Sherrill Secures Key NJ-11 Priorities in Water Resources Legislation

Washington, DC -- Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) announced the inclusion of key priorities in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) for communities in the 11th District. The legislation included an authorization for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move forward with the Peckman River Basin Flood Risk Management project. Flooding is an extremely important issue in the 11th District, and has plagued this area of New Jersey for decades.

"Flooding has plagued the 11th District for decades, and the Peckman River Basin is no exception," said Representative Sherrill. "The Peckman River Basin has frequently flooded, and for more than a generation, the towns of Little Falls and Woodland Park have faced these challenges largely on their own. I'm proud to have fought for the authorization of the Peckman River project alongside Congressman Pascrell so that we can take another step toward providing much needed relief these towns deserve. We must continue to address flooding across North Jersey, and the Water Resources Development Act is just one piece of this work. I will continue to fight for all of our towns affected by flooding, including advocating for federal support of flood mitigation projects and addressing challenges with the National Flood Insurance Program."

"This is a milestone that some thought we would never achieve," said Woodland Park Mayor Keith Kazmark. "The authorization by Congress to move forward with the Peckman River Flood Mitigation Project takes us yet another step forward to saving life and property in Woodland Park and Little Falls."

"The incredible progress made on the Peckman River Flood Mitigation Project over the past few years, and now with the authorization by Congress to move forward, is providing much needed hope to the residents and business owners in Little Falls and Woodland Park who have been devastated time and time again by the Peckman River," said Little Falls Mayor James Damiano.

Representative Sherrill chaired an Environment Subcommittee meeting earlier this year on the science of federal flood maps related to climate change, during which she highlighted data-based issues that multiple municipalities in NJ-11 have faced with the flood map revision process.

The Water Resources Development Act also includes a pilot program Rep. Sherrill requested to evaluate opportunities to address the flood risk reduction and hurricane and storm damage reduction needs for economically disadvantaged communities.

Further, the legislation directs the Corps to carry out a demonstration program for detecting, treating, preventing, and eliminating harmful algal blooms. These studies will be carried out at federal expense, and will specifically include the inland waters of New Jersey. Rep. Sherrill fought for the inclusion of New Jersey in the demonstration program in response to the HABs at Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey's largest lake.

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