Lance: Time to Fix Rahway River Flooding

Press Release

"It's time for a lasting solution for the residents of Cranford, Kenilworth, Maplewood, Millburn, Rahway, Springfield and Union and the surrounding areas. Severe flooding has for too long challenged these communities and caused great hardship for many residents. It's time to get this project moving and protect these towns," said Lance.

The solution, known as Alternative 4A, includes a modification to the Orange Reservoir and downstream channel improvements through Cranford as well as the acquisition of numerous properties in the City of Rahway. The fix was selected based on a cost benefit analysis and has the support of the local municipalities

The tour was given to the lawmakers and the Army Corps to gain a first-hand look of the work. Pre-construction could begin as soon as the Rahway River Basin Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study is completed. Lance has personally advocated for funding of the study. Lance successfully secured appropriation language funding for the project in the draft of a spending measure.

Lance also secured legislative language in the Water Resources Development Act, which passed out of the U.S. House Transportation Committee earlier this Spring. That legislation urges expedited completion of the feasibility study on the Rahway River Upper Basin project. Further, when the feasibility study is completed, and if the project is determined by USACE to be justified for construction, then USACE may proceed with preconstruction planning, engineering and design. The U.S. Senate is expected to pass its version of the Water Resources Development Act this week with the Rahway language included and Lance has called for the House to act quickly on the measure.

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