NEW YORK —The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District announces that
Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, Chief of Engineers has signed a Chief’s Report for the Peckman River Basin Flood Risk Management Study — a key milestone for the proposed project.
"This is a major milestone in our efforts to protect flood-weary residents of Little Falls and Woodland Park along the Peckman River from future floods," said Sen. Robert Menendez. "As we've learned after Floyd, Irene and Superstorm Sandy, the investments we make in flood mitigation and resiliency pale in comparison to the price we pay to clean up and rebuild after a devastating storm. The Peckman and adjacent Passaic River basins are notorious for bringing pain and suffering to the communities they run through after heavy downpours. By advancing this project, we are one step closer to delivering relief to those local residents and business owners in harm's way. I thank the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NJDEP, and our community stakeholders for their efforts on this project and will continue working with them to meet our shared goal of ensuring the safety of all New Jerseyans."
"The completion of the Army Corps of Engineers' Chief's Report for the Peckman River project is a welcome achievement for residents who have been burdened with repetitive flooding for decades,” said Sen. Corey Booker. “As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I stand committed to seeing Congress authorize and fund this project so that residents in Little Falls, Woodland Park, and the entire Peckman River Basin are better protected from floodwaters."
“I am incredibly pleased to see the Chief’s Report for the Peckman River Basin Flood Risk Management study and I want to thank the Army Corps for their hard work on this,” said Rep. Mikie Sherrill. “The Peckman River Basin frequently floods, and for more than a generation, the towns of Little Falls and Woodland Park have faced these challenges largely on their own. I urge the Assistant Secretary of the Army to consider this report so that we can move the project forward and provide the much needed relief that these towns deserve.”
“This is a momentous day for residents long impacted by flash floods from the Peckman River. This project will reduce flood risk and improve resiliency for residents and businesses in Little Falls and Woodland Park. The August 2018 Flash Flood event reminds us all too well of the vulnerability of these local communities.” said Col. Thomas D. Asbery, commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District. “This is a tremendous achievement for the region. I commend the incredible work and collaboration by our team and our partners at all levels of government to reach this significant project milestone.”
"We thank our partners at the Army Corps of Engineers for their diligence and expertise to continue enhancing flood resiliency in the region," New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe said. "The progress of this report is great news for New Jersey and particularly the communities impacted by floodwaters from the Peckman River. The implementation of flood risk management measures to divert floodwater to the Passaic River through the installation of culverts, levees and other structures will help protect lives and property."
The Chief’s Report will now undergo further review by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works and Office of Management and Budget before formal submittal to Congress for authorization.
“This project has been in the works since the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd in 1999,” said Mayor Keith Kazmark of Woodland Park. “Many years have passed, but it’s certainly a huge step forward to finally have the Chief’s Report signed and submitted. Our residents need relief from the constant threat of flash flooding from the Peckman River and this project accomplishes that. Now we begin our quest to see the project sent to Congress for funding.”
"I am thrilled to see the tremendous progress that has been made on the Peckman River Project in just the past few years,” said James Belford Damiano, Township of Little Falls. “This project will provide much needed relief to the residents who are most affected during each flash flood event, and worry each time there is a downpour. I would like to thank the Army Corps and all those who work on this project each day to make this project come to fruition."
The New York District partnered with the New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection on the feasibility of implementing flood risk management measures along the Peckman River in the Township of Little Falls and the Borough of Woodland Park in Passaic County, New Jersey.
The Peckman River Project recommends the following:
• A 1,500-foot-long, 40-foot diameter double box diversion culvert to be constructed between the Peckman and Passaic rivers to divert floodwater from the Peckman into the Passaic River.
• Approximately 2,170 linear feet of levees and/or floodwalls to be constructed along the Peckman River.
• Approximately 1,200 linear feet of levees and/or floodwalls to be constructed in the vicinity of Little Falls High School, between the track and baseball fields.
• Channel modifications would be made along approximately 1,848 linear feet of the Peckman River near the culvert inlet to accommodate riprap and eliminate erosion and possible undermining of the proposed levees and floodwalls.• As many as 16 structures would be elevated so their main floor elevations would be to a final height of one foot above the base flood elevation.
• As many as 38 structures would be wet flood proofed, and four structures dry flood proofed.
The next step will be the approval of the Chief’s Report by the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), after which it will be sent to Congress for authorization.
The Chief’s Report and associated documents are available at:
https://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Projects-in-New-Jersey/Peckman-River-Basin/