Nhsa Flood Control Project Release - Hoboken

1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FREEHOLDER BOARD GRANTS PERMISSION
ON HOBOKEN FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT
North Hudson Sewerage Authority officials report that the Authority has taken another step toward
implementing its Hoboken flood control project. The Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders
has granted an easement on County property along Observer Highway in Hoboken that clears the
way for the project to move forward.
The easement enables the Authority to advance its plans for the building of the electrical systems and
the underground wet weather pump station. In connection with the project, the Authority has already
received Treatment Works Approval, Waterfront Development Permit, HEP Soil Erosion and
Sediment Control, and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Authorization to
Advertise.
The resolution granting permission was passed at the September 9th Freeholder meeting under the
sponsorship of Hoboken Freeholder Anthony Romano with the strong support of Freeholders Jose
Munoz of West New York and Tilo Rivas of Union City, whose districts are served by the North
Hudson Sewerage Authority.
The project involves the design and construction of a wet weather pump station to be located in the
southeastern section of the city on Observer Highway. The project’s cost is estimated to be $14
million, the full amount to be borne by the Authority. Five million dollars of the project will come from a
federal stimulus grant. The balance of $9 million will be financed through the Authority’s participation
in the New Jersey State Revolving Loan Fund which provides long-term, low-interest infrastructure
loans to qualified entities.
The Authority’s consulting engineer on the flood control project, CH2M Hill, has completed the final
design and construction is expected to begin in January 2010. The construction phase is expected to
be completed within 18 to 24 months after the bid is awarded, although the pump station itself will be
on line towards the end of 2010. Once the pump station is on line, the flooding that currently besets
the southwestern section of Hoboken will be alleviated. This area is most flood-prone because the
ground elevations are close to, or in some cases, below sea level. Although the Authority does not
expect that one pump station will eliminate all flooding incidents throughout the City, it will
nevertheless go a long way to addressing the most serious problems. The Authority and the City of
Hoboken have agreed that the NHSA will fund the first pump station. If it is determined that additional
pump stations are necessary to address any residual flooding, the City of Hoboken will shoulder the
costs of building them.
Authority Chairman, Dr. Richard J. Wolff, said, “We have been able to advance on schedule this very
important capital project because of the significant support that we have received from Federal, State,
County and local legislators representing our service area.”
He cited United States Senators Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg, who along with
Congressman Albio Sires, secured a $5 million Federal stimulus grant earmarked for the flood control
project. State Senator Brian Stack, Assemblyman Ruben Ramos Jr. and Assemblywoman Caridad
Rodriquez supported the project at the State level and assisted in securing State revolving loan
funds. Freeholders Anthony Romano of Hoboken, Jose Munoz of West New York and Tilo Rivas of
Union City supported the Authority’s request for an easement to build on Observer Highway. And

2. Hoboken Acting Mayor, Dawn Zimmer, has pledged that her administration will work closely with the
Authority to ensure local approvals necessary to advance the project in a timely manner.