After HIS Advocacy, Schumer Announces TOWN of Plattsburgh Added to LAKE Champlain Basin Program—opening UP NEW Federal Funding to Address Crumbling Infrastructure at Former AIR Force Base—and Launches...

Town Of Plattsburgh To Receive Fed Support After Schumer Brought US Army Corps Of Engineers To Meet With Town About How To Deal With Critical Infrastructure Left From The Former Air Force Base Following Schumer’s Advocacy, Town of Plattsburgh Added To Lake Champlain Basin Program Unlocking Critical Opportunities For Inventorying And Remediation Funding; Senator Vows To Fight To Reauthorize Critical Program In Upcoming Bill Schumer: Investing In Lake Champlain Conservation Program Is A WIN – WIN That Will Help Protect Both The Lake And Town Residents Following his advocacy , U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer today announced that the Town of Plattsburgh has been added to the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP), which unlocked new federal funding opportunities that will help the Town fix crumbling infrastructure at the former Air Force Base. Schumer previously secured a meeting between Town of Plattsburgh officials and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assess the condition and scope of the base’s Cold War-era infrastructure. Schumer said that meeting directly led to the Town’s inclusion in the LCBP that will help the Town secure necessary federal investment to inventory and begin to address the outdated infrastructure. Schumer also launched his push to reauthorize the critical federal program that supports Lake Champlain and its surrounding area. “For decades, Plattsburgh Air Force Base played a vital role in protecting our country during the Cold War. Now, with Plattsburgh International Airport, it continues its service to the North Country as a travel hub for Northern New Yorkers. However, its Cold War-era infrastructure is falling apart, creating sinkholes and sending unwanted sediments into Lake Champlain, and locals are concerned the next storm could bring more damage,” said Senator Schumer. “That’s why I was proud to ensure the Town of Plattsburgh was added to the Lake Champlain Basin Program so we can unlock new federal funding to assess and inventory the infrastructure and provide a funding source for future remediation of the crumbling drainage system. As Congress begins to work on our next water funding bill, I am thinking of the Town of Plattsburgh as I fight to reauthorize this vital program for the Lake Champlain region.” Plattsburgh Air Force Base closed three decades ago, and much of the infrastructure was installed when the base was built in the mid-1950s. When the base closed, the town had concerns that the infrastructure built by the Air Force may not be up to current standards. Since then, pipes that were designed to drain water away from the flight line are collapsing due to heavy rains, creating sinkholes, sending unwanted and likely contaminated sediments into Lake Champlain, and creating concern that more damage could be coming. “A town of our size could easily be overwhelmed by a project of this magnitude. We would never have the financial resources to begin studying the problem, let alone start the actual construction process to rehabilitate the failing infrastructure left behind when the Airbase closed. We are deeply appreciative of the connections that Senator Schumer has made on our behalf. His involvement in the process has been invaluable and is a testament to his commitment to the North Country. The importance of this project to the continued economic development of the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base cannot be overstated. This is a project with a generational impact that will ensure a sustainable future for an extremely vital portion of the Town of Plattsburgh,” said Supervisor Chuck Kostyk, Town of Plattsburgh. Last year, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer secured a meeting in Plattsburgh between Town officials and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding the former Air Force Base. Michael Cashman, then serving as Town Supervisor, had asked Schumer for assistance in assessing the condition and scope of the Cold War-era infrastructure, and the senator worked for weeks to help get the USACE to agree to send out a team of engineers to see the site, now operating commercial flights as Plattsburgh International Airport, firsthand and provide technical expertise as the town evaluates next steps. The Army Corps, with Schumer’s support, then helped ensure the Town of Plattsburgh’s inclusion in the LCBP to unlock federal funding opportunities to conduct a $650,000 study to assess and inventory the infrastructure and potentially remediate the problem. The LCBP and its Lake Champlain Watershed Environmental Assistance Program support New York and Vermont’s efforts to improve Lake Champlain’s water quality, support wildlife habitat, and enhance the environment throughout the lake’s watershed. Schumer has a long history of supporting the LCBP. Schumer has cosponsored numerous bills to support the foundation, growth, and continued funding of the LCBP. Apart from fighting to secure the program funding through annual appropriations bills, Schumer also secured an additional $40 million in funding as part of his Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law. Back in 2024, under Schumer’s leadership in the Senate, economically disadvantaged communities like Plattsburgh only have to provide a 10% local cost share, down from the previous level of 35%. This year, he proudly cosponsored the LCBP Enhancements Act of 2026 , which would reauthorize the program and maintain its funding through 2032, improve oversight of the program’s fiscal agent to ensure funds are administered in a timely and proper manner, and formally authorize the partnership between the LCBP and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC), allowing for greater support for Lake Champlain. Additionally, Schumer is pushing to increase funding for LCBP through the Fiscal Year 2027 Interior Appropriations bill. This funding is critical to restore, protect, and prevent pollution of the Lake Champlain ecosystem and also to plan responses for climate-related disasters. Schumer today launched his push to reauthorize the LCBP in the upcoming bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), so the program can continue its mission while working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make its grants more accessible to the local communities and dedicated partners on the shore like the Town of Plattsburgh. Schumer has delivered many millions of dollars in federal funding to support Plattsburgh, Clinton County, and the Plattsburgh Airport. Through the American Rescue Plan, Schumer delivered millions of dollars in federal funding to help Clinton County recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, including $15.61 million for Clinton County, $2.14 million for the City of Plattsburgh, and $1.31 million for the Town of Plattsburgh. Schumer has delivered millions of dollars for Plattsburgh International Airport, including $184,000 from the Airport Improvement Program just last year, $1.4 million from the Airport Improvement Program in 2024, and nearly $6 million for various projects through the Airport Improvement Grant program. Schumer earlier this year also successfully increased funding for the vital Essential Air Service program Plattsburgh International Airport relies on, providing $514 million for the EAS program – a nearly 15% increase from last year, rejecting President Trump’s proposal to cut the program by 50% and preventing the Department of Transportation from haphazardly terminating any EAS contracts. ###