NIAGARA COUNTY, N.Y. — There are always challenges in dealing with high water levels along the Lake Ontario shoreline, but that that has become even more challenging because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Under the state's REDI funding program, New York State covers 95 percent of project costs with the individual town responsible for the remaining 5 percent.
Local governments are already having a tough time before the pandemic hit, and now it is near impossible.
Now the Niagara County Legislature is asking Gov. Andrew Cuomo to waive that 5 percent requirement.
"Much like the governor requested the federal government to waive the 25 percent match in FEMA funding, that he would consider doing the same for us in waiving that 5 percent match here in the localities for our lakeshore projects," Niagara County Legislature chairwoman Rebecca Wydysh said.
There are 11 projects in the works, from an outer harbor breakwater in Olcott to shoreline stabilization in Somerset.
The total share for those projects is currently $1.6 million.
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