Menendez, Pallone Revisit Sandy Policy, Recovery

Some nine months after Superstorm Sandy, Monmouth’s Bayshore continues efforts toward recovery.

Sen. Robert Menendez and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6) joined Union Beach Mayor Paul Smith and members of the Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority (BRSA) Friday as they reviewed Sandy recovery efforts.

"As we once again enter hurricane season, it is critical that we take a look at what we’ve learned from Sandy and review these positive developments like funding to help repair the Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority, but also that we continue to fight for a full recovery that mitigates future damage and streamlines processes so that we are ready for the next time a storm hits," Pallone said.  

Robert Fischer, executive director of BRSA, said Superstorm Sandy left the treatment plant that serves eight municipalities with $20 million in damages from flooding including the loss of pumps, sludge treatment incinerators and extensive damage to the administrative building.

Repairs began the day after the storm using the plant’s surplus. Within 30 hours, the plant was able to the treatment pump running and within two weeks, the plant was able to permit-able level treatment with 85 percent treated. On average, the plant filters 95 percent of sludge.

“Currently the plant is operating on temporary repairs and damaged equipment,” Fischer said. While the plant is meeting and surpassing its average filtration level, the plant is still in danger if another storm were to hit.

To date, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded $6.3 million to repair damage done to the facility and that an additional $12 million is currently waiting for FEMA review, Pallone said. FEMA will cover 90 percent of damage. The plant predicts that it will be two and a half years before it will be back in full operation.

"Recovery from Sandy is not a one size fit all endeavor," Menendez said, adding many New Jersey homeowners are still waiting for money to rebuild.

In the aftermath of Sandy, many New Jersey homeowners were told they could begin the process of rebuilding their homes and that they would be eligible for reimbursement with Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Pallone said, including homeowner Michael Finnegan who raised his home from 8.5 feet to 15.5 feet after the flood waters filled his Port Monmouth home.

Soon after rebuilding homeowner’s requests, like Finnegan’s, were rejected because of Housing and Urban Development’s regulations which required environmental reviews for homes that were damaged than 50 percent of the property’s value.

This policy has since been amended allowing, Pallone said. While environmental reviews are still required, they will not have to have to be done before homeowner’s begin repairs.

Homeowners do not need to reapply for the grant, he said. While the first round of CDBGs have been issued, the state is not out of money and another round is set to be released in mid-to-late August.  

Menendez and Pallone also discussed the Disaster Assistance Equity Act in Congress to allow condo associations and co-ops to apply for disaster assistance through FEMA. In FEMA’s current policy, co-ops and condo associations are considered business entities and thus not eligible for funding under the Individuals and Households Program.

Pallone said the Army Corps of Engineers have also been tasked in the recovery process with beach replenishment from Sea Bright to Manasquan along with a six-month comprehensive study.

"Unfortunately global warming is happening and these storms can happen again," Pallone said. "We need to be able to prevent this [flooding] and dunes are a great way to do so."