Affects towns in Morris, Passaic and Bergen counties

A 15-point plan to deal with flooding in the Passaic River Basin in Morris, Passaic and Bergen counties was unveiled Thursday by the Passaic River Flood Advisory Commission.

The recommendations include enhanced efforts to buy flood-prone properties, elevate homes in flood areas, improve the operation of the Pompton Lake floodgates, increase river de-snagging and shoal dredging efforts, create larger flood water storage areas, steer future development away from flood zones, create better water flow in Passaic Basin rivers, and directs the DEP to expedite permits for county and municipal projects aimed at eliminating or reducing flooding.

The plan is the culmination of an eight-month effort by the commission, which was created by Gov. Chris Christie to consider the causes and impacts of flooding, and to come up with potential long- and short-term remedies to help minimize a problem that has long impacted towns along the river.