NJ-AWRA Starts Floodplain Management Committee:

To initiate the NJ Association of State Floodplain Managers

This past hurricane season has brought a lot of attention to the devastation that Mother Nature can bring.  New Jersey has been very lucky, but it’s likely that someday we could be hit again.  There are over 200,000 residents in NJ with flood insurance policies, and thousands more that live in flood zones, but have no flood insurance.  As we have learned from other states, preparation, organization, and sharing information can dramatically reduce damage, loss of life, and the recovery time.  The objective of the NJ-AWRA Floodplain Management Committee is to build a diverse group of professionals into an organization that will help manage, educate, and protect the people and businesses located in the flood plain of our State.  This group will also give us national exposure through the ASFPM (Association of State Flood Plain Managers) where laws and regulations that impact NJ can be influenced. This group will include but will not be limited to Flood Plain Managers, Code officials, Surveyors, Department of Environmental Protection, AWRA members, Emergency Managers, private related companies, and FEMA.  The experience of the AWRA members and officers bring the infrastructure and experience for this group to grow considerably.  A fall 2005 conference is scheduled and will focus on educating communities on topics including the Community Rating System, FEMA flood insurance regulations, Land use regulations, and lots of local community problem solving.  We expect great participation Statewide and we are excited to get started.

-Michael Graham, SmartVent

For more information, please contact

Cleighton Smith, Floodplain Management Committee Secretary

Cleighton D. Smith, PE, CFM

Senior Project Manager

Federal Programs

DEWBERRY

Eastgate Business Center

133 Gaither Drive, Suite T

Mount Laurel, NJ  08054-1713

phone (856) 802-0843 ext 107

fax (856) 802-0846

email:  cleighton.smith@dewberry.com

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