Courier Editorial - May 1, 2008

Pallone plan is best address to FEMA flood map fallout

The Clamdigger

By JIM PURCELL

    Rep. Frank Pallone is introducing legislation in the U.S. Congress that would, if adopted, place a moratorium on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's plans to expand flood zones.
    This legislation has specific meaning in the Bayshore, Northern Monmouth County. Some homeowners that are currently in areas considered somewhat likely to flood will now be placed into areas very likely to flood. In addition, some homeowners, currently in areas considered not likely to flood will be placed into zones that are considered likely to flood.
    The consequences of this situation can be counted in dollars and cents. Purchasing flood insurance can be costly and is not the kind of news that area homeowners need from any level of government. In other cases, modest policies for flood insurance will have to be upgraded to include more coverage.
    Bayshore flooding has been an issue for a long time. Last year, Rep. Pallone placed Bayshore flood remediation on the Federal Budget for action. However, this item was removed from the budget as a "Christmas tree" item by the administration.
    Rest assured that alleviating flooding in the Bayshore is not a 'nice to have' thing. It is a very serious, chronic situation that is not going to get solved without legislative action and support from the Bayshore.
    The current petition being circulated by Assemblywoman Amy Handlin fails to address the need for support of the measure that Rep. Pallone is advancing in Washington, D.C.
    The residents from the Bayshore need to have a say, but the only 'say' that residents get with the April 28 petition circulating in the area from Assemblywoman Handlin is a tepid 'please.'
    This county, this state and especially New Jersey's legislative delegations in Washington, in both houses, should pause long enough to address the immediate concerns of thousands of Bayshore residents that are staring down Big Government at its worst in this moment.
    At its worst this FEMA measure will help wound an already weak real-estate market locally, not to mention provide no real help for a citizenry that has been actively seeking assistance for decades.
    While Rep. Pallone's proposed legislation will stop the immediate bleeding from FEMA, the only real solution to this situation is the Federal Government meeting its responsibility to stop flooding in the Bayshore, and not just in North Middletown: The whole Bayshore.
    Politics seems to be a part of everything in Northern Monmouth, and perhaps it has always been that way. However, in this instance, politics should not get in the way of this area, with one voice, making itself heard in this county, this state and in the halls of government in Washington, D.C.
    This FEMA flood map issue is a test of area resolve and unanimity, which will have consequences for years to come for area homeowners. This issue is bigger than politics and should be treated that way.
    For more information, go to Pallone's Web site at: http://www.house.gov/pallone
(For more information, go to: www.theinsideclamdigger.blogspot.com).