MAYORS HEADED TO WASHINGTON DC TO PUSH RAHWAY RIVER FLOOD PROTECTION PLAN Mayors representing the communities along the Rahway River are headed to Washington DC to make the case before the US Congress for construction funding of the Rahway River flood mitigation plan funding. This will be the third visit which reflects the commitment of these officials to urge action. The effort has reached a critical juncture and a funding authorization bill is expected to be before the US Congress later in the year. The Mayors will meet with NJ US senators and Congressmen and also with the US Army Corps of Engineers headquarters and regional division executives. The Mayors Council Rahway River Watershed Flood Control includes: Union Mayor Manual Figueiredo; Former Millburn Mayor Robert Tillotson; Cranford Mayor Andis Kalnins; Millburn Mayor Ted Bourke; Rahway Mayor Sam Steinman; Springfield Mayor Jerry Fernandez; Maplewood Mayor Victor Deluca; and Kenilworth Mayor Anthony DeLuca. Union County Freeholder BJ Kowalski, Former Mayor Tom Hannen; Cranford Commissioners Giblin and O'Connor among others are also be attending. The study has received broad support including recently the Union County Board of Freeholders led by Chairman Bruce Bergen mentioned the Rahway River Flood Mitigation Plan as one of the county's important priorities in this year's reorganization presentation. Over $100 million of damages was faced by residents along the Rahway River during Irene and no improvement in the situation has yet been done. The Federal and state Rahway River Flood Mitigation Plan has significant flood mitigation benefits including material water elevation reductions from Millburn to Rahway. The plan includes modification to the Orange reservoir to store more water during peak storm conditions; there is proposed channelization improvements and dikes from Lenape Park through Cranford; and investigations are ongoing for improved storage in the Robinson Branch part of the Rahway River in the City of Rahway. The current process includes a selected final plan in 2016 and the Mayors are urging in the Federal WRTA authorization bill in 2016. Congressman Payne, Congressman Lance, Senator Corey Booker and Senator Robert Menendez gave early assurances that federal funding of the full mitigation study is one of their highest priorities. The Mayors on behalf of their communities will bring the message that strong advocacy this year will be key to getting these projects implemented.