The April 2006 Project Coordination Team Meeting was held at the Corps of Engineers Construction Job Site Office located at 100 West Main Street, Suite 101, Bound Brook Borough on April 13, 2006. In the absence of a separate Report by the Federal Engineers of the Project Coordination Team Meeting held on March 16, 2006, the Memo Report prepared by J. B. Wiley, of that meeting, was made available as a record of the activities and decisions of the March 2006 meeting.

The meeting was called to order at approximately 11:25 AM. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:05 PM. The following notes are grouped by those subjects which are of interest to the Green Brook Flood Control Commission. Accordingly, they do not necessarily cover every matter discussed, and do not necessarily follow the order in which matters were dealt with.

There did not seem to be a "sign-in" sheet at this meeting; however, John O'Connor, P.E., and Mary Daly of the Corps of Engineers, Michael Cox, P.E. from URS Corporation (consultants to the Corps of Engineers), a representative from Middlesex County, a representative from the Borough of Bound Brook, one from Bridgewater Township, and from the Green Brook Flood Control Commission Joseph Debler, Chairman, John Sweeney and J. B. Wiley, Jr. were among those present.

The meeting got underway later than the usual time because the Corps of Engineers staff persons were occupied with an inspection visit by representatives from the Office of Congressman Frelinghuysen (and perhaps from the staffs of other Members of Congress) that morning.

It was reported that Ms. Virginia Kopkash, and another official of the NJDEP, recently toured the "Finderne Farm" Wetlands Mitigation Site.

Apparently the planning for this Wetlands Mitigation Site took into account the importance of unpredictable weather, both on the construction work and on the planting which is part of the wetlands creation.

A number of optional courses of action were incorporated into the contract, so that there has been a plan for any possible combination of weather conditions.

The work now involves principally the planting of various vegetation appropriate to wetlands, all of which is expected to be completed by the end of April 2006.

It was brought out that the planning by the Federal Engineers had contemplated rain at the rate of approximately 1 " per week at this time of year; and as we have all learned, that did not happen this April.

It was also brought out that in the course of the planning, one thought that had been considered was to "overplant" the area so that the deer could not eat all of it. In any event, the planning for this new constructed wetlands took into account the presence of deer, even in this very densely developed area.

Charles Defendorf, P.E., NJDEP, reported that the unresolved issues concerning Green Acres within the Borough of Bound Brook seem to be moving forward; although apparently this problem has not yet been fully resolved.

It was reported (by the Federal Engineers) that by the first of May, it is anticipated that "90 complete" Plans and Specifications will have been accomplished for the replacement of the Talmage Avenue bridge.

It was further reported that the "100% completion" of these Plans and Specifications is expected by the end of June 2006, and it was further reported that the Federal Engineers will be "Ready To Advertise" for construction bids by August 2006.

However, that does not mean that matters will move forward into construction, because under the procedures established by Congress, the Federal Engineers are not permitted to proceed with a Segment of the Project until Congress has appropriated the fully amount of money needed to complete that Segment of the Project; and this applies even in cases where the construction will extend over more than one year.

It appears that the firm position being taken by the utilities companies, together with the recommendation by President Bush that no money at all be given to the Project next year, mean that the necessary replacement of the existing Talmage Avenue bridge with a new and higher bridge has become a major stumbling block in the efforts to provide flood protection for the Borough of Bound Brook.

Ms. Mary Daly, Real Estate specialist, reported on the two privately owned properties which must be acquired (in the Borough of Bound Brook) in connection with the planned new and higher Talmage Avenue bridge.

One of these properties is a residential property, and the owner has found and apparently acquired a suitable replacement property, and the necessary acquisition of that residential property is now complete.

The other property which must be acquired is a commercial property, and that acquisition process is being delayed, basically because of the "uncooperative attorney" representing the present owner.

