Saturday, February 9, 2013
Wagner and Eustace bill to protect public from flooding and facilitate smart development approved by Assembly panel, advances to the full Assembly for approval.
In the wake of Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy, legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Connie Wagner and Tim Eustace to help protect the public from flooding and facilitate smart development was approved by an Assembly panel on Thursday. The legislation (A-3262) would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to quickly evaluate any newly released FEMA floodway delineations in order to allow permit applicants to apply for a permit using the federal floodway delineation when it is at least as protective as the DEP's delineation. "Over the years, many flood maps have become outdated due to urban growth, changes in river flows and coastlines, and even flood mitigation efforts," said Wagner. "A home or business that …
Friday, October 26, 2012
In advance of Sandy, Governor orders reservoirs lowered and flood gates opened.
Hearing the pleas of local officials and their constituents devastated by the flooding that followed Hurricane Irene, Governor Chris Christie has announced that he has ordered the reservoirs to be lowered in advance of Hurricane Sandy to mitigate any potential flooding. Hurricane Sandy, christened 'Frankenstorm' because of its unique characteristics, has been described by weather services as a cross between a hurricane and a winter storm, packing the potential to deliver a minimum of 4-5 inches of rain with 30-40 mile per hour winds. The reservoirs that will be lowered are the Woodcliffe Lake-Lake Tappan-Oradell Reservoir system operated by United Water in Bergen County; the Charlottesburg Reservoir, operated by the City of Newark; the …
Friday, July 6, 2012
Applications available through August
New Jersey is looking for its next generation of environmental leaders, young people with a hands-on desire to improve their state and the quality of life for all of our residents. Some of those future leaders are likely to be found in the Department of Environmental Protection’s AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassadors Program, which is now seeking recruits for its 2013 class. “This is a great program that cultivates our next environmental leaders, young people who will wake up each morning as I do and turn their thoughts to protecting the air, water, lands, and natural and historic resources of our state,’’ said Commissioner Bob Martin. “It is vital to prepare a new generation of leaders to take over that task.’’ Coordinators are …
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Westwood Mayor John Birkner said he wants to know what kind of assistance the state will provide for residents whose homes are damaged during renovations to the Woodcliff Lake Reservoir's dam.
A plan to rehabilitate the dam at the Woodcliff Lake Reservoir may create a scenario which makes flooding more likely along the Pascack Brook, according to Westwood Mayor John Birkner. The plan involves working on the dam to strengthen it to withstand a 1,000-year storm, or a storm so severe it is likely to only occur once every 1,000 years. Church Road in Hillsdale will also be lowered. The Department of Environmental Protection is requiring United Water to undergo the rehabilitation project to ensure the dam holds. As the dam is now, its gate can be raised in the event of heavy rain to prevent all the storm water from flowing into the brook at once. During construction, the gate will have to be kept at 89 feet, which is lower than usual…
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Air Quality Index reaches "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category.
The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection has issued an Air Quality Alert for Bergen County Tuesday, warning residents the state's Air Quality Index is at the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” status. Hot temperatures across the state, combined with sunny skies and southwest winds, the DEP says, will put older adults, children and those with heart and lung conditions at greater risk from exposure to ozone. The DEP recommends limiting outdoor activity for those groups. The alert is in effect until 10 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Thunderstorms in the forecast for later in the day Tuesday are expected to alleviate the poor air quality conditions. The National Weather Service says to expect scattered showers and …
Monday, April 30, 2012
Drought conditions in effect; DEP asks residents to conserve water before summer begins
It is hard to imagine New Milford residents talking drought in light of last year's major flood events, but the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a report last week stating that because of a dry winter and spring, drought conditions remain in effect throughout most of New Jersey and residents should conserve water. “Overall our major water supplies, including reservoirs and deep aquifers, remain in good shape,” DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said in a statement released last Thursday. “But after too much precipitation last year, we’ve now swung in the opposite direction, with months of below normal precipitation. Most concerning is that our stream levels and shallow groundwater supplies are severely stressed. Our goal is to …
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Emotions run high as full-house questions United Water representatives about flooding
After months of demands from residents and officials, representatives for United Water heeded the call Monday night to address flooding concerns in the wake of Hurricane Irene. The three-hour mayor and council meeting included a slide presentation by Richard Henning, a spokesman for United Water, who answered the question New Milford residents have been asking since the August storm left several homes and businesses underwater: Can United Water make the decision to release water, or does that determination come from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)? New Milford officials have been trying to reach an agreement with the agency, along with the DEP and the state Office of Emergency Management to facilitate releasing water …
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Standing room only as flooding dominates public comments; Mayor and Council vow to be the public's best advocate in seeking flood relief
Borough officials are working to ensure New Milford residents won't continue to suffer from floods after every major storm, Mayor Ann Subrizi said at the mayor and council meeting Monday night. After a delayed start due to an extended closed session, Subrizi assured the public that she and the council are pursuing three simultaneous projects: In order to effect these changes, Subrizi said she is seeking assistance from all levels of government, including Congressman Scott Garrett's office, in getting the Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the Hackensack River, which she claims would help displace water faster and ease the strain of overflow. "I don't accept the fact that the Army Corps of Engineers won't come here," Subrizi said. "I intend …
Ulises
9:39 pm on Saturday, February 9, 2013
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