U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security and U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) visited Wayne Township today announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded more than $28 million in Hazard Mitigation Program grants for voluntary home buyouts in New Jersey.
“Hurricane Irene and countless other storms have caused devastation time and time again for families living in dangerous flood prone neighborhoods,” said Senator Lautenberg, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which funds FEMA. “While long-term solutions are being evaluated, this federal grant will prevent future flood damages in many of the communities that are hardest hit by flooding. With this funding, the federal government is helping New Jersey residents move out of harm’s way, and it is creating much-needed open space in some of the areas where we need it most. This is great news for so many communities that suffer from damages when storms hit and I will continue fighting to fund federal flood mitigation programs.”
"After the devastation of Irene and Lee, I applaud all the federal, state and local officials, who have worked to expedite a process that can typically take over a year. Getting people out of harm's way is a key element of managing the flood-prone areas of Passaic County. Our efforts to address flood problems in the 8th District do not stop when the flooding subsides," said Congressman Pascrell, a co-chair of the Congressional Hurricane Irene Coalition. “After cutting through the red tape, this FEMA hazard mitigation funding will help people in the flood-prone areas of Wayne, Pompton Lakes and Little Falls relocate and begin better lives."
These grants have been provided through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and are a result of federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Irene Senator Lautenberg, Congressman Pascrell and other members of the congressional delegation and granted by President Obama.
Funding for grants awarded by the Hazard Mitigation Program is provided through FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, which Senator Lautenberg helped fund as Vice Chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.
The following grants have been awarded to New Jersey communities:
· $6.3 million for approximately 56 homes in Wayne
· $3.1 million for approximately 13 homes in Pompton Lakes
· $2.9 million for approximately 15 homes in Little Falls
· $4.1 million for approximately 18 homes in Lincoln Park
· $3.1 million for approximately 12 homes in Fairfield
· $3.8 million for approximately 15 homes in Pequannock
· $2.9 million for approximately 13 homes in Manville
· $1.9 million for approximately 7 homes in Middlesex
