Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) formally approved the funding agreement for the $3.2 million Blue Acres buyout project for five specific properties located in East Hanover Township in Morris County and South Plainfield Township in Middlesex County. The project will be funded with $2.5 million from the USDA, while the remaining amount will be provided by the state. The NRCS administers the EWP to assist in protecting lives and property from flooding or soil erosion after a natural disaster. This federal funding comes in response to a declaration of watershed impairment by the State Conservationist following riverine flooding between December 18, 2023, and January 10, 2024. Prior to the full, formal approval of NRCS-EWP buyout funds, this new partnership between NRCS and the State of NJ was announced by NJDEP and covered by national and local media outlets. 

The five participating homeowners have been informed of the approval, and they are each actively working with a Blue Acres case manager. Homeowners awaiting buyout funding opportunities can be assured that Blue Acres will provide timely updates to them as new information becomes available. 

Using funds from the NRCS-EWP buyout program, Blue Acres will purchase homes from participating residents and remove the buildings from the flood-prone area. The area will then be stabilized and replanted to enhance natural flood storage. The restoration may also include passive recreation opportunities and improved wildlife habitats. To accomplish these goals, conservation practices such as obstruction removal, brush management, tree and shrub planting, critical area planting, and mulching will be implemented. 

Blue Acres is planning community engagement opportunities to inform residents about the voluntary buyout project and ongoing flood mitigation efforts in their community. While no meetings have been scheduled yet, community members will have the chance to ask questions and provide input on post-buyout land use as plans develop. Those interested can look out for upcoming updates about opportunities to participate. 

In communities impacted by constant flooding or severe erosion due to a natural disaster, a property buyout might be the best solution. Blue Acres is a voluntary buyout program that only works with willing sellers. The buyout process remains fully voluntary from the initial expression of interest in a buyout to the date of closing. As part of NJDEP’s Office of Climate Resilience, Blue Acres plays an integral part in advancing the State of New Jersey’s Climate Change Resilience Strategy.