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Washington, D.C. --- The U.S. Senate joined the House of Representatives in voting to override President Bush's veto of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007. By enacting the legislation over the president's objection, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be authorized to complete the South River Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project that was requested earlier this year by U.S. Reps. Rush Holt (D-NJ) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ).
The two New Jersey congressmen said Congress authorized $79.5 million in federal funds to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the South River project. The project area is located within the lower Raritan Basin in Middlesex County. The South River is the first major tributary of the Raritan River, located approximately 8.3 miles upstream of the Raritan River's mouth at Raritan Bay.
"The president was wrong to veto this important legislation that helps to minimize flood damage in communities around our nation, including right here in South River," Pallone said. "By overriding the president's veto, we are one step closer to implementing the Army Corps' plan to protect residents along the flood-prone South River. The authorization will allow us to fight for the funds to begin construction on storm surge barriers, floodwalls and interior drainage facilities that will protect South River from future flooding."
“This is a smart investment of federal resources and an important step in mitigating the damage that heavy rains can cause for the community,” Holt said. “By overriding the President’s veto and approving this project, the Army Corps can work with State officials to make South River residents, homes, and businesses, safer from floods.”
South River is prone to imminent and severe flooding from hurricanes and other storms. In March 1993, a storm caused $17 million in damages and closed the highway bridge connecting Sayreville and South River Boroughs. State officials estimate the statewide damage of an April nor'easter, which hit Central New Jersey particularly hard, was $180 million. These funds will assist with planned flood damage reduction and ecosystem restoration tasks including constructing a storm surge barrier along the South River, two combined levees/floodwalls, and interior drainage facilities.
The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA) authorizes water projects for the Army Corps and is intended to be considered by Congress every two years. While authorization legislation lists specific funding levels, the South River project must still go through the annual appropriations process to receive the funding included in WRDA. |
