Proposed Spillway Alteration Fuels Debate Between Rye and Harrison

A joint project between the City of Rye and Village of Rye Brook to add a sluice gate to the Bowman Avenue spillway appears to have hit a sudden roadblock, as Harrison officials say they want to be involved in the project before final approval.

Plans for the new gate have been in the works for more than three years. The plan for the sluice gate project was part of a Rye Brook Flood Mitigation study completed in 2008.

The proposed sluice gate would be built on Rye City owned property, and would be maintained by the Village of Rye Brook. It is designed to control water flow through the Blind Brook at the Rye-Harrison border. The project is funded through a state grant obtained by Rye and Rye Brook.

But Harrison officials say since the project will potentially affect water flow in their town, Rye City needs to obtain several permits from the Harrison Planning Board, giving the town a say in the final approval process.

In a letter to the Village of Rye Brook, Harrison Town Engineer Michael Amodeo wrote that the town is concerned about work being done on Harrison property and changes in a flood plain that could impact Harrison properties in the area.

"They're going to have control over a shared waterway so we need to be made comfortable with what's happening," said Amodeo, who said Harrison has never received any formal information about the proposed project.

In response to the letter, Rye Brook Administrator Chris Bradbury said he invites Harrison to participate in a public hearing before the Village of Rye Brook about the project next Monday, Nov. 22. He added that there are no indications at this point that the project would affect flood levels in Harrison.

Amodeo said a public hearing in Rye Brook isn't an acceptable solution for Harrison and that the town wants Rye to file for the permits with the Town/Village of Harrison. He added that although the town might not have specific objections to the project, he wants to have a hand in the final outcome. Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh echoed those concerns.

"The brook is a dividing line between the town and the City of Rye, so no work should be undertaken without prior consultation with the town," Walsh said. "We're not saying no, we just need to know more."

Walsh compared the issue with the Beaver Swamp, which has created an on-going debate between Harrison and the Village of Mamaroneck.

"If you are going to alter the pattern that has been there a long time you must first consult with the town," Walsh said.

Harrison officials said they have not heard an official response to their requests from Rye Brook or the City of Rye at the time of publication.