POMPTON LAKES — Money will be needed to ease flooding problems along New Jersey's 935-square-mile Passaic River Basin. A special flood advisory commission created by Gov. Chris Christie released 15 recommendations on Thursday. The panel calls for a moratorium on new construction in the basin's flood plains, which span the eastern Highlands region, Pompton Valley and the Watchung Mountains....
Andrew Minko and his wife Lorraine Minko walk along a flooded street in Wayne in this 2005 file photo.
POMPTON LAKES — Money will be needed to ease flooding problems along New Jersey's 935-square-mile Passaic River Basin.
A special flood advisory commission created by Gov. Chris Christie released 15 recommendations on Thursday.
The panel calls for a moratorium on new construction in the basin's flood plains, which span the eastern Highlands region, Pompton Valley and the Watchung Mountains.
The most expensive option would be to spend an estimated $3.4 billion to buy all vulnerable properties.
Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin told The Record newspaper the building moratorium would not conflict with Christie's support of more development because there are plenty of places to build.
Christie created the commission after floods in March caused more than $33 million in damage.
Related coverage:
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• Christie forms commission to oversee Passaic River flooding relief
• Passaic River rises beyond flood stage in Little Falls
• Passaic River reaches flood stage, heavy rush hour traffic expected in Wayne