FLOOD CONFERENCE SETS RECORD FOR ATTENDANCE

Conference theme of “Improving Local Floodplain Management Capability Through Education and Awareness” strikes a cord with New Jersey.

Somerset, NJ, October 26-27, 2006:  The New Jersey Association for Floodplain Management (NJAFM) had a record attendance of 250 participants at its second annual conference held in Somerset, New Jersey.  This two day event provided the most up-to-date information on how to mitigate the disastrous effects of the most potent of natural hazards - floods.  Guest speakers included the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson, Mayors Scott T. Rumana (Wayne Township), David M. DelVecchio (Lambertville City) and Kenneth Pringle (Belmar Borough) and Keynote Speaker Congressman Rush Holt.  New Jersey’s potential access to mitigation funding and how to apply for grants was a major topic of the conference.

Newly elected NJAFM Chair Michael Graham, CFM said that the event “provided superior education to the attendees of diverse backgrounds” who represented emergency management; building code enforcement; municipal, state and federal government; utilities and the private sector.  The conference provided the fist public presentations of the proposed New Jersey Flood Hazard Area Control Act - a hot issue regarding development and redevelopment in the floodplain.

Legislative Committee Chair John A. Miller, P.E., CFM said that “the NJAFM, more than ever, is ready to educate New Jersey on the importance of floodplain management” and stressed that the time is now to take a proactive approach to the state’s repetitive flood losses.  Past Chair Mark Mauriello stated that the “NJAFM can provide contacts, technical assistance, share information and mitigation success stories, facilitate training and education of local floodplain managers, provide assistance in navigating regulatory agencies and support local land use planning.”  The NJAFM is a state chapter of the national Association of State Floodplain Managers, a 9,000 member organization that is the respected voice in floodplain management practice and policy in the United States.

The tentative dates and location of next year’s conference are October 18-19, 2007 at the Doubletree Somerset Hotel & Executive Meeting Center.  To find out more on the activities of the Association and to join the NJAFM, the website address is: www.njafm.org.