Ms. Mary Daly reported that efforts continue to reach an agreeable solution for the acquition of this property. In this connection, John O'Connor, P.E., Federal Engineers, noted that the necessary money for this real estate acquisition is "on hand".

In connection with real estate matters, Ms. Mary Daly reported that the owner of the last property at the west end of West Main Street has now given a "Right of Entry" for a small excavation to be carried out as part of the investigation of underground conditions in this vicinity (part of the line of protection which will extend from the south end of the recently completed Rl levee between the ball fields and the Middle Brook along the Tea Street area).

From there, the necessary line of protection will pass through the approach to the new and higher Talmage Avenue bridge, and will then form an arc from the left hand bank of the Middle Brook until it meets the left hand bank of the Raritan River (this section of the Project is identified as "R2").

The Federal Engineers reported that in the event that Congress does not provide enough money to proceed with the new and higher Talmage Avenue bridge, the "fall back" plan will be to proceed with the earthen levee referred to as "R2" (as mentioned above).

John O'Connor, P. E., Federal Engineers, noted that the construction of the earthen levee portion of R2 will cost "only approximately one half" of what the new and higher Talmage Avenue bridge will cost.

The "R2 levee" will involved approximately six privately owned properties. If the owners of these various properties should, for any reason, decline to accept the price determined by independent licensed New Jersey Real Estate Appraisers, then it will be necessary to resort to condemnation. However, condemnation is never desirable, and moreover can take up to nine months to achieve.

It was pointed out that there are approximately six pieces of property which will be affected by the R2 levee.

In connection with the R2 levee, it was reported that the Federal Engineers have put together a "package" of applications for the necessary stream encroachment and wetlands permits; and that it is expected that this "package" of applications will be submitted to the NJDEP approximately the end of May 2006.

The overall cost of this R2 levee is estimately to be only approximately one half of what the new and higher Talmage Avenue bridge will cost.

In this connection, it was pointed out that the permit for the new and higher Talmage Avenue bridge was issued by the NJDEP some time ago.

On the subject of permits, the Federal Engineers reported that all of the design drawings and required permits which involve the New Jersey Transit railroad lines through this area are being handled "in one package" of drawing and permits.

John O'Connor, P.E., Federal Engineers, summarized the general plan of the Federal Engineers, in the face of uncertainty concerning the receipt of appropriations from the Federal Government. The plan is to move forward with the design and necessary permitting and other subsidiary issues, of all of the pieces of the Project (remaining to be done for the protection of Bound Brook Borough) and make decisions concerning which elements are to be actually built based upon what can be paid for, which of course depends on appropriations from the Federal Government.

NEW VIDEO PREPARED BY GREEN BROOK FLOOD CONTROL COMMISSION

Joseph Debler, Chairman of the Green Brook Flood Control Commission, advised everyone that a new video has been prepared by the Commission, and will be shown for the first time at a press conference to be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2006, at the Willows Restaurant in Green Brook Township, beginning at 11 AM.

The purpose of this video is to show all interested persons, most particularly the Members of Congress, why it is vitally important to provide sufficient appropriations to keep the Green Brook Flood Control Project moving forward in a vigorous manner.

Following the press conference, copies of the vide. will be available for appropriate public distribution.

John O'Connor, P.E., Federal Engineers, reported that a visit by representatives from the Sunbury (PA) Flood Control Project took place since the last meeting.

As previously reported, this Project in Pennsylvania was designed and built by the Corps of Engineers, and has been in service for some considerable time.

Apparently the representatives from the Sunbury Flood Control Project were interested to see what has been accomplished thus far in the Green Brook Flood Control Project.

It was reported that the Sunbury Project has a "Linear Park" all along the line of protection.

The Sunbury representatives were interested to look over the details of the Green Brook Flood Control Project (which have been completed thus far), and apparently were quite cooperative in discussing their operational experience.

