Washington – Congressman Maurice Hinchey of Hurley, a Democrat, is highly critical of the Republican Bush Administration’s proposal to eliminate a number of National Resources Conservation Services programs for watershed protection and flood prevention.

Hinchey made his concerns known at a Capital Hill hearing. At question is a program that funds physical activities to strengthen watersheds and prevent flooding.

“How is that this administration, in the face of this kind of flooding, can say that we do not deserve to have critical funds that would help safeguard homes, business, agricultural land and other important areas from future flooding,” he said. “The administration cannot simply shift the responsibility for all this kind of protection to state and local governments.” That, said Hinchey, would mean “huge increases in property taxes.”

Portions of Sullivan, Ulster and Orange counties were severely hit by floods a year ago when torrential rains and swollen streams and rivers overflowed their banks and wiped out homes and businesses. In Sullivan County, a teenage girl was killed when floodwaters washed away her family home.