NEW JERSEY — The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has added three regions to its Resilient NJ program, expanding an effort that brings municipalities and community organizations together to plan for flooding and other climate-related hazards. The program supports regional planning using climate science and provides assistance to local governments developing resilience strategies.
The new Delaware River Sourland Mountain, Cumberland County Bayshore and Burlington County Southwest Pinelands regions bring the number of regions in the program to nine, according to the DEP. Two other regions, surrounding the Shark River and Lower Passaic River, were announced in April.
Each new regional team will be paired with planners, engineers, ecologists, designers and other experts to identify climate vulnerabilities, develop resilience action plans and implement projects. Each region will receive a grant of up to $350,000 to support its participation, with work expected to begin early next year. The DEP’s grant program provides awards of up to $350,000 for regional planning efforts.
“Floodwaters, extreme heat and wildfires do not stop at municipal boundaries. These shared climate hazards require regional action, informed by the latest climate science, to protect public health and safety,” said Commissioner Potosnak. “The addition of these new regional planning groups ensures that communities are taking proactive measures that don’t just plan for the next storm but drive solid investments in natural systems and infrastructure to further deliver on the Sherrill Administration’s priority of mitigating flooding.”
The Delaware River Sourland Mountain Region includes Lambertville, Stockton Borough, Delaware Township, West Amwell Township, East Amwell Township, Hopewell Township, Hopewell Borough and Pennington Borough, along with the Sourland Conservancy and The Watershed Institute.
The Cumberland County Bayshore Region includes Maurice River, Commercial, Downe, Lawrence, Fairfield and Greenwich townships and Cumberland County. Participating community organizations include the American Littoral Society, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Reserve, Bayshore Center at Bivalve and Citizens United for the Maurice River.
The Burlington County Southwest Pinelands Region includes Evesham, Medford, Shamong and Tabernacle townships, Medford Lakes Borough and Burlington County, along with the Pinelands Alliance.
“Together, these regions represent the diversity of New Jersey’s communities and landscapes, each facing unique climate challenges,” said New Jersey Chief Resilience Officer Nick Angarone. “Through Resilient NJ, these regions will develop robust plans with tailored solutions that are ready for the next funding opportunity.”
Cumberland County Commissioner Director Sandra Taylor said the county hopes the program will assist its Delaware Bayshore communities.
“Cumberland County is looking forward to working with NJDEP and their professionals as a means to support the oyster and fishing industry while providing necessary assistance to our historic Delaware Bayshore Communities,” said Cumberland County Commissioner Director Sandra Taylor. “Our hope is that we can create a successful resiliency plan along the Delaware Bay coastline that will support our local governments’ goals while promoting the exceptional environmental work produced by our non-profit partners.”
Lambertville Mayor Andrew Nowick also highlighted the cooperation among municipalities in Hunterdon and Mercer counties.
“Even five years ago, the idea that eight municipalities covering 150 square miles would come together for regional resilience planning seemed very unlikely. But not today,” said Lambertville Mayor Andrew Nowick. “By committing to work across borders, elected leaders, volunteers, and CBOs in Hunterdon and Mercer County acknowledge the imperative nature of this initiative.”
The DEP said approximately $10 million is being provided for five regional and consulting team project efforts, with one-third of the funding required to be used to implement selected planning actions.
Funding for the projects comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the Building a Climate Ready NJ initiative and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. The DEP lists NOAA and HUD as funding sources for the regional planning grant program.
