USA: Senators OK Funding for NJ Water Infrastructure Projects

April 27, 2012

U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), a member of the Appropriations Committee, and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announced Committee approval of $119 million in funding for New Jersey projects in the Fiscal Year 2013 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill.

The legislation provides $68 million to complete the channel deepening project that will allow bigger ships into the Port of New York and New Jersey. It also includes $1 million for the Passaic River Basin Reevaluation Study. Senators Lautenberg and Menendez and Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) previously worked to include $1 million for this study in the President’s FY 2013 budget proposal, and today’s approval of the bill is a critical step in securing this funding. In addition, the bill includes funding for other flood mitigation efforts, harbor and river maintenance, and beach replenishment projects across New Jersey.

“This bill provides federal resources to help ensure New Jersey’s port remains a major driver for jobs and economic activity in our state and region,” said Lautenberg, a member of the Energy and Water Subcommittee, which funds water infrastructure projects. “For local families and businesses in some of the most flood-prone areas of New Jersey, this bill takes important steps forward to mitigate flood damage. Funding for the Passaic River Basin Study will help us find a long-term solution to address flooding that regularly disrupts and devastates communities throughout the basin. This is a strong bill that will also provide federal funding to protect New Jersey’s beaches, maintain our harbors and restore waterways across the state.”

“Securing the remaining funding to dredge the Port not only protects jobs, but also secures its place as the economic engine for the region and the East Coast’s largest port,” said Menendez. “Further, this overall investment is critical to boosting our state’s economy, protecting our environment, and ensuring the safety of our residents. Millions in resources will go towards mitigating flood damage in communities that deal with flooding year after year, plus, it invests in water infrastructure, beach replenishment, and environmental restoration efforts that New Jersey needs to remain competitive.”

The Fiscal Year 2013 Energy and Water Appropriations bill was approved by the Subcommittee on Energy and Water on Tuesday before passing the full Senate Appropriations Committee today.

Some of the New Jersey projects funded through this legislation are included below and the bill provides additional funds for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to award to other later in the year to projects not included in the bill.

Flood Control

Passaic River Basin Reevaluation Study – $1,000,000

Passaic River Flood Warning Systems – $587,000

Raritan River Basin, Green Brook Sub-Basin – $1,000,000

Delaware River (Gloucester, Camden, Burlington, and Mercer counties) – $290,000

Beach Replenishment

Ocean City (Great Egg Harbor and Peck Beach) – $7,000,000

Port Monmouth (Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay, Port Monmouth) – $1,000,000

Highlands (Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay, Highlands) – $100,000

Long Beach Island (Barnegat Inlet to Little Egg Harbor Inlet) – $600,000

Cape May (Lower Cape May Meadows) – $400,000

Cape May/Lower Township (Cape May Inlet to Lower Township) – $200,000