Posted: Friday, May 13, 2011 12:00 am

FAIRFIELD TWP. – In the aftermath of floods that ravaged the township from March into April, local officials continue discussions on possible flood remediation strategies with the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The three parties met in mid-April for a technical meeting to provide input to develop an upcoming Passaic River Basin Revaluation Study, which would assess and compare potential flooding remedies for the affected communities.

Mayor James Gasparini said in a statement released Friday “We are pleased to share that, while nothing is final, we have discussed with the Corps what potential solutions they will be considering. These will likely include examining and comparing alterations to the Beatties Dam, modifications at Two Bridges, as well as channel modifications and combinations of levees and floodwalls”. The mayor said that, to date, more than 1,200 acres in Fairfield have been designated as preserved natural flood storage areas,

Along with the mayor’s statement New York District Commander Col. John R. Boule of ACE said that the Army Corps of Engineers “is committed to examining comprehensive flood risk reduction alternatives for residents through continued partnership with officials.”

The cost, scope and schedule of the Reevaluation Study will be ready for the state’s review by the end of the year at the latest.