Pallone, Menendez Secure Win for New Jersey Community Voices with Passage of Updated Harbor and Tributary Study

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressmen Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) and Rob Menendez (NJ-08) announced the inclusion of an updated New York-New Jersey Harbor and Tributary Study (HATS) in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024). The study, which was first authorized in 2013 as a response to Hurricane Sandy, aims at improving flood protections and storm resiliency. The new language ensures community feedback remains central to federal decisions on major flood control construction while ensuring that small and medium sized non-controversial projects may proceed in the near term.

Pallone and Menendez led efforts since last year to ensure HATS was prioritized in WRDA 2024. When the Corps released the initial results of its study in Summer 2023, Pallone and Menendez embraced community feedback that smart planning required greater consideration of the different causes of flooding, green infrastructure solutions, and more opportunities for community input. The updated authorization marks a significant achievement for the region's safety and sustainability.

"Planning for climate change impacts is complicated. The inclusion of an updated Harbor and Tributary Study that centers community voices in the Water Resources Development Act is a critical step toward safeguarding New Jersey's future. This success reflects over a year of deliberation with the Corps and community advocates to find a path forward that prioritizes the long-term resiliency of our region to stronger storms while balancing community considerations and the need to move some projects forward in the near term. I'm grateful to my colleagues for working together to deliver real results for families and businesses," said Pallone.

"Increasing resiliency in our infrastructure is vital to the future of our communities. In order to make the investments necessary to protect New Jersey's coastlines from floods, storm damage, and additional environmental risk factors, it's crucial that we continue to push the Harbor and Tributaries Study forward and begin the work as soon as possible. I'm grateful that we've achieved that goal in this legislation, and I'll keep working alongside my colleagues to deliver continued progress for those we represent," said Menendez.

"The New York and New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries study within the Water Resources Development Act gives the Army Corps the opportunity to develop a comprehensive plan to address multiple types of flooding that threaten our communities and national parks here. With record floods and more frequent and severe storms making roads impassable, trapping people in their homes and damaging Sandy Hook's diverse and sensitive shoreline, this bipartisan support could not come soon enough!" said Lauren Cosgrove, Northeast Campaign Director at the National Parks Conservation Association. "We are grateful for Congressman Pallone and Congressman Menendez's leadership and the support from the NY-NJ delegation in taking action to address all of our flooding concerns, which will save lives, expedite projects and save taxpayer money. All of which will improve the quality of life for all that live and work here, and millions more that visit Gateway National Recreation Area's trails, beaches and wildlife."

"Regional planning for coastal resilience around the NY/NJ Harbor region is critical to the protection of homes, property and natural habitat. The initial USACE HATS study was a big step toward such a plan, but had major inadequacies. We thank Congressmen Frank Pallone, Rob Menendez and the bipartisan congressional delegation for addressing these flaws and securing crucial language in this legislation that centers community input, accounts for a fuller array of flood risks, adds green infrastructure that maintains a healthy estuary, and allows beneficial small projects to proceed unimpeded," Greg Remaud, Baykeeper & CEO, NY/NJ Baykeeper.

The Harbor and Tributary Study will equip the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to address coastal flooding, storm surges, and environmental concerns in the New York-New Jersey region. With increased frequency and severity of weather events, the study represents a vital tool in protecting both lives and livelihoods while advancing innovative and sustainable flood management strategies.