In response to the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events due to climate change, a coalition of mayors and other municipal leaders and legislators in New Jersey’s 34th legislative district has formed a regional flood mitigation committee to address the growing flooding challenges in their communities.
The group includes Assembly Members Michael Venezia and Carmen Theresa Morales, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, and municipal leaders, township engineers, and administrators from Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Belleville, Nutley, Orange, East Orange and Montclair.
As a key first step, local leaders are assessing flood-prone areas to determine the underlying causes of flooding and inform the development of targeted mitigation strategies. In collaboration with Assembly Members Venezia and Morales, and Congresswoman Sherrill, the committee will seek assistance and resources through federal and state agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA.
“Flooding has become one of the most pressing challenges facing our communities, and addressing it requires a unified, strategic response. By working together as a region, we can develop comprehensive solutions that protect residents, businesses, and infrastructure across our towns. I look forward to collaborating with Congresswoman Sherrill, Assemblywoman Morales, and our local leaders to ensure we secure the state and federal resources needed to implement effective flood mitigation measures,” stated Assemblyman Michael Venezia.
“The Regional Flood Mitigation Committee is long overdue. Our municipalities and neighboring communities have been struggling with the growing challenges of flooding and infrastructure repairs, a problem only exacerbated by climate change’” said Assemblywoman Carmen Theresa Morales. “This issue is both costly for taxpayers and a significant financial strain on municipalities. I am committed to dedicating the necessary time and resources to develop long-term solutions that will alleviate the financial burden on taxpayers and reduce costs for our local governments, along with our local mayors, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, and Assemblyman Mike Venezia. I extend my gratitude to everyone who has been working on the front lines and behind the scenes on this critical issue. I’m looking forward to continuing this work together.”
Recognizing that flooding does not respect municipal boundaries, the committee is taking a coordinated, regional approach to address the issue. The goal is to develop sustainable, long-term solutions while also addressing immediate concerns in the affected areas. Additionally, this united strategy will strengthen the region’s competitiveness for state and federal funding to support critical flood mitigation projects.
“We’re no strangers to flooding here in the Garden State — we know that flooding is devastating to our families, homes, businesses, and communities. That’s why I am excited to be a part of the Regional Flood Mitigation Committee — with state and local leaders from Essex County — to drive federal resources towards flood mitigation, protecting our community, and investing in flood-resilient infrastructure,” said Rep. Mikie Sherrill.
To align local efforts, the committee will review and recommend updates to local ordinances across the participating municipalities. These revisions will help standardize regulations and make coordinated flood mitigation actions easier to implement.
“I’m proud to join forces with these dedicated legislators and local leaders to tackle the critical issue of flooding in Bloomfield and our neighboring communities head-on,” said Bloomfield Township Mayor Jenny Mundell. “By taking a regional approach and engaging multiple levels of government, we can maximize our resources, create stronger solutions, and ensure that every town involved receives the support necessary to protect its community. This collaboration is a vital step toward making our neighborhoods safer and more resilient.”
“It is critical that we coordinate regionally to address local flooding in Glen Ridge because we know that stormwater does not respect municipal boundaries,” said Glen Ridge Borough Mayor Debbie Mans. ”We are seeing flooding in areas of the Borough that have not had flooding before, creating significant public safety issues for our residents and first responders. I appreciate the support of Congresswoman Sherrill, Assemblyman Venezia, Assemblywoman Morales, and my fellow mayors in seeking both short-term and long-term solutions to address flooding in our communities.”
“In representing a community where we have streets that routinely flood during heavy storms, I am focused on ways we can relieve the problem,” Belleville Township Mayor Michael Melham said. ”We know that regional flooding cannot be addressed at town hall, unfortunately. We need a regional solution, bringing in our partners from across Essex County, the state and the federal government. I know the Army Corps has discussed flooding issues in our area for decades, especially on the Lower Passaic River, and I hope that this latest initiative can finally move the region beyond stages of planning to stages of action. The problem is only going to worsen if we blindly stay the course.”
“I would like to commend the Assembly team for organizing this committee. The only way to have a significant impact is to address the flooding issue on a regional basis,” said Nutley Township Commissioner Dr. Joseph Scarpelli. “This is especially critical for Nutley as we are the last municipality downstream before the Third River empties into the Passaic.”
As the Regional Flood Mitigation Committee moves forward with its work, the coalition of local leaders remains committed to fostering collaboration at all levels of government. By combining expertise, resources and regional perspectives, the committee aims to develop lasting, impactful solutions that safeguard communities against the growing threats of flooding. With a shared dedication to enhancing infrastructure, reducing flood risks, and securing essential funding, the group is poised to make a meaningful difference in creating safer, more resilient neighborhoods throughout Essex County and beyond.
