Army Corps of Engineers will spend $100,000 in Pompton Lakes with support of Borough; Congressman had requested solutions for long-standing problem
Paterson - Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-8) announced today that the United States Army Corps of Engineers will spend $100,000 on a comprehensive review of the flooding along Acid Brook in the DuPont Village of Pompton Lakes. The project, which was requested by Pascrell and has the support of Mayor John Murrin, will also examine possible solutions to the long-standing problem. Pascrell recently wrote to the Army Corps specifically requesting that the agency advance flood remediation efforts.
Authorized under Section 205 of the Army Corps' Continuing Authorities Program, the Acid Brook Flood Damage Reduction Study will consist of an Initial Assessment Report and a Project Management Plan and Schedule to address the problem. Approximately 60 homes and 8 commercial structures typically flood, according to the Army Corps. The project will be done solely with federal dollars.
"I am very pleased that the Army Corps has heard our call and will be thoroughly examining what to do about the flooding problem along Acid Brook," said Pascrell, a member of the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. "We need to get at the root of this problem and come up with answers because the people affected by this flooding deserve solutions."
"I asked the Army Corps to invest federal dollars back into the community and address this flooding problem head-on, and that is what they are doing," Pascrell said.
"We are thrilled and happy that the Congressman got personally involved in this project that is so important to our residents," said Mayor John Murrin. "We are excited that it has gotten off the ground and we are moving forward." The Army Corps has expressed confidence that flood relief can be brought to the area.
"The Corps believes that there is clearly an opportunity to provide flood protection to the community," said Peter Blum, P.E, the lead engineer on the project for the Army Corps.
The Initial Assessment Report (IAR) will consist of an overview of existing background data and determination of potential solutions to the flooding problem. A preliminary environmental assessment will be performed, and initial engineering and modeling will be used to screen potential solutions. If solutions are identified, a detailed Project Management Plan will be written to outline future costs and schedules. A Project Cooperation Agreement would then need to be signed with a non-federal sponsor prior to the start of the Feasibility Report stage.
Pascrell wrote to the Army Corps on June 4th. In his letter, he reiterated his strong interest in advancing the Acid Brook project, and specifically urged the Army Corps to make Section 205 funding available.
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