RAHWAY RIVER WATERSHED 1000 RAIN GARDEN PROJECT ON DISPLAY AT

SPRINGFIELD LIBRARY MAY 27 TO JUNE 17 – Discussion of Rain Garden Basics

June 17 7pm Library Meeting Room No Charge Open to the Public

Press Release: Barbara Rappaport, Springfield Township Flood Mitigation

Committee – Sat., May 24, 2014

In response to the flooding Springfield experienced from hurricane Irene, Sandy

and the continual threat of flooding, Springfield, through the Mayor’s Office,

the Springfield Township Environmental Commission and the recently formed

Springfield Township Flood Mitigation Committee are working with municipalities

within the Rahway River Flood Zone to develop plans and policies to mitigate

regional flooding.

Such plans include the Rahway River Watershed 1000 Rain Gardens Project,

sponsored by the Rahway River Watershed Flood Advisory Board. The project

hopes to have municipal governments and town residents plant up to 1000 rain

gardens. A typical rain garden will absorb approximately 25,000 gallons of runoff

per year. The goal of this project is to keep 25 million gallons of storm water out

of the river, along with the pollutants it carries.

Springfield has signed on to this project with plans to install demonstration

gardens. Members of the Environmental Commission and Flood Mitigation

Committee have taken training to become “Rain Garden Champions.” Rutgers

Extension Services in Westfield provided the training.

From May 27 to June 17, in the lobby of the Springfield Library, 66 Mountain Ave.,

is a display of the dramatic impact that rain gardens have on flooding. On June

17, 7pm in the library meeting room, there will be a discussion of Rain Garden

Basics and how individuals can become involved. The meeting is free and open to

the public.