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WISNIEWSKI: LATEST FLOODING FURTHER PROOF OF NEED FOR SAYREVILLE FLOOD RELIEF

(SAYREVILLE) – Assemblyman John Wisniewski and U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone on Tuesday toured the Weber Avenue area and the Old Bridge section of Sayreville to see damage caused by flooding from the South River.
Wisniewski and Assemblyman Craig J. Coughlin (both D-Middlesex) have sponsored legislation to help combat the flooding of the South River in that area. The bill was approved by the Assembly in June.
The measure (A-3138) would provide $1.047 million to the Department of Environmental Protection to initiate and support flood control and prevention projects to mitigate periodic flooding from the South River, which often floods its banks after heavy rains and severe storms.
The funding would be drawn from the Dam, Lake, Stream, Flood Control, Water ReDests, and Wastewater Treatment Project Bond Act of 2003.
“Sayreville residents have unfortunately known all too well that floodwaters have a devastating and long-lasting effect on safety, quality of life and property,” Wisniewski said. “Our legislation would help fund temporary remediation that would keep floodwaters at bay until the federal government and the Army Corps of Engineers can enact a permanent flood prevention solution. Sadly, this hurricane was another example of the need for this funding.”
The South River is the geographic border separating the municipalities of Sayreville and South River in Middlesex County. Since the mid-1990’s floodwaters following heavy rains and nor’easters have caused considerable flooding along the Sayreville side of the river, causing significant and repeated property damage for those residents living in the river’s flood plain.
The Army Corps of Engineers is in the process of completing a study of the area and is formulating how best to design a long-term flood remediation program. In the meantime, the residents of Sayreville continue to battle floodwaters after heavy rains.
“These residents deserve this expedited relief,” Wisniewski said. “We’ve found a responsible way to pay for part of it, so let’s get it done so we can make these terrible flooding incidents a thing of the past.”