BODINE WANTS DEP TO FOLLOW THROUGH
ON FLOOD PREVENTION EFFORTS
Assemblyman Calls Commissioner Jackson's Site Visit to Burlington
A Constructive Start to Improved Dialogue between State & Local Officials

(SOUTHAMPTON) - Assemblyman Francis L. Bodine today said state Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa Jackson's recent visit to flood-prone section of Burlington County sends a positive signal of potential cooperation among state and local officials to solve stubborn flooding problems.

Responding to a request by Bodine (D-Moorestown), Jackson came to Southampton's Vincetown section on May 23 to meet with municipal and county officials who want the Department of Environmental Protection's assistance in clearing debris from the Rancocas Creek and its tributaries.  Jackson gave assurances that her agency would work to be part of a solution on flooding issues instead of a bureaucratic obstacle.

"The commissioner's site visit was very constructive and it clearly helped to improve the lines of communication between local officials and the DEP," said Bodine.  "Now we need to ensure that DEP follows through in delivering for the residents and businesses affected by periodic flooding problems."

Bodine organized the site visit by DEP in an effort to help local officials communicate their concerns to the agency about debris and other stream impediments that are contributing to flooding problems along Rancocas Creek and other waterways in the county. Such concerns have been raised by officials in Lumberton, Southampton, and Medford - communities that have experienced flooding from Rancocas Creek.

Burlington was one of the state's worst-affected areas in the April 15-16 nor'easter -which dumped upwards of 7 inches of rain across the state, causing three deaths and more than $180 million worth of damage. The damage cost in Burlington was an estimated $8.3 million.

While directing the focus of his attention on flooding in the Burlington region, Bodine also has expressed recognition that flooding has become an increasing problem in communities all across the state.  He has called for the creation of a legislative panel specifically assigned to identify the lessons from the floods caused by the recent nor'easter and potential long-term remedies to mitigate future flood problems across the state.  Bodine is now crafting legislation to make that legislative panel a reality.

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