N.J. Pushes Bi-state Flood Commission

Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation in January creating an 18-member Rockland-Bergen Bi-state River Commission made up of officials and residents of both states to coordinate the management and flood prevention of waterways that flow between Bergen County, N.J. and Rockland County, N.Y.

Thus far, however, New Jersey legislators don't feel New York legistators have moved along with enough urgency.

Senator Robert Gordon and Assembly members Connie Wagner and Tim Eustace, along with other members of the Bergen County delegation and some area mayors, have signed a letter addressed to the New York State Senate urging them to pass legislation that has already been enacted by New Jersey in order to create a Rockland-Bergen Bi-state flood commission. 

Citing the devastating effects of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee on the residents of New York and New Jersey and on the budgets of municipal governments, the legislators want to cross the border and join forces to work together to achieve "better outcomes during future weather events." 

From Lake DeForest in West Nyack, the Hackensack River feeds into three reservoirs — Lake Tappan in Rockland County, and Woodcliff Lake and Oradell in Bergen County. Because these three reservoirs are capable of holding much less water than Lake DeForest, releasing water upstream can cause severe flooding downstream.

According to the legislation, the commission will focus on the Hackensack River, Sparkill Creek, Saddle River and the Ramapo River and their tributaries that cross the interstate border to come up with a "comprehensive bi-state approach" to identify and remediate potential flood hazards that have devastated communities along those waterways.  

The commission will be charged with "assessing projected development and land use" and the potential impact on the waterways; coordinate environmental cleanup; and coordinate with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation their watershed management programs.

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