Legislation co-sponsored by North Country Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, and Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, that would establish a flood recovery and mitigation grant program to help those recovering from the recent flooding the St. Lawrence Seaway passed the Assembly Monday.

The bill creates the “Great Lakes Flood Recovery and Mitigation Relief Act” and would provide grants up to $100,000 for homes and businesses impacted by damaging floodwaters.

“We have seen the damage flood waters have had inflicted on homes, businesses and municipal facilities on the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River this spring," Jenne said.

Jenne represents the 116th Assembly District, the so-called “River District.” It includes all St. Lawrence County communities along the St. Lawrence River, plus Canton and Potsdam.

The legislation would establish a $90 million flood recovery grant program to help communities rebuild after flooding. The program allocates up to $15 million for homeowners, $25 million for businesses, farms and nonprofits and $25 million for local municipalities.

The legislation also allocates $15 million for flood mitigation activities to help prevent future flooding and $10 million in disaster relief for municipalities still recovering from the impact of a previous natural disaster. St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties are both eligible to receive funding.

In addition, the bill gives local governments and school districts special permission to cut property tax bills for affected property owners. That provision was modeled on separate legislation introduced by Senator Ritchie, which previously was approved by the Senate.

“The dangerous, record-high water levels in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River have caused major problems for property owners and communities all across our region, and this legislation will bring major relief,” said Ritchie.

Ritchie represents the western half of St. Lawrence County including Ogdensburg, Canton and Gouverneur.

“This legislation will allow those impacted by these record flood waters to have access to the necessary resources to bounce back from this devastating blow from Mother Nature,” Ritchie said

The flood relief bill is modeled on similar legislation that was enacted in the wake of Superstorms Irene and Lee in 2011 to help property owners cope with widespread damage.

"This year's flooding has demonstrated the need to allocate more funding for shoreline stabilization efforts on the shores of the St. Lawrence River," Jenne said.

The bill would also establish an interagency response to assist in the allocation and distribution of state and federal resources and develop a comprehensive multi-agency flood response plan to respond to future water level increases that may occur.

The measure now will be sent to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.