[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 142 (Wednesday, November 1, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S11490]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NEW JERSEY STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROJECT

  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I rise today regarding a matter of 
great importance to the entire State of New Jersey. My home state is 
confronted with an array of complex challenges related to the 
environment and economic development. However, one issue in particular, 
the over development of land and stormwater management, has become 
especially concerning because of the impact it is having on our 
watersheds and floodplains.
  As you may know, this past August vast parts of northern New Jersey 
were devastated by flooding caused by severe rainfall. The resulting 
natural disaster threatened countless homes, bridges and roads, not to 
mention the health, safety and welfare of area residents. The total 
figure for damages in Sussex and Morris Counties alone has been 
estimated at over $50 million, and area residents are still fighting to 
restore some degree of normalcy to their lives. According to the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, in just those two counties, 34 
dams were damaged, 6 bridges were damaged and 4 were destroyed, and 10 
municipal buildings were damaged.
  While the threat of future floods continues to plague the region, one 
New Jersey institution is taking concrete steps to prevent another 
flooding catastrophe. The New Jersey Institute of Technology, NJIT, has 
been studying the challenges posed by flooding and stormwater flows for 
some time, and is ready to create a multi-agency federal partnership to 
continue this important research.
  NJIT is one of New Jersey's premier research institutions and is 
uniquely equipped to carry out this critical stormwater research. The 
university has a long and distinguished tradition of responding to 
difficult public-policy challenges such as environmental emissions 
standards, aircraft noise, traffic congestion and alternative energy. 
More broadly, NJIT has demonstrated an institutional ability to direct 
its intellectual resources to the examination of problems beyond 
academia, and its commitment to research allows it to serve as a 
resource for unbiased technological information and analysis. Indeed, I 
originally requested that NJIT be given the funds to take on this 
Stormwater flood control and management project.
  Despite that, the 2000 Water Resources Development Act, WRDA, still 
presents an excellent opportunity for NJIT to partner with the federal 
government and solve the difficult problem of flood control. At my 
request, and in close coordination with my House colleagues from the 
state delegation, the final version of this important legislation 
includes a provision directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to 
develop and implement a stormwater flood control project in New Jersey 
and report back to Congress within three years on its progress. While 
the Corps of Engineers is familiar with this problem at the national 
level, it does not have the firsthand knowledge and experience in New 
Jersey that NJIT has accrued in its 119 years of service to New Jersey. 
Including NJIT's expertise and experience in this research effort is a 
logical step and would greatly benefit the Army Corps, as well as 
significantly improve the project's chances of success.
  Therefore, I urge the New York District of the Corps of Engineers to 
work closely with my office and NJIT to ensure the universities full 
participation in this study. By working together, we can create a nexus 
between the considerable flood control expertise of the Army Corps and 
NJIT, and finally solve this difficult problem for the people of New 
Jersey. I hope my colleagues will support my efforts in this regard.

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