During Hurricane Irene, many residents in the 16th Legislative District, which covers parts of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties, were forced to abandon their homes due to flooding. In the Borough of Manville alone, hundreds of homeowners were forced to leave their homes, many of whom have not as yet been able to return. For too many residents, this was the not first time. In fact, for many residents, it was the fourth time in the past 11 years they were forced to abandon their homes due to flooding.
Senator Kip Bateman and Assemblyman Jack M. Ciattarelli, R-Somerset, today said they were very pleased that Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation earlier this week that allows local officials to now use open space funds to purchase flood prone land.
“With two major flooding incidents, 2011 proved how important flood prevention is to our area. This law gives municipalities a convenient way to finance the purchase of properties that routinely flood or are needed for purposes of preventing flood damage to other areas. It is a win for taxpayers, as well as for owners of flood prone properties desperate for a buyout,” said Bateman a co-sponsor of the bill.
The bill, A-4267, gives local governments the opportunity to purchase properties defined as “Blue Acres projects” which are lands that have been damaged by storms or flooding and will be used for either conservation or recreational purposes only. The legislation has support from environmental groups and local governments.
“The opportunity to use open space funds to purchase residential properties ravaged by flooding is a very important new development, that’s why I voted in favor of the legislation,” said Ciattarelli. “By augmenting federal and state ‘Blue Acres’ programs in this way, this legislation allows local governments to now participate more fully and expeditiously in providing much needed relief to qualified homeowners.”
Bateman and Ciattarelli said they look forward to working with officials from Hunterdon, Middlesex, Mercer, and Somerset counties in implementing the new law.
Under previous law, counties and towns were permitted to establish “Open Space, Recreation and Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Funds.” Under the new law, it has been renamed “County/Municipal Open Space, Recreation, Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Funds.”
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August 17, 2011
