Public Hearing To Discuss Rahway River Flooding Issues

CRANFORD, NJ — The US Army Corps of Engineers will hold two public hearing on the Rahway River Flood Mitigation Plan Feasibility Study to address flooding issues in the area.

The flooding in the Rahway River Basin are caused mainly by development in the area causing by the rapid development of the area, which has resulted in a large increase of storm water runoff, according to US Army Corps of Engineers.

The most damaging floods of record within the Rahway River Basin resulted from the storms of July 1938, May 1968, August 1971, August 1973, July 1975, June 1992, October 1996, July 1997, Tropical Storm Floyd in September 1999 , April 2007 Nor’easter, and Hurricane Irene in August 2011. During the April 2007 storm, 70 to 100 homes suffered major damage to first floor and foundations. Union County and the Township of Cranford were declared federal disaster areas as a result of the April 2007 storm, according to US Army Corps of Engineers.

A study to help alleviate flooding issues began in 2012. And a flood risk management plan for the Townships of Cranford, Springfield, and Millburn as well as the City of Rahway was created.

The plan would call for channel improvements in Cranford and modification to the Orange Reservoir dam spillway in West Orange. There is also a nonstructural plan that would occur in the 10-year floodplain for the Robinson's Branch in the City of Rahway.

The public has until Jan. 23 to comment on the plan.

The first public meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at the Roy E. Smith Theatre at the Union County Community College, 1033 Springfield Ave, Cranford.

The second public meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 12 at the Rahway Public Library, 2 City Hall Plaza, Rahway.

Both meetings are scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. and will follow the agenda below:

• 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – Welcome and Poster Board Viewing
• 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Formal Informational Presentation
• 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – Poster Board Session and Information Exchange

The Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and EIS, and instructions forsubmitting written and email comments are available at: www.nan.usace.army.mil/Rahway.

General questions regarding the Rahway River Basin Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study can be directed to Ms. Rifat Salim, Project Manager, Rifat.Salim@usace.army.mil, 917-790-8215.

(Image of Rahway River in Union County)

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