Congresswoman continues her work to mitigate flooding and bring federal dollars back to NJ-11 to address critical water infrastructure challenges
Washington, DC -- Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) delivered key wins for North Jersey in the bipartisan 2022 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) passed by the House this week. WRDA authorizes funding for locally-driven projects and studies led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) to tackle water resource challenges across the country, including NJ-11. This bill advances critical flood control projects and supports programs for water and wastewater services for North Jersey communities. It now moves to the Senate for a vote.
"The Water Resources Development Act ensures our local communities are able to get the support they need from the federal government on tackling key water infrastructure issues, such as flooding, PFAS, and harmful algae blooms," said Rep. Sherrill. "I am particularly proud that this bipartisan bill includes provisions that will continue my work to respond to the impacts of severe weather by strengthening flood control and river management as well as building resilient neighborhoods. This legislation will be essential to bringing our hard-earned tax dollars back to local communities in NJ-11 to tackle these important issues. I urge the Senate to swiftly pass this critical piece of legislation so we can bring it to the President's desk."
WRDA advances critical projects and studies for flood risk management in NJ-11, which Rep. Sherrill championed in Congress, in response to hearing directly from the community and local stakeholders, including authorizing:
The ACOE to conduct needed feasibility studies to evaluate potential flood risk management projects in all four counties in NJ-11;
A General Investigation Watershed Study of the Whippany River, which is the first step for the ACOE to conduct needed flood mitigation projects around the river, impacting areas of Morristown, Hanover Township, Parsippany and Florham Park that experience systemic severe flooding;
Over $180 million in federal funding for the ACOE to conduct drinking water infrastructure and water supply improvement projects to reduce harmful PFAS mitigation and well replacements across NJ-11;
$90 million in funding for the ACOE to install public sanitary sewers along the lakefront area of Jefferson Township, which would significantly help reduce the growth of Harmful Algal Blooms in Lake Hopatcong;
The ACOE to conduct a Watershed and River Basin Assessment of the Passaic River, whose frequent flooding has caused significant damage for the surrounding towns and many North Jersey residents;
Specific direction for the ACOE to take action to address the spread of harmful algal blooms in Lake Hopatcong;
A general Investigation Watershed Study of the Peckman River, for the towns of Verona, Cedar Grove, West Caldwell and the surrounding areas, which have long been subject to frequent and damaging flooding.
Earlier this spring, Rep. Sherrill secured passage of her legislation, the Providing Research and Estimates of Changes In Precipitation (PRECIP) Act, in the House. The PRECIP Act updates out-of-date precipitation data by providing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with consistent funding to collect data and conduct studies. This legislation works to protect communities from the increasing frequency of flooding and rainfall in North Jersey.
Rep. Sherrill also secured funding for a number of local community projects in NJ-11 to mitigate flooding and strengthen our water infrastructure in the House Appropriations Committee Fiscal Year 2022 bill. On behalf of NJ-11, Rep. Sherrill submitted requests for additional community projects to address critical water infrastructure challenges in the upcoming House Appropriations Committee Fiscal Year 2023 bill.
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