The Raritan-Millstone Rivers Flood Control Commission (RMRFCC), in conjunction with the Sustainable Raritan River Initiative at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University, is presenting an all-day “Workshop on Flood Mitigation and Hazard Reduction: Best Practices to Reduce Hazard and Mitigation Flood Conditions Now,” on Saturday, March 16. It will be held from 9am-3pm at the Conference Center at Raritan Valley Community College, Conference Rooms A/B/C, 118 Lamington Road, Branchburg, N.J. 08876.
In existence for about 16 months, the Raritan-Millstone Rivers Flood Control Commission (RMRFCC) was initiated by a group of concerned citizens who live along the Millstone and Raritan Rivers’ flood plains. With flooding increasing in frequency and volume, the boroughs of Manville, Millstone, Rocky Hill, Somerville and South Bound Brook, along with the townships of Bridgewater, Franklin and Hillsborough joined with Somerset County to create the commission in 2011 with an organized focus on the flooding affecting their towns and trying to find ways to help the residents. The commission’s mission is to collect, study and share flood data, coordinate flood mitigation efforts, and educate the public and residents about flood prevention and preparation.
Workshop sessions will address steps that can be taken now to reduce the effects of future storms, and mitigation strategies that can be implemented across the region to reduce risks for everyone.
A complete agenda is available on the RMRFCC Facebook page.
“This workshop will bring all three facets of the Commission together,” said Frank Jurewicz, chair of the commission. “We are assembling the combined knowledge of various experts and groups who specialize in flood mitigation and preparedness in a one-day workshop that will allow citizens who have been impacted by these disasters to be better informed and make them aware of available resources.”
Workshop panelists will include
- Cynthia Addonizio-Bianco, PE, CFM, Tetra Tech
- Clay Emerson, PE, Princeton Hydro
- Michael Foley, FEMA
- Mark Gallagher, VP, Princeton Hydro
- Alicia Gould, PE, US Army Corps of Engineers
- Dr. Paul Leath, Department of Physics, Rutgers University
- Alec McCartney, NJDEP Forestry Program
- Bill McDonnell, FEMA
- John Miller, PE, CFM, Association of Floodplain Managers of New Jersey
- Kerry Miller, ANJEC
- Dr. Chris Obropta, PE, Rutgers Cooperative Extension
- Dr. David Robinson, State Climatologist
- Joe Ruggeri, NJDEP
- Dr. Judy Shaw, Sustainable Raritan River Initiative, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy, Rutgers University
- Jim Waltman, ED, Stony Brook Millstone Watershed Association
Additional panelists will be added as they are confirmed.
To participate in the workshop advance registration is required. Please contact Sara Malone at 908.892.0020 or sjmalone@ejb.rutgers.edu by Thursday, March 14 to register.