Ramapo River Restoration Project Moves Along

[Pete]

IMHO: The Borough Council was manipulated into a no-win position. By the time the Borough Engineer (and his crony), the lawyers, and the Administrator got through they could:

• 1. Vote NO, and be perceived as being against fixing the river.
  
  2. Delay it pending a re-bid and/or scope change, and lose the grant (never expect a politician to pass up a grant).
  
  3. Vote YES, and risk a crappy job, or a DEP denial, (then they could blame the DEP).

I'm split between feeling sorry for them, and blaming them for taking the coward's way out.

BTW:
I posted the article on a couple of the "Oakland" Facebook Pages. Based on the reaction, the citizens of Oakland are NOT HAPPY about this turn of events (including at least one activist that I'm not sure I want on my side).

https://www.facebook.com/groups/7216...7252652629360/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3074...3546203792050/

EDIT:
Brian
I was joking about your expensive rocks.
The reporter who wrote the article, seems to think that all this entails is throwing some boulders in the water.

I hope EJTU isn't as bitter as you seem to be. If this proceeds, some intelligent input may be the only way to make the best of a bad situation.

[lightenup]

EDIT:
Brian
I was joking about your expensive rocks.
The reporter who wrote the article, seems to think that all this entails is throwing some boulders in the water.

I hope EJTU isn't as bitter as you seem to be. If this proceeds, some intelligent input may be the only way to make the best of a bad situation.

Yes, if they come groveling back, I would make them grovel a bit and then do the right thing for the river...... You can always tell them "I told you so" later...it's a good feeling....

[Pete]

It appears that East Jersey Trout Unlimited also has reservations about an inexperienced contractor, and will withdraw from the project.

See their June newsletter https://gallery.mailchimp.com/5c2ebc...16_Riffles.pdf
Scroll down to Page 2 "Conservation Notes", last paragraph, (continued on Page 3).

[Rusty Spinner]

It appears that East Jersey Trout Unlimited also has reservations about an inexperienced contractor, and will withdraw from the project.

See their June newsletter https://gallery.mailchimp.com/5c2ebc...16_Riffles.pdf
Scroll down to Page 2 "Conservation Notes", last paragraph, (continued on Page 3).

Correct, Pete. East Jersey TU wrote a great letter to the town mayor that they could not support an unqualified vendor and are removing their physical and financial support for the project unless vendors change to a qualified vendor with previous river restoration experience. Not sure if she read it yet as it likely mailed out this past weekend. This entire process was a complete embarrassment for the Borough of Oakland. There is one specific person that owns 99% of this mess and he works for someone other than the town, wink, wink.

[Pete]

Correct, Pete. East Jersey TU wrote a great letter to the town mayor that they could not support an unqualified vendor and are removing their physical and financial support for the project unless vendors change to a qualified vendor with previous river restoration experience. Not sure if she read it yet as it likely mailed out this past weekend. This entire process was a complete embarrassment for the Borough of Oakland. There is one specific person that owns 99% of this mess and he works for someone other than the town, wink, wink.

It's just a "second hand rumor", but I understand that Pompton Lakes may be getting concerned about what might happen upstream in Oakland.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/7216...17651474922811

After the Corps of Engineers completed the infamous "flood control project", Pompton Lakes is a bit wary about what goes on upstream.

[Rusty Spinner]

It's just a "second hand rumor", but I understand that Pompton Lakes may be getting concerned about what might happen upstream in Oakland.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/7216...17651474922811

After the Corps of Engineers completed the infamous "flood control project", Pompton Lakes is a bit wary about what goes on upstream.

Would be awesome for the Army Corps to reach out to Oakland with their concerns! We work with the Army Corps most every day all over the country on a variety of projects they issue permits to us for. Also, I asked to join the Oakland Facebook page although you guys and gals seem on top of things! I can't post there until approved.

[Pete]

Would be awesome for the Army Corps to reach out to Oakland with their concerns! We work with the Army Corps most every day all over the country on a variety of projects they issue permits to us for. Also, I asked to join the Oakland Facebook page although you guys and gals seem on top of things! I can't post there until approved.

Actually there are three Oakland FB pages (that I know of). The one I linked above probably gets the least traffic, but you've met the administrator. (Way to brown-nose - "liking" her posts).

Others:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/30749332049/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/355762197961246

[FIN-ITE 34]

It looks as if some sanity may be brought back to this project. Let's all keep our fingers crossed that ultimately they will do the right thing.

[Rusty Spinner]

It looks as if some sanity may be brought back to this project. Let's all keep our fingers crossed that ultimately they will do the right thing.

My best and well educated guess being smack in the middle of this is that this bid will fall apart over time and they will equally screw up any rebid down the road. I am not in any way alone in my thoughts on this. They listen far too much to their hired outside engineer who has absolutely no clue what this type of work entails. He thinks any trained monkey can restore a river.

Of course, it doesn't help that he has me to look to

[lightenup]

My best and well educated guess being smack in the middle of this is that this bid will fall apart over time and they will equally screw up any rebid down the road. I am not in any way alone in my thoughts on this. They listen far too much to their hired outside engineer who has absolutely no clue what this type of work entails. He thinks any trained monkey can restore a river.

Of course, it doesn't help that he has me to look to

You said, "trained monkey", soooo???

[FlyBri]

Here's another Oakland Facebook page that has some comments.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1672988849581465/

[Rusty Spinner]

Here's another Oakland Facebook page that has some comments.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1672988849581465/

That's a closed group, so I had to request to join and can't see the comments until an admin lets me on.