Ulster County Signs Home Buy-Out Agreement

NEW PALTZ, NY (WAMC) - Homeowners experiencing property damage from New York City's leaking Delaware Aqueduct will have the option to participate in a buy-out, now that an agreement has been signed between the City's DEP and Ulster County. Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
 

Officials say the buy-out is the first step in finding relief for the flood victims Town of Wawarsing Supervisor Scott Carlsen points out the aqueduct tunnel has been leaking for at least 30 years.

Ulster County Legislature Chair Terry Bernardo signed an agreement calling on the DEP to provide more than $3 million to be used in the home buy-out - New York State will contribute an additional $3.8 million for the voluntary program, which Bernardo has been working on for the last several years. She says the signing is a start, but it's not enough money to take care all of the affected residents.

Supervisor Carlsen agrees the buy-out falls short. Carlsen adds that even when repairs to the aqueduct are expected to be completed, circa 2020, the land will remain "forever wild" - Calls to the DEP were not returned in time for broadcast - homeowners who applied for the buy-out are scheduled to meet next week, and home appraisals are set to get underway at the beginning of May.

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