CHIVUKULA APPLAUDS LAUTENBERG & MENENDEZ FOR HELPING BRING IN $24M FOR N.J. WATER PROJECTS INCLUDING FLOOD MITIGATION & PREVENTION

(TRENTON) Assembly Utilities Chairman Upendra J. Chivukula today applauded New Jersey Senators Frank E. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) for helping bring in $24M in funding for New Jersey water projects including flood prevention and mitigation.

The panel Chivukula chairs oversees New Jersey's water, natural gas, and power utilities.

Lautenberg and Menendez recently announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will receive more than $24M for beach replenishment, flood mitigation, environmental restoration, and waterway navigation projects. The funding comes from the Fiscal Year 2012 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, which funds the Corps.

Chivukula (D-Somerset\Middlesex) issued the following statement:

"Nearly two million New Jersey residents suffered power outages when Hurricane Irene whipped across the Eastern Seaboard in August last year while the severe flooding in its aftermath plunged the state into chaos and devastation;

"Entire towns became islands as they were submerged in flood waters from rivers and streams that rose to record highs, including the Passaic River which overflowed to the highest point in a century;

"Tens of thousands of New Jersey residents were affected by the flooding which caused billions of dollars in property damage;

"Lives were lost. Homes and businesses were destroyed. Power lines were ripped from poles. Trees were snapped into half. Road and bridge closures paralyzed many parts of the state;

"The lessons learned from Hurricane Irene underscore the urgency of investing in flood prevention and storm damage reduction projects such as the replenishment of beaches and strengthening of river banks;

"We commend Senators Lautenberg and Menendez for helping bring in critical funding for the U.S. Army Corps that will help flood mitigation and prevention efforts."

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