HOUSE PANEL APPROVES $5 MILLION FOR GREEN BROOK FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT

WASHINGTON – A key congressional panel on Wednesday approved the request by Rep. Mike Ferguson, R-N.J., targeting $5 million in new funding for the Green Brook Flood Control Project.

The House Appropriations Committee approved the Green Brook funding Thursday as part of a $24.4 billion spending bill that finances flood control projects nationwide, the Energy Department and several other federal agencies. The House is scheduled to vote on the underlying bill later this month, and separately the Senate also is considering its version of the funding bill.

“The Green Brook project is critically important to protecting lives, homes and communities, and these funds will ensure the project continues moving forward,” Ferguson said. “Particularly with the federal budget being tight, I’m grateful that I’ve secured an addition $5 million for Green Brook. Now it’s up to the Senate to continue the important funding for this project.”

For the second year in a row, the Bush Administration in its budget did not request funding for the project. Despite that, Ferguson sought the funding and lobbied congressional leaders and key members of the Appropriations Committee to support the project.
Congress last year approved $5 million for Green Brook, bringing to more than $39 million that has been enacted for the nation’s largest flood control project outside of the Mississippi River region.

This year’s funding would be used to elevate the bridge at Talmage Avenue and East Main Street.

The project’s ultimate goal is to protect residents and businesses in the 65-square-mile flood basin that covers 14 communities in Somerset, Middlesex and Union counties. To date, bridges have been raised, pumping stations established and levees built.