TRENTON – The Senate approved a resolution today sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner that would request that Rutgers University assist the “Flood Mitigation Task Force” in determining the causes and potential solutions to flooding in New Jersey.
“Mercer County has faced more than its fair share of floods over the last few years,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “Fortunately, with advanced planning and constant maintenance of our dams and waterways, we can reduce the frequency and severity of floods. In order for these plans to be as comprehensive as possible, we need to get input from the State’s best and brightest – and for New Jersey that means getting Rutgers involved.”
In response to a series of three floods from April 2004 to April 2005, Governor Codey created a Flood Mitigation Task Force, which is comprised of professional engineers, public and elected officials, academics, planners and others who have firsthand knowledge about flooding issues. An estimated 3,500 homes, many of which were in Mercer County along the Delaware River, were affected by the flooding, with at least 5,600 people evacuated. This resolution, SR-29, would seek to provide additional support from Rutgers to this group.
The resolution passed the Senate by a voice vote. It will now be filed with the Secretary of State.