Last modified on June 24th, 2025 at 12:36 pm

This two-page document provides an overview of permissible land uses and strategies for enhancing floodplain functions on Blue Acres properties and other flood-prone open spaces. It highlights real-world examples of repurposed properties, guidelines for maintaining open space, and nature-based solutions to improve water absorption and community resilience.

Key Points

1. Community Benefits of Open Space:
   • Examples include a restored native landscape in Woodbridge with native plants and a gravel walkway, a maintained mowed lawn with planted trees, and an engineered multi-use space in Lambertville with access to both the land and the waterway, seating, and native plants.
2. Land Use Considerations:
   • Blue Acres properties must be maintained as open space with restrictions such as no pavement, no vehicle use or storage, no obstructive fences, and no walled structures.
3. Enhancing Floodplain Functions:
   • Strategies include planting native flood-tolerant plants, preventing soil compaction, and implementing green infrastructure like rain gardens and bioswales to improve water absorption and resilience.
4. Additional Resources:
   • References to “Creating Flood-Resilient Landscapes: A Primer for New Jersey Communities” and the “Blue Acres Program Post-Buyout Land Management Field Guide” for further guidance on managing flood-prone land.