The federal government announced Wednesday that it will spend $129,000 in an effort to prevent flooding of the Peckman River, a tributary of the Passaic River that runs through Cedar Grove and Verona.

The Army Corps of Engineers has been awarded $129,000 to plan for flood damage reduction initiatives for the Peckman, which runs through Verona Park and along Grove Avenue and Little Falls Road in Cedar Grove.

Although Woodland Park and Little Falls tend to bear the brunt of flooding from the Peckman when a heavy storm comes through, Cedar Grove has been affected by the overflowing river in the past, such as during Hurricane Floyd in 1999, Mayor Robert O'Toole said.

O'Toole is a member of the Regional Flood Control Board for Cedar Grove, Little Falls and Woodland Park.

The board will meet with the Army Corps of Engineers on June 9 to discuss future plans for the river, O'Toole said.

In the past, creating another tributary connecting the Peckman and the Passaic rivers either through a tunnel or viaduct has been discussed, he said.

The funds come from the Fiscal Year 2011 Continuing Resolution, which Congress passed in April, according to a press release.

In total, New Jersey will receive more than $160 million for water projects.