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Olcott bracing for more water problems

Posted at 6:16 PM, Jun 05, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-05 19:20:17-04

Forecasts for rain, wind and high waves on Tuesday June 6th have now placed Olcott on standby.  Sand bags are being deployed and crews using special "long-reach" equipment from New York State are working quickly to dig an underwater trench and extend out the shoreline near Olcott Beach's west-end homes that are at risk of flooding.

However, this community is also fighting back.  Newfane has sent a resolution to the Niagara County Legislature asking it to take legal action against the International Joint Commission (IJC) and its "Plan 2014."

Many believe "Plan 2014" is responsible because it allowed water levels on Lake Ontario to remain too high before record Springtime rainfall.

The IJC has maintained it was the exceptional rainfall that caused the problems.

Town of Newfane Supervisor Tim Horanburg said he hopes that legal action can get an injunction against "Plan 2014."

7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly went to Olcott Beach to see how preparations were progressing.