newjerseynewsroom.com

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Legislation sponsored by Middlesex County Democratic legislators to help combat the flooding of the South River in Sayreville was approved Thursday by a 7 to 4 vote of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

The bill (A-3138) would provide $1.047 million to the state Department of Environmental Protection for support flood control of the South River in Sayreville. The funding would come from the Dam, Lake, Stream, Flood Control, Water Resources, and Wastewater Treatment Project Bond Act of 2003. The measure is expected to be voted on by the full upper house on Monday.

“The people of Sayerville have had to put up with regular flooding along the South River for decades, and the ensuing property damage, traffic headaches and other problems that come along with it,” Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex), a Senate sponsor, said. “Under this bill, we can take steps to get the ball rolling on flood control projects which will help mitigate the impact of flooding on Sayerville residents’ property and livelihood. It’s time for the state to step up and lend a helping hand to improve the quality of life in Sayerville after and during a major storm.”

The South River is the geographic border separating Sayreville and South River. Since the mid-1990’s floodwaters following heavy rains and nor’easters have caused considerable flooding along the Sayreville side of the river, causing significant and repeated property damage for those residents living in the river’s flood plain.

The Army Corps of Engineers is in the process of completing a study of the area and is formulating how best to design a long-term flood remediation program. In the meantime, the residents of Sayreville continue to battle floodwaters after heavy rains.

“As residents of Sayreville know all too well, floodwaters have a devastating and long-lasting effect on safety, quality of life and property,” Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), a lower house co-sponsor, said. “This legislation would help fund temporary remediation that would keep floodwaters at bay until the federal government and the Army Corps of Engineers can enact a permanent flood prevention solution.”

Republican aides argue it's the Democrats who are wrong. They maintain the $1.047 million would have to come from appropriations already set aside for Passaic and Morris towns, including the $353,000.

Sen. Kevin J. O'Toole (R-Passaic) a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, denounced the panel’s approval of the bill, charging it would take funding from Passaic River Valley flood control efforts to pay for a project in Wisniewski’s hometown. Wisniewski is state Democratic chairman.

"Residents of the Passaic River Valley were affected by flood damage due to Hurricane Irene and the October snowstorm more than any other region in the state," O'Toole said. "It is unconscionable that the State Democratic Chairman would try to take funds that have been appropriated to mitigate Passaic River flooding and redirect them to his hometown at the 11th hour of this legislative session."

Assembly Democrats responded that O’Toole is wrong. Democrats said $353,000 in state aid for flood control was awarded to Passaic and Morris county towns last year. They said the latest bill does not take funding from the Passaic Valley.

Assemblyman Craig J. Couglin (D-Middlesex) is the other co-sponsor of the bill.