Month: November 2023

New Report – Creating Flood-Resilient Landscapes: A Primer for New Jersey Communities

New Jersey faces escalating flood risks impacting over 629,250 properties. This report advocates for a transformative approach, utilizing buyout programs to acquire flood-prone properties and convert them into protected open spaces. However, managing these areas poses challenges, necessitating an ecologically centered resilience strategy. This concise primer, a blend of engineering, ecology, and social science, serves as a crucial guide for municipalities, professionals, and stakeholders working to enhance statewide flood resilience.

 

Creating Flood-Resilient Landscapes: A Primer for New Jersey Communities

Why It’s So Hard to Stop Building Homes in Places at Risk from Climate Disasters

NPR: Nov 6, 2023

Chief Resilience Officer Nick Angarone and Blue Acres Program Manager Courtney Wald-Wittkop are quoted in this article that spotlights how 3 different US cities, including Woodbridge, NJ, are adapting to climate change.

With climate-fueled disasters killing hundreds of Americans annually and costing communities billions of dollars, a growing number of local governments are asking a basic question: Are there some places where people shouldn’t build homes?

It’s one of the most difficult choices a community can make. Local governments typically want more housing, not less, because budgets are generally funded by the property taxes from those homes. At the same time, a nationwide housing shortage is creating even more pressure to build.

https://www.npr.org/2023/11/06/1204923950/arizona-california-new-jersey-climate-flood-wildfire-drought-building-homes.

Climate Change Issues Force Areas to Consider If People Shouldn’t Live There Anymore

NPR: Nov 10, 2023

NPR’s Rebecca Hersher speaks with homeowners, local officials, and NJDEP Chief Resilience Officer Nick Angarone about the impacts of flooding and the results of Blue Acres voluntary buyouts in New Jersey.

Climate change means more flooding. And communities from California to New York are facing the same difficult question, is the flood risk in some areas too high for habitation? Rebecca Hersher from NPR’s Climate Desk visited a town that’s had some success in tackling the problem.

https://www.npr.org/2023/11/10/1212068825/climate-changes-forces-areas-to-consider-if-people-shouldnt-live-there-anymore 

11-9-2023 Blue Acres Bulletin

Last modified on November 16th, 2023 at 2:11 pm

11.9.23 Release of Blue Acres Bulletin Newsletter

In this edition: Three Open Application Periods | New Webpage Launches for Local Governments | Blue Acres to Attend League of Municipalities Conference | To Build or Not To Build Homes in Risky Places