STUDY FINDS CONTROVERSIAL SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATION DAM COST-EFFICIENT

South Mountain Reservation

The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers this week issued a study of options to mitigate the flooding from the Rahway River, which includes a controversial proposal to build a dam on the river’s portion in South Mountain Reservation. That dam proposal has dawn criticism from some locals who contend it will hurt the reservation’s ecosystem and natural habitats.

Among the opponents is Fred Profeta, former Maplewood mayor, who spoke with us about it a while ago. Hear his interview HERE. A petition has also been launched against the plan. See information on that HERE. The Army Corp study, which can be seen HERE, evaluated 10 options for mitigating flooding that affects the Rahway River Basin and specifically Cranford.

The study found that three of the 10 options, including the one to dam the river in South Mountain Reservation, were deemed cost-effective.

We spoke with New Jersey Department of Environmental, Protection spokesman Larry Ragonese about the study earlier today. 

Hear the interview below.

Also a reminder, there will be a meeting of local officials, including Profeta, to discuss the situation on Sunday at the Millburn Library