Alden Wolfe, legislative Environmental Committee chair, will ask his colleagues tonight to push the state legislature to create the Rockland Bergen Bi-State Flood Watershed Flood Prevention And Protection Program and its corresponding bi-state commission.  New Jersey already established the program and commission, which was signed into law by its governor last month.  

Bob Dillon of the Rockland Water Coalition said the idea to create a commission to address flooding issues that cross state lines has been around for several years. 

“It’s stalled in New York,” he said. “The legislation has been stalled in the state legislature and state senate.”

Dillon said after Hurricane Irene, New Jersey responded quickly and he hopes that New York takes similar steps.  He said he is cautiously optimistic and the pending resolution by the county legislature would be a “push” for the state to move.  

Dillon said the commission itself would not be costly because the commissioners should be volunteers.  The NY Department of Environmental Conservation and NJ Department of Environmental Protection would provide technical assistance. He predicted it would not be much of a financial burden on the states compared to the losses and damages experienced by homeowners and business owners after flooding.  

The committee will discuss another water-related issue when Dr. Dan Miller, the county hydrologist, presents an update on establishing a Rockland Water Policy.

Dillon said the county’s comprehensive plan adopted last year did not adequately address Rockland’s water situation.  He stated if it had been dealt with then there would not be a proposed Hudson River desalination plant.

Also at the meeting, Joseph Heller, the Hudson Valley’s USDA District Conservationist will present information on several 2012 Natural Resources Conservation Service funding programs. Eligible local landowners, farmers and forestland owners can learn about and apply for economic assistance from three programs.

• The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers through contracts up to 10 years in length. The contracts help plan and implement conservation practices for natural resource concerns and opportunities to improve soil, water, plant, animal, air and related resources on agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland.

• The Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to voluntarily address issues such as water management, water quality, and erosion control by incorporating conservation into their farming operations.

• The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) focuses on improving habitats for at-risk shrub-dwelling birds, establishing and enhancing grassland habitats for bird species, pollinators and other wildlife.

The Environmental Committee meeting takes place at 6 p.m. and is open to the public. For the committee’s agenda, go to www.rocklandgov.com, click on County Legislature and follow link to committee agendas.