6. Pallone looks for FEMA flood map intermission
by MELISSA L. GAFFNEY, Staff Writer
Posted:01/01/09

Published: The Courier, April 24, 2008

Congressman talked about the importance of FEMA's answers to the Bayshore

The Federal Emergency Management Agency continues to threaten Bayshore residents regarding Flood Insurance Rate Maps.

While several public figures have addressed this issue locally, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., appealed directly to FEMA in a letter dated April 9.

Pallone questioned FEMA’s formulas used to calculate the expanded flood zones, changes in topography and whether or not infrastructure upgrades would impact flood zone designation. Pallone also requested a meeting with FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).  

The agency’s response came on May 1 from Region II Director Stephen Kempf Jr. In the letter, Kempf answers Pallone’s questions.

He writes, “The determination to expand the flood zones was not based on formulas. Rather, it was based on several key facts: 1) FEMA’s determination that the Keansburg Beach and Dune System (KBDS) does not provide citizens protection from a flood that has a one percent chance of occurring in any given year; 2) detailed hydrologic and hydraulic studies and; 3) more accurate topographic information.”

Kempf explained that topographic changes in Monmouth County were not key determinants for changes in flood zones and that the requirements for the new flood zones would not change were there infrastructure upgrades to the dune system.

Pallone said he got the impression that even if the dunes were improved upon, it would not make a difference to FEMA. “The Army Corps has told me [the dunes] were adequate all along,” he said. “While the corps is going to take another look at them, there’s no reason to believe that if [a project update] occurred it would satisfy FEMA’s demands.”

The Army Corps uses different standards than FEMA, Pallone added. “The corps is looking to prevent flooding. FEMA doesn’t seem to think that’s good enough.”

The veteran congressman said Kempf’s response roots back to unanswered questions. “This goes back to why we need a moratorium,” he said. “From the letter, I think I was able to gleam that [FEMA] is going to reach out.”

Bayshore supports Pallone

Union Beach Councilman Charles Cocuzza has begun reaching out to Bayshore municipalities and encouraging the passage of respective resolutions supporting Pallone.

“[Union Beach] has decided to draft and send a resolution [to the congressman’s office] because it lets our government officials know they’re on the right path and we support them,” he said. “As locally elected officials, we do the peoples’ bidding. One way to have their voice heard is to pass a resolution.”

Cocuzza said he is going to do a lot of reaching out and speaking to surrounding Bayshore communities with the hope of sending even more resolutions to Pallone as well as Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., and Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J.

“I will approach other towns’ mayors and elected officials and gauge their level of confidence that such a resolution will get passed,” he explained. “I will also present to them the resolution that Union Beach will pass.”

The councilman said this makes the Bayshore’s voice that much stronger on a singular issue. “We’re all going to be affected in the same way,” he added.

Cocuzza said if other communities agree to send a resolution in support of Pallone’s moratorium, it would show the congressman and senators the entire Bayshore community, as a whole, is committed to this. “We believe [Pallone] is on the right path,” Cocuzza said.   

Pallone said it is important for the Bayshore to weigh in on this issue and show its support. “It’s certainly helpful to have the towns pass those resolutions showing their support,” he noted.

Taking the floor…

While Pallone’s legislation has not hit the Senate floor yet, a bill to amend the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, restore the financial solvency of the flood insurance fund and for other purposes passed in the U.S. House of Representatives last year.

Pallone said he does not know whether or not this bill will pass the Senate at the end of the year, but that it, too, could delay FEMA’s progress in the Bayshore. “The House version [of the bill] has a provision that says the maps can’t take effect until all of them are completed for the Army Corps District,” he said. “It is possible this could delay their implementation.”

The congressman said he is going to try and schedule a date to meet with FEMA, the USACE and the DEP sometime in May or June. “It’s good we’re going to have this meeting,” he said, “but it’s not sufficient. FEMA hasn’t explained how it’s going to involve the community or what kind of community input it’s seeking.”

Pallone said the plan has to directly involve the community and this is a good time to pause and clear up the confusion. He concluded, “I don’t think [FEMA] should move forward [with the flood maps] until it does.”      
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