Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced $59,741,909 in new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to reimburse the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the use of contractors to remove an estimated 850,000 cubic yards of sand and other sediment from waterways in the central region of the state.
The additional sand and sediment as a result of Superstorm Sandywere potential threats to navigation in the waterways.
“Getting New Jersey back to pre-Sandy conditions remains my number one priority,” said Pallone. “ The state faced so many unanticipated costs after Sandy, and it is necessary that FEMA help cover the costs after such a statewide emergency. New Jersey’s navigable waterways are used for commerce, travel, and leisure, and I’m pleased that this very sizable grant will help in removing threatening or impassable blocks. ”
This FEMA grant covers 90% of the entire project, which includes the removal of sand and sediment that may block the waterways and verification that the waterways are not longer threatened with debris. All debris will be recycled or disposed of in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines.
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Press Release, July 17, 2013