Question 1

What is the Hoosic River Revival (HRR)?

Accepted Answer

HRR is a non profit organization founded by local citizen volunteers. Its mission is to build a modern flood protection system which will protect the City, provide river access, improve water quality and ecosystems, and encourage economic development, all of which benefits the entire community. Please see our About page for more information about our mission and vision.

Question 2

Does HRR really want to remove the flood chutes?

Accepted Answer

No. We want to improve the city’s flood defenses, which are no longer adequate and actually pose a threat to North Adams. Modern flood protections rely on better technology, better science, and better planning. All modifications must be approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

Question 3

Will North Adams still be safe if the flood chutes are changed?

Accepted Answer

YES. All modifications to the chutes will meet or exceed current flood protection levels, and will be approved by the USACE.

Question 4

Is it really possible to have both flood protection for the city and community access to the river?

Accepted Answer

YES. River specialists now know that engineering with concrete walls to control flooding is not the best approach. Designs that take advantage of or mimic natural processes, like floodplains and terraced steps, are the current flood protection method used by the USACE.These options will be explored in the upcoming feasibility study conducted by USACE (see more below on the feasibility study process).

Question 5

Who is responsible for the flood chutes?

Accepted Answer

The City of North Adams owns the chutes and is responsible for their maintenance. Built 70 years ago, they are crumbling. Five wall sections, 20 ft. wide, have already collapsed, and seven are leaning, causing a false sense of security to the City. Additionally, concrete flood chutes are prohibitively expensive to maintain. The understanding of rivers and their flow patterns has progressed allowing the redesign to incorporate more sustainable features that are less susceptible to degradation over time and therefore easier and less costly to maintain.

Question 6

Can HRR complete this project on its own?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining the safety of the city and restoring the river’s health is a complicated, expensive project, too big for HRR alone. Area residents, local businesses, along with the city, state and federal government must all work together to make this dream a reality.

Question 7

What is a feasibility study?

Accepted Answer

The purpose of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) feasibility study is to identify, evaluate and recommend to decision makers an appropriate, coordinated and workable solution to identify water resources problems and opportunities. The Federal objective of Corps project planning is to contribute to national economic development consistent with protecting the Nation’s environment, in accordance with national environmental statutes, applicable executive orders, and other Federal planning requirements. A feasibility report documents: the study results and findings, including the formulation of alternatives; the selection process of the recommended alternative; and the costs and benefits of that recommended plan. Please see the USACE website for more information on the feasibility study process and flood risk management.

Question 8

How much will the feasibility study cost and how long will it take?

Accepted Answer

To encourage accountability and efficiency in applying the USACE’s SMART Planning feasibility process, studies are to be scoped to completion in 3 years or less, at a cost of no more than $3 million dollars, and developed with the engagement of all 3 tiers of the Corps vertical team: District, Division, and Headquarters. This process is intended to yield more Risk Informed and Decision Focused findings. Cost sharing for the Hoosic River study in North Adams involves city, state and federal governments. In particular cost was shared 50-50 between the federal government and the City of North Adams. To help the City with that requirement, State Senator Paul Mark and Representive John Barrett asked Governor Baker to allocate $1 Million to climate resilience work in North Adams. Furthermore North Adams City Council agreed with the Mayor’s request for a $500,000 bond for the City’s share. For more information on cost sharing please see this iBerkshires article (February 2, 2023), and go to the USACE website for more information on the feasibility study process and flood risk management.

Question 9

Who will lead the feasibility study?

Accepted Answer

A study team is developed at the onset of a feasibility study, often referred to as the Project Delivery Team (PDT), is a multi-disciplinary group assembled to develop the feasibility study. The group generally includes staff within a Corps District and other Corps offices, as well as the Project Sponsor’s staff (the City of North Adams is the Sponsor), and may include staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries depending on the extent and degree of potential effects to fish and wildlife resources. Please see the USACE website for more information on the feasibility study process and flood risk management.

Question 10

What role will HRR play in the feasibility study?

Accepted Answer

HRR will essentially act as a intermediary between the City of North Adams, the North Adams community (residents, local businesses, etc), and USACE. To facilitate this role, HRR and the City entered into a cooperative agreement in late 2022 in which they act as partners during the negotiations with the USACE. HRR’s Community Outreach Committee serves as the primary liaison between the community, City Hall and USACE.

Question 11

What is the scope and vision of the project in North Adams?

Accepted Answer

Scoping is an early planning activity that is required to identify the most important issues raised by the ‘proposed action’ [modernizing the flood control system]. It often includes engagement via public meetings and other venues. During the Scoping Phase, the Project Delivery Team (PDT) develops the Project Management Plan that outlines the project’s monetary and non-monetary benefits, features, cost sharing, risks, design, construction, environmental commitments, timelines, as well as the Sponsor’s views of the project. Please see the USACE website for more information on the feasibility study process and flood risk management. You can send your questions, comments or suggestions for the Hoosic River feasibility study directly to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by emailing hoosicriver-study@usace.army.mil.

Question 12

I’ve seen conceptual drawings of a re-imagined Hoosic River on HRR’s website and on posters around the city. Is that what the river will look like?

Accepted Answer

The conceptual drawings and plans are designed to inspire, and do not reflect the actual plans for the City of North Adams. After completing the feasibility study, and with the community’s input, the USACE will provide a plan for modernization of the Hoosic’s flood chutes.

Question 13

Why does my input matter?

Accepted Answer

The feasibility study and subsequent work on the flood chutes that will be conducted by USACE is work that will benefit all of North Adams. HRR and the CIty of North Adams take USACE’s Environmental Operating Principles seriously, including their directive to “Employ an open, transparent process that respects views of individuals and groups interested in USACE activities.” What you want to see in the Hoosic matters, and this is the time to make your voice heard. To comment or ask questions please join us at an upcoming Listening Session, or contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers directly by emailing hoosicriver-study@usace.army.mil. You can also engage with HRR on Facebook and Instagram.

Question 14

What is the projected timeline for the North Adams’ feasibility study?

Accepted Answer

In 2022 the City of North Adams and HRR entered into a cooperative agreement, and federal and local cost-share agreements were secured. A kick-off meeting with USACE to discuss the scope of the feasibility study is expected in Spring 2023, with articulation of the local scope and vision for the study expected to continue through the calendar year. By late 2023 the USACE Project Delivery Team anticipates completion of the Feasibility Study Project Management Plan, and USACE and the City will enter into a Federal Cost Share Agreement. The feasibility study process is expected to ensue in the 2024 calendar year and have a finalized Plan by calendar year 2025-2026. The City and USACE will then execute a cost-share agreement for flood control modernization in 2025-2026 and restoration will begin (assuming funding) in calendar year 2026.

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