Will NJ Purchase Flood-Prone Properties? Legislation Advances

More than $123 million in voter-approved funding would be set aside to help preserve open space and acquire properties that are prone to flooding in New Jersey under a package of bills that have been approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

"As the most densely populated state in the nation, preserving open space is always one of our key goals, but in the aftermath of Sandy, providing funding to buy up properties that are prone to flooding and damage is paramount right now," said Appropriations Committee Chair John Burzichelli.  "The Blue Acres program was designed to help alleviate repeated nightmares for home and business owners located in flood-prone areas.  This program allows them to willingly sell their homes to the state, which is crucial.  Properties that are repeatedly prone to flooding are nearly impossible to sell, nor do we want new owners to come in and subject themselves to costly, reoccurring damage."

"While these are all worthy projects, moving forward, as we work to identify a new funding source for these programs, we certainly must place an increased emphasis on properties in flood-prone zones.  As Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I look forward to being a part of those discussions," said Burzichelli.

The State's Blue Acres program was designed to provide funding for the acquisition of properties, including structures, that have been damaged by, or may be prone to incurring damage caused by, storms or storm-related flooding, or that may buffer or protect other lands from such damage.

The funding comes from the Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection and Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2009, which was approved by voters.