Union County Gets Federal Funding For Rahway River Flood Project

UNION COUNTY, NJ — A new federal grant to mitigate flooding from the Rahway River Basin will serve as the blueprint for future flood control efforts, according to the Union County Board of Commissioners.

This grant from the federal government will help fund a feasibility study of the upper portion of the Rahway River and reduce flooding throughout Union County.

“The feasibility study is the key to resolving flood control issues with long term solutions that protect our communities,” Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams said.

Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski said the feasibility study is a complex undertaking that would be "impossible to accomplish with state and local resources alone."

“As climate control continues to wreak havoc on our state with high winds and major flooding, this funding could not come at a better time," Senator Bob Menendez said.

"I was proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to secure this funding for critical Army Corps projects across New Jersey and the nation. I look forward to this project’s progression which will help protect families and communities along the Rahway River Basin."

Senator Cory Booker said it is a matter of when, not if, communities along the Rahway River will flood again. But Booker said this funding will lessen the severity of future flood damage.

"Despite decades of study, my constituents in Union County are still waiting for a solution, which is why I wrote legislation to bring the Army Corps of Engineers back to the table to design and construct an acceptable project," Booker said. "I am glad to see these efforts re-start, and I will continue to fight to ensure that these communities have the resources needed to protect their families and businesses."

The 82-square-mile Rahway River Basin covers a large part of Union County as well as parts of Essex and Middlesex counties, including Clark, Cranford, Fanwood, Garwood, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, Plainfield, Rahway, Scotch Plains, Springfield, Westfield, Winfield Park, Union Township and Summit.

According to the Union County Commissioners, flood control has been a concern among Rahway River communities for generations. The list of most damaging storms on record includes a series of four storms between 1968 and 1975, and another four in the 1990’s. Notable storms over the past 15 years include Hurricane Irene in 2011, Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and Hurricane Ida, which caused severe flooding in eight Rahway River towns last September.

The feasibility project is part of a new $966 million allocation of federal funding for various Army Corps of Engineers projects in New Jersey. An allocation of $1.54 million will enable the study to be completed.