Lawmakers approved a Delaware River Basin Restoration Program and to allow a Union Beach flood control program to begin.
WASHINGTON -- Legislation to create a Delaware River Basin Restoration Program in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service won congressional approval before lawmakers adjourned for the year.
The provision is included in the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act and provides for $5 million a year in grants for projects designed to improve habitats and water quality and reduce the threat from floods in the Delaware River Basin, setting up a program similar to those for the Chesapeake Bay and Long Island Sound.
The basin pumps around $25 billion a year into the regional economy and supports around 600,000 jobs. The watershed encompasses 26 percent of New Jersey's land area and 20 percent of its population.
"Protecting and promoting the Delaware River Basin for future generations is an economic and environmental priority," said Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd Dist.).
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The legislation also addresses the problem of lead in water following reports of contaminated water in Flint, Mich. In New Jersey, lead has been found in drinking water in Newark public schools and other New Jersey districts, as well as in the water supply at Rowan University in Glassboro.
The bill includes $750 million for new programs to help communities monitor water systems for lead contamination and take steps to fix any problems.
"With this bill, we are helping communities, like Newark and Flint, address lead contamination and provide safe drinking water, including in schools," said Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-10th Dist.).
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6th Dist.), the top Democrat on the House Energy and Committee, was the only New Jersey lawmaker to vote against the measure, citing an unrelated provision that would override environmental and endangered species protections to address California's drought problem.
"The decision by Republican leadership to include damaging legislation on California water in an otherwise good, bipartisan bill is deeply disappointing," Pallone said. "Members and staff had devoted months to the underlying package, including long overdue aid for the people of Flint. But I cannot support the California water poison pill."
The water bill also authorized $55 million to improve storm protection for North Wildwood, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and Lower Township in Cape May and Ocean counties, including dune construction; and required the Army Corps of Engineers to complete its study and then begin work to design a project to reduce the threat of flooding Rahway River Basin in Essex, Middlesex and Union counties.
"Residents and businesses," said Rep. Leonard Lance (R-7th Dist.) "have waited long enough."
Before ending the legislative session, lawmakers also passed Pallone-sponsored legislation to make mapping changes in the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System.
This was needed before the Army Corps could begin a $273 million flood control project in Union Beach, which was hard hit by Hurricane Sandy.
And the House voted to provide grants for first responders, law enforcement authorities and nonprofit organizations to help them track and find those with autism who wander away.
The measure, sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.), would expand a current program for Alzheimer's patients. It is named for two children with autism, Kevin Curtis Wills, 9, of Jefferson, Iowa, and Avonte Oquendo, 14, of New York City, both of whom wandered away and drowned.
"Time and training are of the essence when individuals wander and Kevin and Avonte's Law can help equip local law enforcement with the training and technology to bring these children home safely," Smith said.
Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.