|
Ocean Township, NJ --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) today urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the construction of the Poplar Brook flood control project in Ocean Township after major flooding on Friday led to the evacuation of 22 homes that remain uninhabitable.
The New Jersey congressman took a tour of the area this morning with Alek Petersen, Project Director for the Poplar Brook Flood Damage Reduction project. After the tour, Pallone said last week's rain caused a dramatic rise in the height of Poplar Brook, and floodwaters came through a breach between a stone and earthen berm and a brick wall that combine to protect the area from smaller flooding.
Pallone said the breach could not hold back flood waters caused by heavy rains over an eight-day period. One area that was particularly affected was Poplar Village, a senior citizens' retirement community adjacent to Poplar Brook. As a result of the flooding, 22 tenants who live in HUD-subsidized units were evacuated and have been relocated to alternate housing. Their homes have suffered serious damage, and it is unclear when they will be able to return. Pallone visited some of the damaged homes yesterday when Ocean Township officials organized a voluntary clean up of the area.
The New Jersey congressman said the flood control project is intended to prevent flooding in the future by creating a basin upstream in Joe Palaia Township Park. According to the plans, the amount of water leaving the basin would now be controlled, preventing large amounts of water from heading into the brook and flooding nearby homes.
Petersen told Pallone today that the project is now in its final design phase and should be ready for construction soon. The project manager said he believed the actual construction would take one year to complete. After the tour, Pallone sent a letter to Lt. Gen. Carl A. Strock, Commander and Chief of Engineers of the Army Corps, requesting that the Corps immediately direct available resources to the prompt completion of the Poplar Brook project.
"It is my understanding from speaking with the project manager that if the project receives necessary funding of approximately $8 million, the creation of a detention basin and other construction activities could be completed within one year," Pallone wrote in his letter to Strock. "Given the damage that resulted from the recent heavy rains, I ask that you provide this funding as soon as possible so the project can be completed."
Pallone also sent a letter today to President Bush asking that he immediately declare the state a federal disaster area and direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide any and all assistance to both county and municipal officials. The New Jersey congressman toured other areas affected by the flooding yesterday in the vicinity of Deal Lake and believes FEMA assistance can make a difference for residents who suffered damage to their homes.
"I hope you will immediately evaluate the situation in New Jersey and direct all federal resources to assist them in this crisis," Pallone wrote to the president.
The New Jersey congressman has also been in contact with Governor Codey's office and asked him to seek a federal disaster declaration from the federal government. The governor will receive a status report from each of the affected counties in the next few days to determine what exactly the state needs. Based on preliminary reports, Pallone said the governor is likely to ask the president to declare New Jersey a federal disaster area. |
