Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation on Sept. 1, 2016, creating a task force to address Raritan River and Delaware River flooding. Watch video
Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday signed legislation creating a task force to address Raritan River and Delaware River flooding in Somerset and Hunterdon counties.
The law, sponsored by state Sen. Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-16th), state Sen. Michael Doherty (R-23rd) and Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker (D-16th), will allow the task force to develop ways to develop ways to prevent future flooding along the two rivers.
"We took great strides last month in Bound Brook by moving forward Green Brook Flood Risk Management Project," Doherty said. "However, we still need a comprehensive plan to ensure all communities along the Raritan and Delaware Rivers have the tools and information needed to prepare for severe flooding.
"I look forward to reviewing the task force's findings and finally implementing long-term solutions for our residents."
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In addition to reviewing past floods along the two rivers and their tributaries to make recommendations to deal with future floods, it would also review the effectiveness of county and local emergency response plans, according to a news release.
It was previously reported that the Delaware River has flooded eight times in 20 years, with floods in 2004, 2005 and 2006 eclipsing the historic flood of 1955. The Raritan River has flooded 24 times since 2000, and 116 times since 1923.
"As a lifelong resident of Somerset County, I have seen far too many homes and small businesses that have been irreversibly damaged by flooding," Bateman said. "The residents who continue to come to me with these concerns deserve answers, which is one of the many reasons why we advocated for establishing this task force.
"After generations of coping with serious flooding, it is relieving to know that we now have a pathway to protecting our communities from future severe weather events."
Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, said while the organization supports the idea of a task force, there is a concern it will only promote more flood control projects, like dykes and levees, rather than other alternatives.
"Christie has already weakened flooding protections, such as the Flood Hazard Rules, that get rid of buffers and allow for dangerous development," Tittel said. "We support the idea of a Flood Advisory Task Force, but this one is lacking.
"It fails to mention climate change or sea level rise. It also does not address buy-outs or non-structural ways to reduce flooding, such as blue and green roofs. There are other, holistic, ways to prevent flooding of a watershed, such as protecting forests and wetlands."
Tittel added that the task force won't be effective if it doesn't address development in flood-prone areas or the amount of open space in these area lost to buildings and parking lots.
It is expected the task force will submit a final report within a year of its formation, which begins with the naming of members. The task force will include:
- A representative from the state Department of Environmental Protection
- A person from the state Office of Emergency Management
- two mayors who represent municipalities located in the Delaware River basin
- two mayors who represent municipalities located in the Raritan River basin
- one representative each from the Hunterdon and Somerset Offices of Emergency Management
- one person from the Millstone and Raritan Rivers Flood Control Commission
- two people with expertise in engineering, flood mitigation, public planning or environmental protection
"Towns like Bound Brook are finally getting long-awaited relief from the Army Corps of Engineers project, but there are still many other towns like Manville and Rocky Hill that have been dealing with flooding for decades," Zwicker said. "The goal of this task force is to bring together experts in the field and local officials with keen insight so that comprehensive strategies can be formulated to mitigate damage from future flooding events.
"I'm looking forward to reviewing the task force's final report and working with my colleagues on any legislative solutions that may come out of it."
Craig Turpin may be reached at cturpin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @NJeditor. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
