U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11) has welcomed news that New Jersey will receive $21 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant funding to “buy-out” or elevate nearly 68 properties in flood-ravaged areas in the northern and central part of the state as a result of Hurricane Irene on August 27 to September 5.

Of the eight of the communities receiving funding, three are located in the Passaic River Basin, in Morris and Passaic Counties

Funding became available to the State under a Major Presidential Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Irene.

The communities included in this series of property buyouts have experienced major flood events in recent years. The following flood mitigation projects in Morris and Passaic counties have been approved:

• $7,220,205 to the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, Morris County for the acquisition of 26 residences and the elevation of another 26 residecnes. (Total Estimated cost: $9,626,941)

• $2,017,500 to the Township of Denville, Morris County, for the acquisition of approximately 8 residences along the Pompton River (Total Estimated cost: $2,690,000)

• $2,247,187.50 to the Borough of Pompton Lakes, Passaic County, for the acquisition of approximately 8 residences along the Passaic River. (Total Estimated Project cost: $2,996,250 )

This funding is in addition to funding previously announced in mid-December.

Seventy-five percent of the cost of the acquisitions is funded by FEMA with a 25 percent match for each project funded from NJ DEP’s Blue Acres Program. The homeowner’s participation in an acquisition measure is voluntary.

Floods have been and continue to be a frequent and costly natural hazard facing our State of New Jersey. For more information about reducing risk from floods, visit www.ready.nj.govor www.floodsmart.gov.