Passaic River Flood Risk Management Projects

Transcription

1 Passaic River Flood Risk Management Projects EPA Lower Passaic River Community Advisory Group Tom Shea, PMP Project Manager 12 March 2015 US Army Corps of Engineers

2 Passaic River Main Stem Project Studies began in 1900 USACE became involved in 1936, 1976 study authority required a comprehensive solution Feasibility Study completed in 1987, recommended the Tunnel Plan Congress authorized the project in WRDA 1990 USACE initiated Pre-Construction Engineering and Design (PED) in 1987 and stopped in 1995 when it completed a draft General Design Memo 2

3 Passaic River MainStem Project Effort was halted in 1995 at the request of the State of New Jersey Project was further restricted by Section 327(i), WRDA 2000, which forbids the obligation of funds for the design or construction of the tunnel element The Main Stem portion of the project was never constructed, other separable elements were (Minish, Oakland, Molly Ann's Brook) The authorized plan includes tidal levees/floodwalls in Newark, Kearny and Harrison 3

4 Passaic River Flood Risk Management Projects Passaic Main Stem Tidal Passaic River 4

5 Restart of the Passaic Main Stem Apr 2010 Governor Christie created Passaic River Basin Flood Advisory Commission through Executive Order 23 Jan 2011 Commission recommended reevaluation of the Passaic River Basin for long-term flood damage reduction at a cost of $15 million Mar 2011 Letter from Governor Christie to Chief of Engineers that requested support of Preservation of Natural Flood Storage Areas Reevaluation of the Passaic River Main Stem Study 5

6 Passaic Main Stem Alternatives in Phase 1 1. Levees and Floodwalls Alternative 14A from Levees, Floodwalls and Channel Modification Alternative 16A from Tunnel Duel Inlet Newark Bay Outlet Tunnel Diversion (authorized plan) 4. Beatties Dam / Two Bridges Improvements Plan requested by NJDEP in Nonstructural 10 Year Flood, 1987 plan 6. No Action 6

7 Passaic Main Stem Preliminary Alternative Analysis Report Submitted to NJDEP and HQUSACE in Sep 13. Reaffirmed that the Tunnel Diversion plan remains the National Economic Development Plan and the non-structural and levee/floodwall plans were marginally economically justified. In Feb 2014, NJDEP requested that the District pursue the following three alternatives: 1) Nonstructural alternative, 2) Alternative 14A (levee and floodwall), and 3) Tunnel Diversion Plan Public Information Sessions were held late March/early April 2014 to discuss the status of the study and describe the three alternatives above 7

8 Passaic Main Stem Path Forward Preliminary Benefit-to-Cost Ratios Feb 2016 Submit Pre-Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) Summary Report to NAD Sep 2016 Conduct Pre-TSP Briefing to HQUSACE Sep 2016 Phase 1 Complete Nov

9 Passaic River Flood Risk Management Projects Passaic Main Stem Tidal Passaic River 9

10 Passaic River Tidal Protection Area An original component of the overall Passaic River Main Stem Broken out as a separate study in USACE Second Interim Report to Congress, in accordance with PL (Sandy Recovery) GRR fully funded by Sandy Recovery, although cost-shared (non-fed is financed by Fed) 3 year and $3M evaluation phase to update costs and alignment and complete consideration of impacts to the environment. Estimated construction cost is $300M, to be funded by Sandy Recovery to the extend that funds remain, then go to annual appropriations 10

11 Passaic River Tidal Protection Area Damages caused by the tidal surge flooding Severe flooding in all three communities Harrison, Kearny and Newark Storm surge affected highly developed industrial, commercial, and residential areas. Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission Plant overflow, flooded, months to reopen PATH, AMTRAK, & NJ Transit Flooded; FEMA dewatering mission Numerous electrical substations flooded Damage to property was sustained; one death reported 11

12 12 BUILDING STRONG

13 Passaic River Tidal Protection Area Minish Waterfront Project Light Shade Blue is FEMA 100 yr flood zone Red lines are Authorized Project levees and floodwalls 13

14 Schedule for Passaic Tidal Protection Area General Reevaluation Report Milestone Draft GRR Chief s Report Report to Congress Dates 20-Apr Jul Sep-17 14

15 Contacts USACE Project Manager: Tom Shea, PMP (917) or Preliminary Alternatives Analysis Report can be found at: 15