Pallone: House Gives Final Funding Approval for Beach Replenishment and Flood Control Projects
Washington, D.C. --- The U.S. House of Representatives today gave final funding approval for the continuation of critical beach replenishment and flood control projects in Monmouth and Middlesex Counties, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) announced. The funds were part of a conference report reconciling separate Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bills passed in the House and Senate earlier this year.
The final report included funding for two Central Jersey water projects that were not included in President Bushs Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 budget. Pallone secured funding for the two projects, South River and Port Monmouth, as well as all the other projects after officially requesting the funds in a letter to House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Sonny Callahan (R-AL) in March. The spending bill now goes to the Senate for final approval before being sent to the presidents desk. Fiscal Year 2004 officially began on October 1, 2003.
Following, is a list of the beach replenishment and flood control projects that received funding:
BEACH RENOURISHMENT PROJECTS:
Sandy Hook to Barnegat Inlet: $3 million to start construction of periodic renourishment at beaches between Asbury Park and Manasquan.
Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay: $100,000 to begin construction of this beach replenishment project. The Corps previously constructed levees in the areas of Old Bridge Township, Keansburg, and North Middletown. Erosion of the beach fill placed by the Corps many years ago in these areas has, however, increased the potential for flooding due to coastal storm inundation. This new beach nourishment will alleviate the flooding problem and effectively extend the economic life of this project.
Port Monmouth: $250,000 to move this project to the construction phase, which is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2004 (Presidents budget did not suggest any funding for this project.)
Leonardo: $150,000 to continue the feasibility study.
Highlands: $200,000 to continue the feasibility study.
Keyport: $200,000 to continue the feasibility study.
Union Beach: $100,000 to continue the preconstruction, engineering and design.
FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS:
South River: $100,000 to begin the preconstruction, engineering and design (PED) phase of this project. (Presidents budget did not suggest any funding for this project.)
Shrewsbury River Basin and Tributaries: $150,000 to continue the feasibility study of this important flood control project.