Resilient Environments and Landscapes (REAL): Myths and Facts
Message from
Commissioner Shawn LaTourette
on REAL
With the proposed REAL– Resilient Environments and Landscapes – reforms, New Jersey is the first state in the nation to initiate a comprehensive update of land resource protection regulations focused on impacts of a changing climate.
NJDEP has proposed modernizing land resource protection rules to better support New Jersey communities, residents, and businesses in building their resilience to sea-level rise, extreme weather, chronic flooding, and other impacts of our changing climate.
Almost two-thirds of New Jersey’s coastline is already at high or very high risk to coastal erosion and 98% of the coastline is projected at medium or very high risk to sea level rise. Over half a million acres of New Jersey land are highly vulnerable to coastal hazards.
How will
FLOOD INSURANCE
be impacted by the rules?
The REAL rules will not impact flood insurance mapping or require people to obtain flood insurance. Federal flood insurance rates are set by FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Only FEMA can amend or alter these maps.
How will
REBUILDING AFTER FLOODS
be impacted by the rules?
The proposed REAL rules would not prevent or discourage redevelopment after a storm. The REAL rules would instead protect life and property by requiring resilient design and construction in zones that will be inundated in the future.
How will
INFRASTRUCTURE
be impacted by the rules?
The REAL rules would ensure that new and redeveloped buildings and infrastructure are safer for current and future residents, business owners and first responders, and that water quality, which is critical for recreation, fishing and industry, is improved.
How will
COASTAL DEVELOPMENT
be impacted by the rules?
No prohibition on any type of development is proposed.
How will
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
be impacted by the rules?
The REAL rule will make affordable housing developments safer and more resilient. Investing in resilience measures, such as elevation, represents a marginal cost that pays high dividends in terms of reducing flood insurance costs and potential for loss of life and property throughout the lifetime of a structure, and helps avoid disruption to business and the community.
How will
URBAN REVITALIZATION
be impacted by the rules?
The proposed rules would increase the resilience of our urban communities and improve water quality. For too long, these often overburdened areas of the state have been plagued by flooding and poor water quality because they were developed before protective standards existed.
REAL:
True or
False?
Because misinformation is real, even for REAL, test your knowledge with true or false.