In December 2023, Broome County was awarded a grant from the NYS Department of State Environmental Protection Fund Smart Growth Countywide Resiliency Planning Program to develop a Countywide Resiliency Plan (CRP). This plan will provide a land use tool for establishing a vision, short and long term goals, policies, programs and projects to enhance the County’s overall resiliency and develop ongoing adaptability to rapidly changing environmental conditions and forces.
The CRP will build upon existing documents, institutional knowledge, public participation, and, in some areas, provide new analyses. The purpose is to identify risks and vulnerabilities related to anticipated climatic changes associated with increase in frequency and severity of weather events and other identified hazards, inform the selection of prioritized resilience-based projects, evaluate the impacts of competing land use priorities, and ensure regional planning and investment decisions are shaped by community needs and priorities.
The CRP will also aim to prepare for changing hydrology. The plan will take a holistic approach to address the need for upgraded infrastructure with attention to an expanded floodplain, failing levees and climate change. The plan will also consider economic co-benefits to infrastructure improvements and look to incorporate recreational and alternative transportation to encourage community among residents
When complete, the Broome County Countywide Resiliency Plan will serve as another tool for our jurisdictions as they make the difficult decisions necessary to support resiliency measures. Having a CRP will help position Broome County as a favorable candidate for additional funding as the NYS Environmental Bond Act and other federal initiatives become available.
In the fall of 2024, the County published a Request for Proposals to solicit a consultant for the CRP. In November of 2024, the County selected Barton and Loguidice, D.P.C.
