Rep. Sherrill Secures WRDA Provisions to Combat Flooding, Harmful Algal Blooms, PFAS in North Jersey in FY23 NDAA

Washington, DC– Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) secured key wins for NJ-11 in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which was included in the final House-passedNational Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023. WRDA ensures North Jersey communities receive the support they need from the federal government in tackling key water infrastructure issues, such as flooding, PFAS, and harmful algal blooms. 

“I am proud we were able to come together and pass the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act with provisions that protect our neighborhoods from flooding, restore our environment and ecosystems, and strengthen our nation’s supply chains by supporting our ports and harbors,” said Rep. Sherrill. “This legislation brings our hard-earned tax dollars back to the local communities in NJ-11 to advance critical flood control projects and support programs for water and wastewater services for North Jersey communities.”

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. Rep. Sherrill worked with the community and local stakeholders to advance several critical projects and studies for flood risk management in NJ-11. The following authorizations are included in the bill: 

• 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 such as Morristown, East Hanover, Hanover Township,  Parsippany and Florham Park that experience systemic severe flooding;
• Over $90 million in federal funding for the ACOE to conduct drinking water infrastructure and water supply improvement projects to reduce harmful PFAS contamination and to conduct 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;
• A comprehensive study and assessment of frequent flooding across towns in the Passaic River Basin designed to guide future flood control actions;
• 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 year, 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 conduct needed 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 legislation. Additionally 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.