| Interagency
Waterway Infrastructure Improvement Task Force Formed
After
receiving a Presidential Disaster Declaration for the 1,000-year
storm which ravaged parts of Burlington and Camden Counties
on July 12 and 13, FEMA and the NJ Office of Emergency Management
formed an "Interagency
Waterway Infrastructure Improvement Task Force" to develop
strategies for repairing and restoring dams impacted during
the event.The Task Force's mission is to evaluate the storm's
impact upon the streams, waterways, dams and spillways in
the disaster area and study means to lessenor prevent similar
damage in the future.
Key
Goals and Objectives:
- To
maximize funding mechanisms available through FEMA, the
Small Business Administration, the New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection and U.S. Department of Agriculture
in order to lessen the financial burden on dam owners;
- To
seek input from dam owners and area residents when developing
repair and restoration strategies;
- To
recommend procedures for the repair and restoration of private
and public properties in or near streams or waterways in
the disaster area
- To
identify means for lessening on preventing similar damage
in the future, while concentrating on the needs and safety
of residents in the affected area.
- To
streamline the permitting process in order to accelerate
restoration.
Member
Agencies:
- Federal
Emergency Management Agency (Coordinating Agency)
- NJ
State Police Office of Emergency Management (Coordinating
Agency)
- NJ
Department of Environmental Protection Office of Dam Safety
- NJ
Board of Public Utilities
- NJ
Pinelands Commission
- NJ
Office of the Attorney General
- FEMA
Office of General Counsel
- U.S.
Small Business Administration
- NJ
Department of Agriculture
- US
Army Corps of Engineers
- US
Department of Agriculture
- NJ
Farm Bureau
- Office
of the Burlington County Freeholder
- Burlington
County Office of Emergency Management
- FEMA
Disaster Public Assistance Program
- FEMA
Disaster Mitigation Program
Activities
to Date:
August
6, 2004 - Public Officials Briefing - Presentation on the
goals and
objectives of the Task Force. National Weather Service, NJ
Department of
Environmental Protection and FEMA conducted presentations
on the July 12-13
"1,000-year storm" and programs available to help
dam owners and area
residents impacted by the disaster. Media and area residents
impacted by
the disaster were invited to attend this meeting.
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