Malone, NY, Feb 20, 2013 — Leaders with town of Malone hope to meet with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the next week, to talk about the flooding along Lower Park Street. The on-again, off-again cold weather this winter has meant a series of emergency declarations in Malone.

When the mercury has dipped below zero, the Salmon River jams with ice. That means the water jumps its banks, flooding homes. Public officials are figuring out why the river jams have gotten so bad, and what to do next.  Go to full article

Feb 18, 2013 — A multimillion dollar legal battle that simmered for half a decade in the North Country is finally winding to a close.

Four counties - including Albany, Rensselaer, Warren, and Washington - have agreed to settle a dispute with the Hudson River Black River Regulating district over who should pay for flood control efforts.  Go to full article

Lake Luzerne-Hadley, NY, May 23, 2012 — A new ruling by a state Supreme Court could force five counties in the North Country and the Hudson Valley to pay millions of dollars a year to help fund dam operations in the southern Adirondacks. The decision found that it is reasonable for counties to be charged for the benefits they receive in the form of flood protection from dams located on Great Sacandaga and Indian Lake.

As Brian Mann reports, county leaders in the North Country say footing the bill for dam operations would add new pressure on taxpayers at a time when budgets are already tight.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Aug 11, 2011 — The state authority that operates dams and reservoirs across the North Country voted this week to bail itself out with an internal loan worth more than $3 million.

The Hudson River-Black River Regulating District will shift the money from the region around Watertown and the Black River drainage to pay for operations in the Adirondacks and around the Great Sacandaga Reservoir.

The move has sparked anger from some North Country politicians, who say their communities are being forced to subsidize the state's operations in other parts of the state.

Brian Mann spoke with 8 O'clock Hour host Martha Foley to sort through the controversy.  Go to full article

Aug 24, 2010 — The head of one of the most embattled state organizations in the North Country has stepped down. Glenn LaFave, who ran the Hudson River Black River Regulating District, left the organization last Wednesday after four years on the job.

As Brian Mann reports, he departs as the District's future is in doubt because of a debt crisis and a series of court challenges.  Go to full article

May 17, 2010 — The state-run authority that manages many of the North Country's dams and reservoirs is running out of cash. Officials with the Hudson River-Black River Regulating District announced last week that they will lay off twelve employees at the end of the month.

The organization lost most of its revenue in 2008 because of a court decision and is still struggling to find ways to pay for its operations. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Oct 25, 2005 — A report by an environmental watchdog group finds staffing cuts at the Pataki Administration's environmental agency could have dangerous consequences. The group says dams across the state are not being properly inspected. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article