FUNDS WILL SUPPORT U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FLOOD PREVENTION PROJECTS, INCLUDING SEVERAL IN NEW JERSEY

(Washington, D.C.) – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Fiscal Year 2013 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which includes $2 million in new funding for flood prevention secured by an amendment written by U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12).

 “When Hurricane Irene hit New Jersey last year, it cast more than 10,000 people from their homes and left more than 190,000 utility customers without power,” Holt said in introducing his amendment on the House floor.  “Eleven inland rivers and their tributaries crested, some at record levels.  The best time to address flooding is before severe weather occurs.”

The 2012 hurricane season began on June 1.

Holt’s amendment increases by $2 million the funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide comprehensive flood protection and ensure readiness to respond to floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.  Many Corps projects are already underway across the nation to ensure disaster readiness, including New Jersey projects at Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay in Middletown Township and at the Green Brook Sub-Basin of the Raritan River Basin.

Holt’s amendment also was fiscally responsible and resulted in $1 million in deficit reduction.

Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11), the chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, provided crucial support to Holt’s amendment.  “[Holt] has been a longtime advocate for projects important to his district, and I commend him for that, and I agree with him – with his desire to invest more in water resources infrastructure,” Frelinhuysen said during debate on the House floor.  “There have been numerous flood control needs, for instance, across the entire country, including our home state of New Jersey.  Experience has shown us that it’s cheaper to try to prevent flood damages than trying to recover from them.”

The bill still must be passed by the Senate and signed by the President in order to become law.