New Jersey has received $11.9 million dollars from the Federal Emergency Management Agency as part of its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the voluntary acquisition of 76 homes in South River.  This is part of the Christie Administration's plan to buy out homes impacted by Superstorm Sandy.

"We continue to make tremendous progress toward our goal of moving willing sellers in flood-prone areas out of harm's way," said Governor Christie.  "My administration remains committed to working closely with FEMA to help these Sandy-impacted homeowners move forward with their lives as quickly as possible."

"We know these are very difficult and very personal decisions," said Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob Martin.  "We are working tirelessly to help residents understand this option and ease them through the process, working one-on-one with them and coordinating our efforts closely with our state and federal partners.  The homes will be demolished and made into open space that will mitigate future flooding."

The buyout program is targeting 1,000 properties in tidal areas affected by Sandy and another 300 properties in the Passaic River Basin that have repeatedly flooded.

Sayreville and South River in Middlesex County are being targeted for the first phase of acquisitions under the $300 million dollar buyout program.  FEMA previously awarded nearly $29.5 million in funding for the purchase of 129 homes in Sayreville.

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