Congressman Pallone Secures $72 Million for Natural Flood Resilience Projects in New Jersey Coastal Communities

Perth Amboy, NJ - Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ-06) today announced $72 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to support a statewide climate change preparedness initiative administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). This ambitious project, Building a Climate Ready NJ, will significantly reduce flood risks for coastal communities along all NJ coastal counties by implementing natural flood barriers in communities. These projects may include oyster reefs along shorelines to slow down storm surge or plant installations, like gardens along city streets, and new permeable parking lots that reduce runoff during extreme rain events. Building a Climate Ready NJ is one of 19 winning projects from across the U.S. selected through the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge, an unprecedented $575 million competition funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and championed by Congressman Pallone.

"These initiatives are crucial for the future of our communities," said Congressman Pallone. "We are preparing for the challenge of climate change but also creating a more sustainable and resilient future for all New Jersey residents and coastal wildlife. As a longtime champion of legislation to support living shorelines, I was proud to lead the charge to secure these investments through the Inflation Reduction Act."

"The Murphy Administration is grateful to our federal partners at NOAA for this funding that will support the critical goals outlined in Building a Climate Ready NJ," Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said today in Perth Amboy, which will benefit from projects funded by the DEP through the NOAA grant. "This initiative complements the DEP's mission to strengthen coastal resilience in communities most at risk for a changing climate."

"Over the last few years, we have seen the detrimental effects of increasing and extreme weather events across the state - especially in some of New Jersey's frontline coastal and riverine communities," said Governor Murphy. "It is critical that we ensure their resilience in the face of climate change and thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, New Jersey will receive much needed support to prepare these regions for flooding, storm surge, and other extreme weather events."

"New Jersey's unique coastal communities are a highlight of the Jersey experience. In addition to the millions of residents who call our coast home, thousands of families from across the world visit these towns throughout the year, generating billions in tourism dollars for our state's economy," said Lt. Governor Tahesha Way. "With climate change making our state more susceptible to destructive effects, we are focusing on ways to safeguard the families and neighborhoods on our coast. I am so grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for this critical funding awarded today to help create more storm resilient coastal communities in our state to protect neighborhoods and families from harm and maintain our beautiful Jersey Shore."

"As part of President Biden's commitment to combatting the climate crisis, we are investing $575 million to help make sure America's coastal communities are more resilient to the effects of climate change," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "As part of this historic investment in our nation's climate resilience the Biden-Harris Administration is investing $72.5 million to help underserved communities in New Jersey develop and implement new strategies to protect themselves from flooding, storm surge, and extreme weather events."

"Since day one, the Biden-Harris Administration has been committed to combatting our climate crisis and ensuring that all communities have the resources, tools, and support they need to succeed and thrive," said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves. "Just like in New Jersey, communities across the country are also witnessing a range of devastating impacts from our rapidly changing climate - from extreme heat, to wildfires, to coastal storms, flooding and erosion. This investment will bring regions together through transformative partnerships to set us on a new course for safety, security, and climate resilience."

"NOAA recognizes that measurably reducing risks and coastal-area vulnerabilities are integral components of strengthening communities to work towards an equitable, climate resilient future," said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. "This funding provides New Jersey with climate data and services, technical assistance and critical resources that support transformational resilience, restoration and adaptation in support of the exceptionally strong demand for these types of projects."

Building a Climate Ready NJleverages an extensive network of federal, state, local, private sector and community partnerships, including NJ Sea Grant, Monmouth University, and Rutgers, to advance locally-led planning, design, and construction work.

The $72 million investment will support numerous transformative projects in New Jersey's 6^th District. In Perth Amboy, Rutgers will build rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavements to mitigate stormwater flooding and urban heat. Additionally, Rutgers and the Watson Institute will provide training programs for community members, including classroom instruction, hands-on training, and business plan workshops, creating valuable job opportunities.

The investment will also advance hundreds of identified resilience projects that have long been unfunded. It also leverages $10 million in funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and NOAAthat Congressman Pallone championed to hire design consultants, who will work with 44 NJ communities to move these projects closer to implementation. In NJ-06, these communities include Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Sayreville, South River, Old Bridge, Carteret, South Amboy, Middletown, Highlands, Sea Bright, Monmouth Beach, Long Branch, West Long Branch, Little Silver, Fair Haven, Red Bank, Oceanport, and Sandy Hook.

In a letter dated February 12, 2024, Congressman Pallone led other members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation to express strong support for the NJDEP's Building a Climate Ready NJ application. They highlighted the project's comprehensive approach to enhancing coastal resilience across New Jersey and emphasized the state's vulnerability to climate change. The letter detailed the NJDEP's extensive network of partnerships and existing initiatives aimed at mitigating extreme weather impacts and advancing resilience projects. The delegation urged NOAA to give fair and thorough consideration to the application, underscoring the importance of federal funding for the project's success.

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