

Our residents have faced this nightmare with little relief. We’ve seen basements turned into swamps, foundations undermined and portions of homes rendered uninhabitable. Yet, despite the magnitude of this problem, there has been a glaring lack of long-term solutions. That is why we are pushing forward with Int 1067-2024, which aims to create an action plan that directly engages the community, ensuring that the very people most impacted by this crisis are at the heart of the solution.

Int 1067-2024 would require the city Department of Environmental Protection to issue a request for proposals for a community-based organization to identify residential properties in Queens Community Boards 12 and 13 that have been damaged by groundwater flooding. This organization will serve as a critical bridge between residents and the retrofit repair assistance they need, providing case management support to guide homeowners through the repair process. The organization will also ensure residents are kept informed through annual targeted mailings, making sure that information reaches those who need it most.

Additionally, the community-based organization will submit an annual report detailing the number of affected properties, the type and extent of damage sustained, the estimated cost of repairs and recommendations for improving existing assistance programs. This data will not only provide transparency but also allow the Department of Environmental Protection and other city agencies to understand the full scope of the problem and respond accordingly.

The bill also establishes an interagency task force that will be charged with recommending changes in the law and report on studies underway on groundwater levels in Southeast Queens. We need to ensure that this issue is tackled from all angles, with comprehensive coordination between city and state agencies.

But city action alone won’t be enough. The city of New York is prohibited from creating its own retrofit program due to Article VIII, Section 1 of the New York State Constitution, which is also known as the “Gift Clause.” We need to leverage every resource available to protect our homeowners, which is why we are also pushing for increased cooperation with the state’s HCR Resilience Retrofit Program and similar programs. This program offers grants and loans of up to $50,000 for homeowners affected by flooding to make critical home improvements. These improvements can help mitigate flood damage, enhance climate resiliency and safeguard properties against future weather-related events.

While this program exists, it is underutilized by many homeowners in Southeast Queens due to lack of awareness or technical barriers in navigating the application process. Int 1067-2024 would work in tandem with the Resilience Retrofit Program and similar programs, ensuring that impacted homeowners can access these funds and receive the necessary support to complete their applications. We must work together as a city and state to make sure our residents are not directed to a locked door of state programs that do not assist them. The community-based organization we propose contracting with will serve as a direct link between homeowners and this much-needed state assistance, making sure no eligible family is left behind.

The flooding issues in Southeast Queens are severe, and without swift action, they will only get worse. Our community deserves a coordinated and sustained effort that addresses the root causes of groundwater flooding and provides immediate relief to those suffering from its effects. Int 1067-2024 and the HCR Resilience Retrofit Program are key to turning the tide on this long-standing issue.

We call on our colleagues in city and state government to join us in supporting this bill and the necessary collaboration between city and state agencies. Together, we can ensure that the people of Southeast Queens are no longer forgotten and that our neighborhoods are safeguarded for generations to come.

It’s time for real, meaningful action on groundwater flooding in Southeast Queens. Our residents have waited long enough.