North Country Sen. Patty Ritchie says a bill she cosponsored to accelerate emergency funding for water infrastructure and help communities impacted by severe flooding along the St. Lawrence River has passed the Senate.

Under Senate bill 5902, the 120-day waiting period for funds made available via the newly adopted Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017 would be amended and monies would be accessible to municipalities immediately.

“I have seen firsthand the devastating effects that recent flooding has had on the communities I represent along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River,” said Ritchie, who last week, toured communities in St. Lawrence, Jefferson, and Oswego counties impacted by flooding.

Without this legislation, municipalities would have been required to wait until Aug. 18, 2017 to access funding to address water infrastructure emergencies that are hazardous to public health and the environment.

The 2017-18 State Budget created the Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017 and a new financial assistance program to address water infrastructure emergencies that are imminent hazards to public health, public welfare and the environment.

This bill -- which passed the Senate unanimously -- now heads to the Assembly for action.

Residents who are affected by flooding and in need of assistance are encouraged to contact the state’s Flood Assistance Hotline at 866-244-3839.

In addition, property owners are encouraged to contact the below DEC locations for help in obtaining storm recovery permits available for shore protection and other actions that need to be taken to safeguard infrastructure and property along the St. Lawrence River.