Elected officials and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) officials review plans for South River flood mitigation projects on May 30. Pictured are (l-r) Joseph Seebode, deputy district engineer for USACE; David Gentile, project manager for the USACE; John Moyle, manager of dam safety and flood control, Office of Engineering and Construction within the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; Col. Paul Owen, commander of the USACE New York District; U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12); and Jim Hutchinson, a South River councilman whose home sustained significant damage during superstorm Sandy. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF RUSH HOLT SOUTH RIVER — U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) joined senior officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and local authorities to tour ongoing South River flood mitigation projects.
“I want the [Army] Corps of Engineers to show local officials that the project is on course,” Holt said on May 31. “The [Army] Corps of Engineers is capable of very good work to safeguard these communities.”
The project area is prone to imminent and severe flooding from hurricanes and other storms, including both flooding from upstream and tidal surges from the Raritan River, with significant flooding events dating back more than 50 years.
The project will include construction of a storm surge barrier, two levees and interior drainage facilities, as well as environmental restoration.
Holt previously wrote to Lt. General Thomas Bostick, the commanding general of the USACE, urging that funds made available in the superstorm Sandy disaster relief bill be dedicated to advancing the South River project.