Can green infrastructures help alleviate flooding in Hackensack? Yes, says nonprofit

HACKENSACK — As the city is in the midst of a massive multimillion-dollar project to separate parts of its aging sewer lines, a nonprofit is working to install green infrastructure to also help manage stormwater runoff and alleviate flooding.

The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, a city-based nonprofit, is working to address flooding issues in the city with rain gardens, rain barrels, green roofs and other projects, thanks to a $75,000 matching grant from The Funders Network, and support from other community organizations.

The project aims to manage stormwater while beautifying the community, particularly city neighborhoods that have a higher concentration of low- and moderate-income households, said Leonardo Vazquez, executive director of the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation.

“We want to be a catalyst for more green infrastructure and more environmental work in the city,” he said. “We’re engaging residents, business owners and public officials together in collaboration to find ways to address things that we are all concerned about, like flooding.”

As climate change has caused more frequent and stronger rainstorms, communities like Hackensack have become more vulnerable to flooding and damage to homes and businesses. During heavy storms, some low-lying Hackensack neighborhoods experience routine flooding, and as the pipes of the city’s combined sewage system become inundated with stormwater runoff from streets, the raw sewage and pollution from roadways flow untreated into the Hackensack River.

The city has addressed the issue in recent years by separating parts of the system and installing retention basins to hold water during storms to alleviate some of the pressure. That work is ongoing.

Green infrastructure, using tools such as rain gardens, planting trees and rain barrels designed to capture rainwater before it flows into the system, is another part of the solution and something that people can do on a smaller scale.

“This work is building on the really good work the city is doing to address flooding by separating the sewer and storm systems,” Vazquez said. “This is enhancing the work that’s already being done.”

Story continues below gallery.

The Hackensack Environmental Justice Alliance, a group of city residents and organizations, recently formed to advocate for environmental justice as part of the project. Anyone interested in working to reduce flooding and beautify the city is invited to join its monthly meetings.

Last fall, rain barrels painted by local artists were on display at Carver Park to highlight ways green infrastructure solutions, like rain barrels, can help prevent future flooding. After the exhibit, the 11 painted rain barrels and 10 more unpainted ones were given to Hackensack residents.

More: Hackensack asks NJ attorney general to weigh in on cops paid twice for same time worked

In April the group will hold a two-part workshop called No-Mow Front Lawn workshop about the benefits of native plants instead of traditional lawns at the Johnson Public Library.  The donations received through the workshop will be used to help build a community rain garden in Hackensack.

The foundation plans to recruit volunteers to install the rain garden at Hackensack High School on June 1 as part of a community event, where it can serve as a demonstration, Vazquez said.

“We want to raise awareness and help provide people with some of the tools they can use. It’s not a complete solution, but every little bit helps,” Vazquez said.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Nonprofit has green plan to help alleviate flooding in Hackensack