LITTLE FALLS – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-8) and Passaic County Freeholders today visited the Peckman Preserve to report progress on the federal study of Peckman River flood mitigation and the Passaic County planning study of the preserve.

“The problem of flooding along the Peckman River needs to be addressed, and with our local and state partners, we are working closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to bring permanent relief to the communities along the riverbanks,” said Pascrell, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. “It is critical that our state and local communities, like Passaic County, have effective leaders who know how to leverage their relationship with the federal government.”

Since 2001, Rep. Pascrell has secured more than $2 million in federal funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ study of the Peckman River. This year, the House Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee approved an additional $620,000 to the USACE.  This funding will provide the resources needed to finish the study and begin work on construction and implementation.

Passaic County Freeholders announced that the county’s planning department will hold a public hearing on the final report of the Peckman Preserve on Thursday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Little Falls Civic Center, 19 Warren Street. The purpose of this meeting is to present the report on the preserve and to answer questions from residents. 

“My colleagues on the Freeholder Board and I worked hard to listen to residents of Little Falls on what they wanted for Peckman Preserve, and we are proud of our efforts.  A tract of land that was slated for 25 single-family homes will soon be available as a recreation area and place to enjoy nature,” said Freeholder Terry Duffy. “There is not much undeveloped land left in the lower end of Passaic County, and to be able to create a little gem, a park surrounded by wetlands, woodlands, open fields and the Peckman River is good for quality of life.   By Working with Congressman Bill Pascrell and our Open Space Committee we are able to create new open space for all the residents of Passaic County.”

Congressman Pascrell noted the significance of the county’s upcoming report.

“Five years ago, the very place we stand, one of the last undeveloped pieces of land in Passaic County, was slated to become more housing that would be placed squarely in the danger zone for flooding along the Peckman River,” said Pascrell. “We were able to bring local, state and federal resources together to purchase this property, and the Peckman Preserve project is moving forward with the issuing of the County’s final report.”’

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