73-0107 - Task force duties.

* § 73-0107. Task force duties.    The role of the task force includes, but is not limited to:    1.  Conduct an in-depth examination of flood control study sectors and  issues  related  to  floodplain  management,  flood  control  and  flood  mitigation in and along the canal system including:    (a)  Adaptive  measures  that  can be taken to mitigate flood damages,  including but not limited to feasible floodplain management  activities,  wetland restoration, flood control structures, communication systems and  structures and associated costs;    (b)   Evaluation   which   should   include  impacts  on  agriculture,  transportation, land use, health, insurance and economic sectors such as  shipping, fisheries, power generation, tourism, and recreation.  Impacts  on  infrastructure,  including  bridges,  low-lying  roads, dams, locks,  causeways, water and wastewater treatment  plants  and  docks  shall  be  included in the evaluation; and    (c)  Evaluation of canal operation procedures and plans which may have  a direct or indirect impact on flood  mitigation  and  flood  management  including,  but  not limited to, debris management, communication, water  management and flood response.    2. Evaluation and  assessment  of  any  flood  control  or  mitigation  measures  identified in terms of feasibility, economic and public health  impacts, and  effectiveness,  as  well  as  identifying  impediments  to  implementing  flood  control and mitigation measures and where possible,  actions that could be taken to resolve these issues.    3. The department and the canal corporation  shall  provide  the  task  force  with such facilities, assistance and data as will enable the task  force to carry out  its  powers  and  duties.  Additionally,  all  other  agencies  of  the state or subdivisions thereof shall, at the request of  the chair provide the task force with such facilities,  assistance,  and  data as will enable the task force to carry out its powers and duties.    4. The task force shall have the power to:    (a) Contract for professional and technical assistance and advice;    (b)  Contract  for and accept assistance including, but not limited to  gifts, grants, easements, and loans of funds, real property and personal  property from the federal government or any agency or instrumentality of  the state, or from any other public or private source to comply, subject  to the provisions  of  this  article,  with  the  terms  and  conditions  thereof,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  division  of  the budget.  Notwithstanding the provisions of section eleven of  the  state  finance  law,  the  task  force  may  accept gifts, grants, devises and bequests,  whether conditional or unconditional with the approval of  the  director  of the budget; and    (c) Conduct scientific and environmental studies.    * NB Repealed 120 days after the New York State canal flood mitigation  task force has submitted its completed report (see ch. 456/2007 §2)