DeCroce: We Cannot Lose Sight of the Flooding Problems that Plague North Jersey
WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 22, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce (R- Morris/Passaic) says the state Department of Environmental Protection’s ( DEP) flood buyout program must include homes in the Passaic River Basin, not just South and Central Jersey.
According to published reports, the DEP plans to unveil a plan in the next two to three weeks for buying out roughly 1,000 flood-prone homes.
DeCroce says that while the Jersey Shore and some Central Jersey communities have garnered the lion’s share of government interest and financing for flood relief, the problem remains acute in the river basin area that encompasses Morris and Passaic counties.
BettyLou DeCroce
“Flooding in the Passaic River Basin long predates Superstorm Sandy. People in the basin have been enduring worsening flood disasters for four decades. The state and federal governments must focus more attention on this area before the next deluge wipes out more homes and businesses,” said DeCroce.
The assemblywoman noted that extensive flooding in the region not only destroys private property and creates hardships for individuals, but also takes a toll on the regional economy, municipal services and public infrastructure. Hurricane Irene losses totaled hundreds of millions of dollars for individuals and business owners.
“The business and household income losses after Hurricane Irene were extraordinary,” says DeCroce, a real estate professional. “People from throughout the region were driven from their homes, businesses were forced to close and residents lost income. The storm was an economic disaster.
“While I appreciate the government’s focus on areas hit hard by Sandy, we cannot lose sight of the fact the people in the river basins of North Jersey live with the constant threat of flooding with each heavy rain or Nor’easter,” said DeCroce
“More state and federal resources need to be dedicated to flood remediation and home buyouts in North Jersey.”
