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Washington, D.C. --- Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives approved an omnibus funding bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 that includes funds that will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue critical shore protection and flood control projects in Monmouth County, said U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ).
Pallone officially requested the funding in a letter to members of the House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee earlier this year. The funds were included in a giant $515.7 billion spending bill that combines 11 appropriations bills into one omnibus bill funding domestic programs and foreign operations for FY 2008, which officially began on October 1, 2007. The legislation now goes to the Senate for its approval.
"I commend Congress for once again recognizing the importance of beach replenishment and flood control projects along the Jersey Shore," Pallone said. "The funds approved by the House yesterday will allow the Army Corps to move forward with these projects so that Monmouth County communities will be better protected from flooding and beach erosion."
Sandy Hook to Barnegat Inlet
The House approved $1.316 million for beach restoration and storm damage protection for communities located along 21 miles of shoreline from the Township of Sea Bright to the Manasquan Inlet.
Port Monmouth
The House approved $877,000 for Port Monmouth that would allow the Army Corps to continue construction activities on the first phase of the Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction project, which involves beach replenishment to create a storm buffer.
Shark River
The House approved $491,000 to complete a full maintenance dredging of the Shark River.
Poplar Brook
The House approved $1.968 million to continue the Poplar Brook flood control project.
Shrewsbury River (Flood Control)
The House approved $98,000 to continue a draft preliminary report of a remedy for the flooding problems of the Shrewsbury River and surrounding area. A feasibility study was initiated in January 2002 and funding is necessary to continue work on problem identification, data collection, team site visits and survey and mapping activities.
Shrewsbury River (Maintenance Dredging)
The House approved $139,000 to begin a maintenance dredging of the Shrewsbury River. The river was last dredged in 1997, and the dredging cycle is approximately every 6-10 years.
Highlands
The House approved $98,000 to continue the feasibility study for the Highlands Storm Damage Reduction project.
Keansburg
The House approved $109,000 for creation of plans and specifications for construction work for the Section 506 component, located in the Townships of Keansburg, East Keansburg, and Laurence Harbor, of the Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction project.
Leonardo
The House approved $98,000 to continue the feasibility study for the Leonardo Storm Damage Reduction project. Low-lying residential and commercial structures in the area experience flooding caused by coastal storm damage inundation.
Keyport
The House approved $98,000 to continue the feasibility study for the Keyport Storm Damage Reduction project. Keyport currently has no protective beach seaward of its bulkheads, and most of the bulkheads near the west side are extremely low and allow frequent flooding. Funding is needed to complete the feasibility study, which could be done this year.
Union Beach
The House approved $43,000 to continue the preconstruction, engineering and design phase of the Union Beach Storm Damage Reduction project.
Shoal Harbor and Compton Creek
The House approved $162,000 to continue planning for a proposed maintenance dredging of Shoal Harbor and Compton Creek, located in Belford. A detailed project report completed in FY 1992 recommended deepening the inner channel to 10 feet and the outer channel to 14 feet.
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