Group Brings Focus To Flooding, Drainage Issues In East Riverton

CINNAMINSON, NJ — A group of residents is speaking out about flooding in the East Riverton section of Cinnaminson, and it appears the township is listening.

A group that goes by the name "The Cinnaminson Swamp Dwellers" is bringing attention to the flooding and drainage issues that the East Riverton residents are dealing with. The group currently has 91 members on Facebook.

“We live in a flood hazard area, but the major problem is drainage” said Elishia Dallman, one of the group’s primary activists.

Development around the area has resulted in many of the area’s natural boundaries, such as trees, that prevented water from becoming an issue for the residents’ homes, properties and streets, Dallman said. Poor drainage has often resulted in their streets and properties being left under water, which is where the group came up with its "Swamp Dwellers" moniker.

“We are constantly pumping water out of our basements. Our foundations are in jeopardy,” Dallman said. “The drainage is abysmal. We can’t sell our homes. We’d be lucky to get $80,000 from a flipper.”

On April 22, township officials held an informational session with residents. About 60 residents and business owners were in attendance and provided feedback, according to Township Administrator Eric Schubiger.

The township then announced plans for a study of the East Riverton section of the township, with the results to be back by mid-summer, at which time Township Committee will review the recommendations.

It has also joined the Burlington County Coastal Communities Coalition and plans to create a township drainage sub-committee.

The coalition consists of other towns in Burlington County that are dealing with the same flooding and drainage issues Cinnaminson is facing. It works with regional, state and federal representatives to mitigate the problems.

The sub-committee will consist of Township Committee Members, Township professionals and residents.

It’s an issue Schubiger said Township Committee identified as something it wants to fix back in November.

“It’s been an ongoing issue for quite some time,” Schubiger said. “ … There’s a lot of environmental factors in the community. We want to address all the issues. … We look forward to helping anyway we can.”

In 2013, then mayor Ben Young said it was one of the township's goals to tackle the issue, but nothing ever came of it. Read more here: Mayor Young Wants To Tackle Flooding Issues

Dallman said the issue has been brushed off historically, and that this is the most a committee has ever said it would do.

“We’re grateful the township is addressing this,” Dallman said. “ … There are people all over the township who are having problems. We’ve had an inordinate amount of rain this year, but this has been a problem for a long time.”