Miniseries of Coffee Chats examined proposed NJDEP changes to environmental land use laws to address climate change
On Aug. 5, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) entered the N.J. Protecting Against Climate Threats – Resilient Environments and Landscapes (NJ PACT REAL) proposal into the New Jersey Register for comments. NJ PACT REAL aims to modernize New Jersey’s environmental land use rules to better respond to our changing climate. The proposed rules address sea-level rise, coastal storm surge, flooding, and stormwater management concerns while improving water quality, protecting natural resources, and streamlining permitting processes that will expedite resilient investments in New Jersey’s communities and economy.
The New Jersey Coastal Resilience Collaborative (NJCRC) hosted a two-part miniseries of Technical Assistance Coffee Chats in October that assembled experts to dive into the newly proposed REAL rules and how they will facilitate a more resilient New Jersey. The sessions were moderated by Amanda Archer of the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve. Videos of the sessions are below.
The Oct. 16 Coffee Chat addressed nature-based solutions, dune management, facilitation of renewable energy, freshwater wetlands and vernal habitats, important seasonal wildlife activities, and siting coastal development. It included presentations by:
CLICK HERE to view slides.
The Oct. 17 Coffee Chat addressed the redefined extent of tidal flood hazards through the climate adjusted flood elevation (CAFE) and creation of inundation risk zone (IRZ) for future permanent or daily inundation, as well as stormwater runoff reductions and water quality treatment. It included presentations by:
CLICK HERE to view slides.