SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATION DAM PLAN DROPPED

South Mountain Reservation will not be the site of a controversial new dam as part of efforts to control flooding on the Rahway River, according to a letter issued today from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The letter (posted below) states the proposed dam, at one point one of three final options, is no longer under consideration.

Local residents and officials had opposed the dam, claiming it would hurt the environmental aspects of the area, including destroying wildlife and plant life.

The letter issued today to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers states that the DEP will use an alternative measure involving channel improvements to the Orange Reservoir.