House Gives Final Approval to $15 Million for Marlboro Watershed Restoration Project

Washington, D.C. --- The U.S. House of Representatives last night approved a water resources development conference report that authorizes $15 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move ahead with small-scale watershed restoration projects like stream bank restoration in Marlboro, said U.S. Reps. Rush Holt (D-NJ) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), who requested the project be included in the final report.

The conference report reconciles different bills water resources bills that were passed earlier this year by the House and Senate. The Senate is expected to approve the conference report this week and then it heads to the president's desk for his approval.

Over the past two decades, Marlboro Township has experienced large population growth, resulting in an increase in housing and commercial development. This development, along with inadequate infrastructure, has caused various watershed related problems including water quality, erosion, deposition, environmental degradation and flooding.

With the passage of this legislation, the Township will begin to work with the Army Corps to develop and implement a comprehensive watershed management plan in order to address these problems. Marlboro Township already developed a management plan for the Deep Run Watershed, and now plans to do the same for Barclay Brook, Milford Brook, and Yellow Brook Watersheds.

"The House today approved critical federal involvement in an innovative plan by Marlboro Township to address watershed problems that have developed due to a huge population growth over the last two decades," Pallone said. "I commend Marlboro Township for coming up with creative solutions to its watershed problems, and I hope that we can now move this plan forward with assistance from the federal government."

“The House’s approval of this legislation is a real and constructive step in helping to preserve water quality in Marlboro and to protect the environment from erosion, flooding, and other damage,” said Holt. “Marlboro Township understands that addressing watershed issues is vital for the quality of life of its residents. I look forward to the Senate’s passage of WRDA so that New Jersey communities receive the assistance they need.”

The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA) authorizes water projects for the Army Corps, and is intended to be considered by Congress every two years. While authorization legislation lists specific funding levels, the Marlboro project must still go through the annual appropriations process to receive the funding included in WRDA.