The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday approved a House-Senate appropriations bill that gives the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) the authority and new funds to support local efforts to improve Assunpink Creek and revitalize a closed factory.

    The 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which passed by a vote of 303-114, now heads for Senate approval where it is expected to be readily approved before it is sent to the President for his signature.

    In the legislation, Congress directs the Army Corps to provide an undetermined amount of funding toward two projects related to Assunpink Creek under the Continuing Authorities Program, and provides $500,000 for redevelopment of a closed factory on the Trenton-Hamilton border to build a multi-use urban village in the Bromley section of Hamilton.

    These funds will be used to investigate flooding problems along the Assunpink Creek in Hamilton Township, N.J.—an area which has frequent water control problems and environmental degradation—to save structures and contents from flood damage, alleviate cleanup costs for residents in this highly urbanized setting. The USACE estimates this project to be up to $4 million in FY2010.

    The second USACE project would be to light the Assunpink Creek during the day along the Broad Street culvert. The $6.7 million project would enhance the culvert, which connects various greenway areas and transportation facilities and this funding will benefit businesses adjacent to the site and provides recreational, historical and educational opportunities for the community.

    “The funding in this bill will help address public health and safety issues in towns all across the Fourth District,” Smith said. “From renourishing our coast to preventing flooding from the Delaware River, from greening Trenton to improving water quality at the shore, our local communities will see significant environmental and economic benefits from this bill.”

    Smith, who represents the Trenton-Hamilton area, northern Burlington County and large parts of Ocean and Monmouth Counties along the shore, said the legislation that passed includes $500,000 for the Trenton-based nonprofit community development group Isles Inc. for a solar project and other high performance conservation initiatives.

    “This project contains important high performance conservation initiatives that will have a positive impact on the environment and economy of the area,” Smith said. “Mill One’s renewable energy plan tapping solar power is a good example of the environmentally-friendly building practices we need to see in new construction. This federal funding helps advance those conservation principles. We need more projects like Mill One in the world.”

    The Mill One development, initiated by Isles several years ago, is aimed at transforming a 100-year old defunct factory on Johnston Avenue on the Hamilton-Trenton Border, between East State Street and Nottingham Way into a mixed-use development. Plans for the factory located in Hamilton’s Bromley section call for a multi-use, sustainable urban village which will eventually serve as Isles headquarters. The $500,000 is tacked on to $238,000 obtained by Smith in Fiscal Year 2009 federal appropriations that has been designated for green initiatives at Isles’ Mill One project.

    Other projects secured by Smith and members of the Jersey delegation include:

NJ Shore Protection for Sandy Hook to Barnegat Inlet- $1.89 million to continue the renourishment phase of the Sandy Hook to Barnegat Inlet, NJ shore protection project.  Beach replenishment remedies have been extremely effective in this section of the Jersey shore and ongoing funding is needed to sustain the progress made through the initial successful federal/state shared investment. New Jersey’s beaches are a vital recreational and economic resource.  Replenishment and sustained maintenance of healthy beaches help protect residents, local businesses, tourist attractions and natural habitats.

Comprehensive Restoration of the Delaware River- $90,000 to continue the Delaware River plan formulation and evaluation of alternative solutions and mitigation remedies to the region’s problems regarding flooding along the river and tributaries.  This project will help alleviate significant flood damage for residents while providing ecosystem restoration, protection and enhancement and restoration of public lands. 

New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway- $385,000 to provide a safe, reliable, and efficient navigation channel for the East Coast’s largest and the fifth most valuable commercial fishing fleet in the U.S., as well as nine U.S. Coast Guard Stations.

Delaware River Bank Protection, Philadelphia to Trenton- $779,000 to maintain and inspect bank protection work, provide bridge reconstruction and perform maintenance dredging of lower reach and turning basin.  This project will restore safe and economical navigating depths in the Florence Township area.

New Jersey Shoreline Alternative Long-Term Nourishment- $ 90,000 to continue the evaluation of New Jersey’s coastal projects, including the different reaches of beach replenishment projects, as a system to ensure maximum benefits are achieved from the Federal investment and reduce long-term periodic nourishment costs.