New Jersey's answer to flooding: buying out and demolishing 1,200 properties.
The state of New Jersey has long struggled with the issue of flooding, particularly in communities like Manville, where residents have grown weary of dealing with frequent and devastating downpours. To address this problem, the state's Blue Acres program was established in 1995, which uses federal and state funds to buy out homes in flood-prone areas and permanently restore the property to open space.
So far, over 1,200 properties have been acquired through the program, with some homeowners accepting buyout offers for as little as $22 million. The program has provided a lifeline for residents who have lost their homes due to flooding, but it's not without its challenges. Some neighborhoods have mixed feelings about the amount of money they're offered, and there are concerns that the town will lose tax revenue from properties sold through the program.
The Blue Acres program is considered a national model for dealing with climate-related flooding, and New Jersey has been praised for its innovative approach to addressing the issue. The state's program has achieved "significant results" by moving quicker than federal buyout programs, providing a stable source of state funding, and shepherding homeowners through the process.
However, there are concerns that the program may not be enough to address the scale of the problem. With sea levels projected to rise significantly in the coming decades, communities like Manville will likely face more frequent and severe flooding events. The town's mayor, Richard Onderko, has expressed frustration with the lack of progress made by his administration to address the issue.
Onderko, who grew up in a flooded neighborhood and was even rescued from his childhood home during Hurricane Doria in 1971, knows firsthand the impact of flooding on communities. He says that while the Blue Acres program has helped some residents, it's not enough to save the town. "It's going to take a miracle to try to save this town," he said.
The state's approach to addressing flooding is just one example of how climate change is being felt in New Jersey and around the country. As the impacts of climate change continue to worsen, communities will need innovative solutions like Blue Acres to mitigate the effects of rising sea levels and more intense weather events.
The state of New Jersey has long struggled with the issue of flooding, particularly in communities like Manville, where residents have grown weary of dealing with frequent and devastating downpours. To address this problem, the state's Blue Acres program was established in 1995, which uses federal and state funds to buy out homes in flood-prone areas and permanently restore the property to open space.
So far, over 1,200 properties have been acquired through the program, with some homeowners accepting buyout offers for as little as $22 million. The program has provided a lifeline for residents who have lost their homes due to flooding, but it's not without its challenges. Some neighborhoods have mixed feelings about the amount of money they're offered, and there are concerns that the town will lose tax revenue from properties sold through the program.
The Blue Acres program is considered a national model for dealing with climate-related flooding, and New Jersey has been praised for its innovative approach to addressing the issue. The state's program has achieved "significant results" by moving quicker than federal buyout programs, providing a stable source of state funding, and shepherding homeowners through the process.
However, there are concerns that the program may not be enough to address the scale of the problem. With sea levels projected to rise significantly in the coming decades, communities like Manville will likely face more frequent and severe flooding events. The town's mayor, Richard Onderko, has expressed frustration with the lack of progress made by his administration to address the issue.
Onderko, who grew up in a flooded neighborhood and was even rescued from his childhood home during Hurricane Doria in 1971, knows firsthand the impact of flooding on communities. He says that while the Blue Acres program has helped some residents, it's not enough to save the town. "It's going to take a miracle to try to save this town," he said.
The state's approach to addressing flooding is just one example of how climate change is being felt in New Jersey and around the country. As the impacts of climate change continue to worsen, communities will need innovative solutions like Blue Acres to mitigate the effects of rising sea levels and more intense weather events.
I mean, it's great that the state is trying to help people who are struggling with flooding, but what about all those families who have lived in Manville for generations? They're not just going to move away because someone offers them some cash. It's like, we need to think about the people, not just the property values 
. And I'm worried that this program is just going to push the problem down the road, rather than addressing it head-on 
. We need to be thinking about ways to prevent flooding in the first place, not just dealing with the aftermath 
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. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's nice that they're trying to help people affected by flooding, but what about the long-term solutions? Like, how are they gonna stop the sea levels from rising in the first place? 
It just seems like we're putting all our eggs in one basket here and hoping for a miracle... which, as Mayor Onderko said, is kinda laughable 
. And what's up with the price tag of $22 million per property? That's some serious cash 
. I'm not saying it can't work, but I'd wanna see more thought put into this whole thing before I start high-fiving 
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. Maybe a better approach would be to work with the homeowners to find solutions that benefit everyone? Like some kind of hybrid program that balances buyouts with flood-proofing measures and community involvement 
... I mean, $22 million is a pretty sweet deal, but still gotta be tough to leave your home behind 
. We need more than just buyouts and restorations, we need actual solutions like sea walls and flood-proof buildings 
. Still, I gotta give New Jersey props for trying to tackle this huge issue 
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. And what about the tax revenue? It's not like the state can just magically create more money.