Booker Helps Secure New Jersey Wins in Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Flood-Prone Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) secured a slate of New Jersey priorities in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, bipartisan legislation authorizing Army Corps of Engineers flood protection projects and reauthorizing EPA drinking water and sewer funding nationwide. The bill cleared the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously.

"Too many New Jersey families live one storm away from losing everything," said Booker. "This bipartisan bill delivers real flood protection and clean water investments for communities from the Rahway River to the Meadowlands to Gloucester City. I'm proud we got this done across party lines, and I won't stop until it's signed into law."

New Jersey Wins Secured by Booker:

• Green Brook Flood Control Project - advances work in both the Lower Basin and the study of the Upper Basin, moving this critical project forward after the area suffered devastating floods in July 2025.
• Rahway River Basin - expedited completion of this flood risk management project to protect communities from repeat flooding.
• New York-New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries - Authorizes a $278.3 million total ($180,916,000 federal / $97,417,000 non-federal) Flood Risk Management Project for coastal storm flood protection. The project that provides flood control measures across large portions of New Jersey and New York secured a final signed Chief's Report on July 6, 2026.
• Delaware River, NJ - an updated dredged material project supporting coastal storm risk management and ecosystem restoration.
• NJ Meadowlands - a beneficial use of dredged material projects to restore wetlands and reduce flood risk.
• Maurice River & Salem River - navigation maintenance dredging to keep South Jersey waterways open for commerce.
• Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic & Union Counties - $8 million for water, wastewater, and stormwater upgrades serving the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission.
• Gloucester City - $5 million for flood resiliency infrastructure.
• Upper Delaware River Basin - formal recognition for coordinated flood and watershed management across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

The bill also reauthorizes the Senator Booker-authored Decentralized Wastewater Program, reauthorizes the Drinking and Clean Water State Revolving Funds, and renews critical programs such as the lead in drinking water program and the school and childcare lead testing program. The bill renews EPA watershed restoration programs and directs a new EPA study of microplastics removal technology. These provisions will help protect the health and well-being of families across New Jersey and the nation.

The legislation advances to the Senate floor for consideration. The Senate action follows the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's unanimous passage of companion legislation one day earlier. The two chambers will also begin to reconcile differences between their respective bills before final passage.

"This authorization reflects Senator Booker's unwavering commitment to improving the lives of New Jerseyans and to the environment," said Brendan Murphy, Chairman, Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission. "The funding made available to PVSC under WRDA 2026 will be used to implement historic, long-needed sewer infrastructure upgrades to reduce combined sewer overflows and further enhance water quality in the Passaic River and Newark Bay, all while promoting affordability. The strong efforts of Senator Booker and his staff, as well as the bipartisan support for WRDA 2026, demonstrate once again that clean water is not optional; it is essential."

"The Water Resources Development Act has long reflected a bipartisan commitment to protecting and strengthening our nation's water resources," said Kristen Bowman Kavanagh, P.E. Executive Director of the Delaware River Basin Commission. "In the Delaware River Basin, continued investments in sound water resources management benefit our shared waters and communities, and we appreciate Congress's focus on these critical priorities."

"The Green Brook Flood Control Commission appreciates Senator Booker's longstanding commitment to the project which is critical to protecting people in the Green Brook Basin from flooding," said Raymond Murray, Chairman, Greenbrook Flood Control Commission. "We are grateful for the provisions in the WRDA 2026 legislation that he has secured, which will advance work in both the Lower Basin and the study of the Upper Basin. Senator Booker's advocacy on behalf of the Commission is a vital part in the effort to make our communities more resilient, in protecting lives and properties from flood damage."

"The Mayors Council Rahway River Watershed Flood Control appreciates the work of Senator Booker to ensure the provision for the re-evaluation of the flood mitigation study of the Rahway River Basin got onto the Water Resources Development Act 2026," said Dan Aschenbach, coordinator for the Mayors Council Rahway River Watershed Flood Control. "Senator Booker has continued to recognize the impact of past storms and continues to serve the communities well by making a mitigation plan a priority."