Mr. O'Connor reported that one interesting piece of information provided the representatives from Sunbury was that in addition to the normal Operation and Maintenance manuals, drawings, etc., which were prepared as part of the project, the Sunbury people have evolved a one volume manual, in 8.5 X 5.5 inch size, with appropriate tab marks on the various sections, and that this manual is carried in their maintenance truck for ready reference whenever they are doing maintenance work, and particularly when flooding conditions begin to take place.

BILLIAN LEGION PARK - SEGMENT T

John O'Connor, P.E., Federal Engineers, reported that the final touches are being accomplished at Billian Legion Park. A sprinkler system is being installed for portions of the open area. He reported that the Bound Brook officials responsible for the baseball playing field appear to be pleased with the results.

Mr. O'Connor further reported that on April 20, 2006, beginning at approximately 9 AM, the large roller gate, which will be moved into position across East Street as part of the Line of Protection for flooding, will be operated. The pumping station will be operated, receiving electrical power from the diesel powered electrical generator, which is part of the pumping station.

Mr. O'Connor further reported that the metering station of the Plainfield Regional Sewerage Authority (PARSA) which is located at Billian Legion Park, near the flagpole, is now in use.

It was reported that the Borough of Bound Brook has some plans for the use of the protected area located between East Main Street and the New Jersey Transit railroad line (generally across East Main Street from the parking area at Billian Legion Park); in connection with these possible plans, the question was asked as to when that piece of land will be turned over the local ownership (by Somerset County and/or the Borough of Bound Brook).

Ms. Mary Daly, Real Estate specialist for the Federal Engineers, noted that it is a "lengthy process" to turn over this (or any other lands) to local authority.

The process involves an approval by the Assistant Secretary of the Army (in Washington, DC) who must approve transfer of the ownership from the Federal Government to the State of New Jersey, after which the State of New Jersey would presumably transfer ownership to Somerset County, who in turn presumably would transfer ownership to the Borough of Bound Brook.

All of this will happen in due course, but it will require some period of time to accomplish.

It was reported that "100% complete" Plans and Specifications for the removal of the old, disused Conrail bridge over the Raritan River are scheduled to be completed by August 1, 2006.

It was pointed out, once again, that removal of this bridge must be accomplished before completion of the line of protection from the Talmage Avenue bridge to the high ground at the Bound Brook railroad station.

This is a requirement of the NJDEP regulations.

In the Memo Report of the March 16, 2006, meeting of the Project Coordination Team, the first paragraph on page 7 read as follows:

Ms. Mary Daly, Corps of Engineers Real Estate Specialist, commented that it is her impression that the property on the east side of the Raritan River (now understood to be owned by BayerCrop Sciences) was cleaned and capped in accordance with current environmental rules and regulations. Ms. Daly indicated that she will ascertain whether or not this was done, and advise all concerned.

At this current April 13, 2006, meeting Ms. Daly advised that the above paragraph contains an error, in that this particular property is not owned by Bayer Crop Sciences.

Ms. Daly pointed out that this particular piece of property is owned by Dow Chemical. She added that she is presently attempting to obtain a "Right of Entry" to this property.

Accordingly, it is planned that this removal of the old Conrail bridge will take place, assuming that sufficient funds are available, sometime during the latter part of 2006.

BAYER CROP SCIENCES - FORMER CHEMICAL PLANT - MIDDLESEX BOROUGH

As previously reported, it is understood that the firm of Bayer Crop Sciences is now the owner of, or "responsible party", for the former chemical manufacturing operation located in Middlesex Borough, on the south side of the NJ Transit railroad line, and abutting the left bank of the Raritan River at that location.

At this meeting it was reported that Bayer Crop Sciences has advanced approximately $40 million to the NJDEP (presumably in connection with the environmental clean up/restoration of this piece of property)

It was announced that the next meeting of the Project Coordination Team will take place on Thursday, May 11, 2006, and will be held at the offices of the New York District of the Corps of Engineers, at 26 Federal Plaza, New York City, beginning at 9:30 AM.