The mayor of Piscataway says that a project to protect his town could be in jeopardy if federal funds are diverted to build a wall on the United States and Mexico border.

Mayor Brian Wahler says the Army Corps of Engineers is slated to start the Green Brook Flood Control Project. It’s designed to stop water from the Raritan River from rushing into neighborhoods in Piscataway and other communities that are within the river’s basin.

He says that the project is essential to prevent future flooding in the area.

“This is taken almost two decades to plan this. And a lot of effort from local officials and the county to fight for funding over the years,” says Wahler. “I don't think that Corps of Engineers should be yanked away from this project to jump start a project that wasn't an issue up until 21 days ago.”

The federal government has been slated to fund 75 percent of the more than $656 million Green Brook project.