New Flood Study Released, Union Co. Residents Urged To Give Feedback

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released a new coastal flooding study that covers parts of Union County and the metropolitan New York/New Jersey area.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is encouraging residents to review the study, which is available online here, and provide feedback.

As part of the flood control planning process, the USACE will hold a series of public meetings later this year.

“We strongly encourage residents, business owners and other stakeholders in Union County to review the study, prepare questions and suggestions, and participate in the public meetings once they are scheduled,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams. “This project will be the largest of its kind ever undertaken by the USACE. We anticipate that it will make a significant difference in our community, and to millions of people in the metro area.”

“The new coastal study complements our ongoing work with the USACE on flood mitigation for inland parts of Union County. These are complex projects and we thank USACE, and state and federal partners, for ensuring that we continue to make progress on these vital infrastructure improvements,” said Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, who met with staff from USACE and other experts to review the new report earlier this month.

The NY & NJ Harbor Study describes a “Tentatively Selected Plan” to reduce the risk of coastal storm surge by building storm surge barriers at the entrance to Arthur Kill in New Jersey and various waterways in New York, along with natural features and other measures to mitigate flooding from storm surges.

Inland communities, such as those along the Passaic River, are among those expected to benefit from these projects.

The Tentatively Selected Plan also provides for minimizing impacts on environmental or cultural resources, while still meeting the goal of reducing flood risk.

The NY & NJ study is part of the USACE’s North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study. Building on lessons learned from Hurricane Sandy, the Comprehensive Study is designed to assess and understand flood risks associated with climate change, and to help at-risk communities better prepare for future flood risks, based on latest scientific information available.

Links for the Comprehensive Study are available at the NY & NJ Harbor Study web page, https://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Projects-in-New-York/New-York-New-Jersey-Harbor-Tributaries-Focus-Area-Feasibility-Study/

The public is invited to submit comments on the NYNJHAT study Draft Report by emailing NYNJHarbor.TribStudy@usace.army.mil between now and January 6, 2023, when the comment period will close.