POMPTON LAKES— Following ten years of work on the House Transportation Subcommittee on Water Resources to fund the Pompton Lakes Dam modification, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) praised U.S. Rep Scott Garrett (R-NJ-05), the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and a number of state and local officials for their cooperation in helping to complete this project.  The newly modified Pompton Lakes Dam will contribute to a greater quality of life for those living along the Ramapo River, particularly in the Borough of Pompton Lakes, Wayne Township and the Borough of Oakland.

“The completion of this project demonstrates how Congress and the Army Corps can work together to positively impact local communities.  Overcoming funding restrictions to complete this project was no easy task, but together we prioritized the people of the Pompton Lakes region, and delivered results.  I am proud to have worked across party lines with Congressman Garrett, and to have joined with the Army Corps of Engineers and community leaders to mitigate flooding in this region.”

Congressman Garrett said, “I am very happy for the residents of the Pompton Lakes area that this essential project has been completed.  This dam will protect hundreds of families and their homes from the floods that have plagued the area in the past.  This project is the product of bipartisan cooperation, and it goes to show what good work can be done when we focus together on solving problems.  I thank Congressman Pascrell and the Army Corps of Engineers for their work on this important project.”

"I want to thank Reps. Garrett and Pascrell, the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection, and elected officials and residents of the towns of Oakland, Wayne and Pompton Lakes, for their strong support of this important flood damage reduction project.  Just last month, this project was successfully tested for the first time and flood damage was averted to some 350 homes," said Col. Nello Tortora, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District Engineer. "This is an important milestone in achieving flood damage reduction in this region," he added.

Funding to complete the Pompton Lakes Dam was threatened last year when the Army Corps shifted $1.75 million appropriated specifically for the project towards another priority.  Rep. Pascrell worked with Rep. Garrett, and Senators Frank Lautenberg and Bob Menendez to reach an agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers and the congressional committees of jurisdiction to return the money.  Less than one month later, the House passed the “Energy and Water Development Act” which included another $455,000 to complete the Pompton Lakes Dam project.  

Pascrell concluded, “Flooding is a major problem in Passaic and Bergen Counties.  It destroys property, ruins livelihood, and can claim human life.  Flood management has defined much of my work in ten years on the Water Resources Subcommittee, and I will continue to pursue federal funding for local flood management projects.”

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