Politics & Government

DEP Still Working on Floodgate Report [Video]

Report based on independent study of floodgates on Pompton River dam.

The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is still working on a report on the operation of the floodgates on the Pompton River dam.

“We’re still working on the report,” said Larry Hajna, a DEP spokesman. “The goal is the release the findings later this month.”

Governor Chris Christie last year said the report would be complete Feb. 1.

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Christie  after touring flood-ravaged areas in the Passaic River Flood Basin after Hurricane Irene struck the area in August of last year. Christie ordered the gatesto alleviate potential flooding. Despite 3 feet of water being drained from behind the dam, residents below the dam still said it was the worst flooding they’d ever seen.

“My view was, there were so many residents who thought that the dam was a problem that I thought opening the floodgates and lowering the level was the right thing to do. No one could point to me that it would make matters worse,” Christie said at a press conference after the tour.

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Residents of nearby, low-lying portions of  and other towns located below the dam have complained that flooding has gotten progressively worse since the gates became operational in 2007. Town planner John Szabo 

Christie said also said in August that the government will be “completely transparent with the results” of the study.


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