Garrett Calls Director of the Office of Management and Budget to Ensure Timely Completion of Oakland Flood Control Project
Washington,
Mar 24, 2006 -
Yesterday, Congressman Scott Garrett called the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Joshua Bolten, to urge him to expedite the review and approval of the funding necessary to complete the Army Corps of Engineers Flood Control Project on the Ramapo River at Pompton Lakes Dam in Oakland, New Jersey. Garrett has been working tirelessly to return the funds, reprogrammed away by the Army Corps of Engineers, back to the flood control project and has been constantly pressing the Army Corps of Engineers, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works John Paul Woodley, and the House Appropriations Committee to keep the project from being terminated prematurely.
"Since receiving word that the money had been directed away from this crucial project, I have been steadfastly working to resolve the problem," stated Garrett. "I am committed to the completion of the flood control project on the Ramapo River and to seeing that the residents in Oakland will not have to live under the threat of damage by future storms."
Congressman Garrett originally secured all the funding necessary for the completion of the flood control project at Pompton Lakes Dam, but the Army Corps of Engineers reprogrammed over $8 million from the project. Unless the funds are restored to the project by March 31, the project will be shelved.
"Oakland Mayor John Szabo has been extraordinarily helpful in making the case to these agencies of the unusual and dire circumstances here. This has been a true partnership for the betterment of Oakland residents," Congressman Garrett further remarked.
Torrential rains flooded Oakland, NJ last fall, displacing hundreds of residents and substantially damaging property in the area. Garrett is committed to seeing the timely completion of the flood control project, ensuring the prevention of future loss of life and property.
