John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Boundaries Revision

Floor Speech

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6400.

This bill is extremely important to my constituents, especially those living in Union Beach, New Jersey. Passing this bill will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move forward on an important flood control project for Union Beach.

H.R. 6400 would realign the mapping of several New Jersey units of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resource System. Congressional approval is required for any changes to these maps by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Over the past year, the Fish and Wildlife Service worked with the Corps to make noncontroversial changes to the mapping, completed its review, and transmitted them to Congress on November 21 of this year.

Until these maps are approved by Congress, Mr. Speaker, the Union Beach flood control project will be in limbo. The Corps cannot sign a project partnership agreement or make other progress until the updated maps are approved.

Union Beach was devastated by Superstorm Sandy, and residents have been waiting far too long for this project to be completed. It was initially authorized by the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 on November 8, 2007, and funding and authorization for the project came from Sandy relief funding in 2013.

Moving forward on this project is a priority for the State of New Jersey, local authorities in Union Beach, and the Army Corps; however, that can only be done if Congress approves the new maps, which it can do by passing H.R. 6400.

Again, passing this bill is vitally important. It is noncontroversial. I want to thank Chairman Bishop, Ranking Member Grijalva, and House leadership for allowing this legislation to be considered under suspension of the rules.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6400. The people of Union Beach have waited long enough to rebuild and protect their community from future storms.

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