Overview

Overview

REAL will modernize New Jersey’s environmental land use rules to respond to climate change by considering risks such as sea-level rise and chronic flooding, and to facilitate climate resilience by supporting green infrastructure and renewable energy.

REAL Facts

  • Nearly two-thirds of New Jersey’s coastline is at high, or very high, risk to coastal erosion.

     

  • 98% of our coastline is projected at medium, or very high risk, to sea- level rise.

     

  • More than half a million acres of New Jersey land is highly vulnerable to coastal hazards.

     

  • Current projections indicate as much as 5.1 feet of sea-level rise is likely by 2100.
The Proposed New Standards
  • Ensure that buildings and infrastructure are built for today’s conditions and the structure’s lifetime.
  • Apply only to new development, redevelopment and substantial improvements to buildings.
  • Will not affect existing development.
  • Will not create “no build” zones.
  • Will not require structures to be elevated when doing so is impracticable.

REAL Action

  • Adjust Coastal Flood Hazard Areas to account for increasing storm surge due to rising sea levels, extending jurisdiction further inland, requiring elevation (i.e., residential, infrastructure) or floodproofing. ​
  • Create an Inundation Risk Zone to address risk from sea-level rise for proposed residential buildings and critical structures in areas of permanent or daily inundation.
  • Improve Water Quality and Reduce Flooding through sound stormwater practices in areas where stormwater is unmanaged or is not adequately managed.
  • Encourage Nature-Based Solutions by working with nature to protect our communities and resources.
  • Support Renewable Energy by balancing habitat conservation with novel infrastructure demands.
  • Improve State Alignment with FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program.

New Climate-Adjusted Flood Elevation

CURRENT: Roughly 16% of NJ lies in a FEMA-mapped floodplain

Regulatory flood equal to FEMA’s Base Flood Elevation.

PROPOSED: Adds 1.5% more land area into tidal regulatory floodplain

New coastal flood elevation will be equal to FEMA BFE+5.

New Inundation Risk Zone

Applies to:

  • Residential buildings ​
  • Critical buildings & infrastructure

Requires:

  • Inundation risk assessment
  • On-site alternatives analysis
  • Risk acknowledgment

Exceptions for certain maintenance-related activities :

  • Safety or state of good repair improvements to roads
  • Public roadway projects that reach a “preferred alternative” before adoption of new standards
  • Minor drainage improvements

REAL Next Steps

  • Courtesy copy of rulemaking is available at njdepwptest.net/njreal​
  • May 20, 22, 23, 29: Topical Public Webinars
  • July 2024: Anticipated publication in New Jersey Register
    • 90-day comment period and three public hearings to follow publication in New Jersey Register
  • Fall 2025: Anticipated adoption and effective date of new standards

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