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Rye approves climate-mitigation easement to support Gion Creek widening study, bridge removal
Summary
The council authorized an easement enabling the Village of Mamaroneck to study widening Gion Creek and to seek state grant funding to remove a constricting pedestrian bridge; the easement supports the village's grant application and does not authorize immediate construction.
Rye Town officials on June 11 voted to grant a climate-mitigation easement to the Village of Mamaroneck so the village can study and pursue a state-funded project to widen the Gion Creek channel and address chronic flooding in parts of the village and Rye Neck.
Debbie Risner, town administrator, summarized the need: a narrow spit of land and a small pedestrian bridge create a funnel that constricts flow in storm events, exacerbating backups and flood damage. The state-funded SLR study recommended removing the land bridge opening to enlarge the channel; the village’s grant application requires the town’s easement to allow survey and design work on the town-owned bridge and adjacent town-owned land.
Risner emphasized the resolution authorizes only an easement and support for the village’s grant application — it does not authorize immediate removal or construction. Council members asked questions about ownership history and replacement of the footbridge; staff said the village included an allowance to replace the pedestrian bridge in its grant planning, but any replacement would come as a separate, later action and funding decision.
The council approved the easement unanimously, enabling the village to complete grant-required studies and submit the application. Staff said engineers will prepare the grant materials; if funds are awarded, the village and the town will return to the council for specific construction approvals and funding commitments.
