[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 30, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2182-E2183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          EARMARK DECLARATION

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 29, 2008

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I submit the following:
  Requesting Member: Rep. Christopher H. Smith
  Bill Number: HR 2638
  Account: Federal Emergency Management Agency's Pre-Disaster 
Mitigation
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: City of Trenton
  Address of Requesting Entity: City of Trenton
  Description of Request:
  The City of Trenton will use the $500,000 in Pre-Disaster Mitigation 
funding in the FY 2009 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill to begin 
elevating the utilities of 270 flood prone properties that have 
suffered severe and repetitive physical damage resulting in significant 
economic loss.
  Trenton's Island and Glen Afton neighborhoods are greatly affected by 
rapidly rising flood water as a result of their proximity to the 
Delaware River. These two neighborhoods are bordered by the Delaware 
River to the southwest and the Delaware and Raritan Canal to the 
northwest. Route 29 (a four lane state highway that traverses the City) 
splits the two neighborhoods; causing an island-like geography.
  These waterfront communities are home to approximately 270 
structures, many of which are occupied by single family working class 
homeowners who have suffered great financial loss as a result of: water 
damaged electrical distribution systems, hot water heaters and central 
heating units, as well as the loss of personal items that can never be 
replaced.
  Six historical river crests (occurring from the earlier part of the 
20th century until present) have caused considerable property damage 
and interrupted sewer, electric and gas services, causing the 
evacuation of these neighborhoods. Although these neighborhoods are 
designated as a 100 year flood plain, the last two floods occurred 
within seven months of each other (September 2004 and April 2005). Just 
as the Island and Glen Afton residents saw their lives getting back to 
some semblance of normalcy, the second flood occurred, resulting in 
lost wages, belongings, property, major systems and complete 
dislocation.
  One major contributing factor to the early flooding is the storm 
sewer outfall, which provides an early entry point for water to 
backflow into the lower points of the Island and Glen Afton 
neighborhoods via the storm sewer system during early flood stages. 
However, once the river reaches two feet above flood stage,

[[Page E2183]]

the entire Island and Glen Afton neighborhoods will flood. The City of 
Trenton wishes to assist the most affected residents so that property 
loss and displacement are minimized.
  This project is designed to elevate the utilities of approximately 
270 properties that have suffered repetitive damages.The 270 identified 
properties will abandon the use of their basements and elevate their 
major systems by rewiring the electrical system and redirecting the 
duct work so that the hot water heating and heating system can be moved 
to above the first floor; minimizing loss during future floods.

                          ____________________