Speed up inspections of Adirondack waterways, officials urge

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Associated Press

Elected officials in the Adirondacks are asking Gov. Andrew Cuomo to speed up inspections of rivers and streams that may need dredging in the aftermath of last month’s flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Irene.

Lawmakers in Essex County tell the Press-Republican of Plattsburgh that the work needs to be done now before more flooding occurs.

Local officials say the late August flooding caused by torrential rain changed the course of the Ausable River and some brooks and streams that flow into it. They want state officials to move ahead quickly to inspect local waterways that had tons of debris washed into them during the flooding.

Several towns in the county suffered millions of damage to roads, bridges and other infrastructure.