newjerseynewsroom.com

Lautenberg and Pascrell visit Wayne to announce funding

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing more than $28 million to buyout the owners of 149 houses in flood-prone areas of eight New Jersey towns. When the houses are vacated, they will be leveled and the land left as open space.

U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-8th) announced the action during a visit to Wayne on Friday. The money will come from the federal Hazard Mitigation Program and the buyouts will be voluntary.

The action is a result of the federal disaster declaration by President Obama for damage from Hurricane Irene. Obama visited flood-damaged Paterson in early September.

At least $6.3 million will go to buyout 56 homes in Wayne, $3.1 million will go for for approximately 13 homes in Pompton Lakes, $2.9 million for 15 homes in Little Falls, $4.1 million for 18 homes in Lincoln Park, $3.1 million for 12 homes in Fairfield, $3.8 million for 15 homes in Pequannock, $2.9 million for 13 homes in Manville, and $1.9 million for seven homes in Middlesex.

“Hurricane Irene and countless other storms have caused devastation time and time again for families living in dangerous flood prone neighborhoods,” Lautenberg said. "While long-term solutions are being evaluated, this federal grant will prevent future flood damages in many of the communities that are hardest hit by flooding. With this funding, the federal government is helping New Jersey residents move out of harm’s way, and it is creating much-needed open space in some of the areas where we need it most. This is great news for so many communities that suffer from damages when storms hit and I will continue fighting to fund federal flood mitigation programs.”

"After the devastation of Irene and Lee, I applaud all the federal, state and local officials, who have worked to expedite a process that can typically take over a year,” Pascrell said. “Getting people out of harm's way is a key element of managing the flood-prone areas of Passaic County. Our efforts to address flood problems in the 8th District do not stop when the flooding subsides. After cutting through the red tape, this FEMA hazard mitigation funding will help people in the flood-prone areas of Wayne, Pompton Lakes and Little Falls relocate and begin better lives."