Washington, DC - Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) last night won the approval of the U.S. House of Representatives for his request of $200,000 for the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). Hinchey who is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, worked to secure the funds for the continued upgrade and enhancement to the basin's flood warning system as part of the fiscal year 2010 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill.

"A flood warning system for communities along the Delaware River Basin will help save lives and property by alerting people when a flash flood is possible," Hinchey said. "Investing money in a warning system now will save a lot more money down the line with better planning in the event of an impending flood."

The DRBC is expanding upon improvements to its flood warning system that Hinchey initially helped fund in Fiscal Year 2008. These improvements will enable the basin wide flood warning system to be further enhanced and maintained. These funds would upgrade the stream gage network, improve emergency forecasting for flash flooding, increase outreach and flood preparedness education, and improve coordination among the local, state and federal emergency response agencies. Funding for an enhanced basin wide flood warning system would provide authorities with advanced notice of a major flooding event and improve the ability of local and regional authorities to coordinate and manage such disaster situations.
 
The Senate must now take up its own version of the CJS appropriations bill for fiscal year 2010.