OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY
Blue Acres
DEP Blue Acres helps New Jersey residents and communities identify and avoid risks of flooding through strategic climate resilience planning and the state-led acquisition of flood-prone property.
Since its inception in 1995, DEP Blue Acres has worked to better protect public safety and the environment by relocating New Jersey families whose homes are subject to repeated flooding and acquiring property for use as natural flood storage, parks, and community open space.
Today, DEP Blue Acres has two core missions:
- Disaster Recovery: Blue Acres helps New Jersey residents whose homes have been damaged in flooding events, such as those whose homes were destroyed or damaged when the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida impacted New Jersey in September 2021.
- Preparedness: Blue Acres contributes to New Jersey’s Climate Change Resilience Strategy through a proactive approach to guide state acquisition of lands that increases host community resilience through the strategic acquisition of lands that have been damaged, or may be prone to future damage, due to sea-level rise, storms, or storm-related flooding, or that may buffer or protect other lands from such damage.
Homeowners, sell land to DEP
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Program Alerts & Updates
Blue Acres Receives Approval for NRCS Flood Buyouts in Cranford
NRCS has approved $3.5 million in Blue Acres buyout funding for five flood-prone properties along Orchard Brook in Cranford. This funding comes in response to damage caused by Hurricane Ida and is part of the Emergency Watershed Protection program, which supports voluntary property buyouts to reduce future flood risk.
Blue Acres staff have notified the homeowners and assigned case managers to guide them through the next steps of the buyout process, leading up to closing. Once acquired, the properties will be cleared and restored to provide natural flood mitigation benefits.
Land Use Visioning Increases Support for and Participation in Flood Buyouts
Blue Acres recently conducted an online survey to assess public interest in increased engagement around buyouts and the potential benefits of using land use “visioning” to strengthen community support. Results showed strong support for more public engagement (93%) and the use of visual aids (87%) to boost buyout participation.
Blue Acres Receives Approval for a Third Batch of FEMA Flood Buyout Funding
FEMA has approved a third batch of Blue Acres buyout funding for 42 specific properties, following the first batch approval in January and the second batch approval in April. These batch approvals are part of the $50 million Hazard Mitigation Grant Program allocation for voluntary buyouts in New Jersey following Hurricane Ida’s impact in September 2021.
Blue Acres staff notified the owners immediately and assigned case managers to begin guiding the homeowners through the steps to receive a formal buyout offer.
Manville Borough's Flood Risk Reduction Policy
A state-led, risk and resilience-centered decision framework has been established to drive the use of post-Ida recovery investments in Manville Borough to support the state’s hazard mitigation priorities of saving life first and protecting property.
The StoryMap, Navigating Risk: Flooding and Mitigation in Manville NJ, is a tool for current and prospective Manville homeowners to easily check if a property is within a designated Disaster Risk Reduction Area (DRRA) by using a built-in search function. It also expounds upon Manville’s Flood Risk Reduction policy, exploring the borough’s history of flooding, ongoing risk, and the factors contributing to the designation of DRRAs.
Press & Publications
Murphy Administration Partners with USDA to Launch Buyouts of Flood-Prone Property in Cranford
NJDEP, NJ.com: November 26, 2024
The NJ DEP Blue Acres program is partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on a $3.5 million initiative to buy out homes at high risk of flooding in Cranford Township, focusing on properties near Orchard Brook. Funded entirely by the USDA’s Emergency Watershed Protection program, the project expands New Jersey’s recovery efforts from Hurricane Ida, complementing FEMA and HUD-funded initiatives.
The program will transform purchased properties into open space to reduce flood risks, create recreational opportunities, and enhance local ecosystems, emphasizing a proactive approach to building flood-resilient communities.
Floodplain Success: New Jersey Towns Limit Development Despite Pressures
EOS Magazine: October 30, 2024
An article from EOS highlights a recent study by A.R. Siders, examining how New Jersey, one of the most flood-prone states in the U.S., has minimized floodplain development despite climate change and housing demands. The study reveals that 85% of towns in New Jersey have reduced new construction in floodplains over the past 20 years through consistent application of land use management tools.
While floodplain development still occurs, it is happening less frequently than expected. Overall, the study underscores the critical role of local decision-making in floodplain management and New Jersey’s commitment to adapting to a changing climate while ensuring community safety and resilience.
Home buyout programs adapt to worsening flood risks
Grid Magazine: September 01, 2024
As southeastern Pennsylvania grapples with worsening flood risks, Grid Magazine highlights New Jersey’s Blue Acres program as a model for effective flood mitigation. The program’s success is attributed to consistent state and federal funding, faster processing times, and comprehensive homeowner support, making it a standout example for other regions.
As Philadelphia and neighboring areas face rising flood risks and logistical challenges in developing their own buyout programs, Blue Acres serves as a blueprint for proactive flood risk management. Its approach provides a clear path forward for communities struggling to protect residents and adapt to climate change.
New Jersey’s Approach to Flooding May Be a Model for Illinois Communities
Illinois Answers Project: May 16, 2024
An article published by the Illinois Answers Project highlights New Jersey’s Blue Acres program as a national model for managing flood-prone areas.
The success of Blue Acres is attributed to consistent funding from federal and state sources, enabling continuous property buyouts and comprehensive homeowner support.
The program’s innovative measures also set it apart, including in-house case managers that guide homeowners through the buyout process and its partnership with the recent Smart Move Program pilot.
Looking for something else? Check our archives page for past announcements, newsletters, and articles.
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