New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

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New Jersey will be getting more than $72 million in federal money to help coastal communities use nature-based preventative measures to address climate-related flooding and other disasters. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration made the announcement on Friday in Perth Amboy. NOAA says that it is allocating $575 million to 19 resiliency projects in several states. New Jersey’s funds will be used for so-called “living shorelines,” using native plants, oyster reefs and other natural materials to restore and protect waterfronts. There also is money to replace sidewalks with permeable pavement, to top buildings with plants to help absorb heat, and to establish parks in flood-prone areas that can absorb floodwaters. "Today's awards will help scale up climate-ready coastal initiatives to take plans off paper and into communities across the country. Thanks to the Biden-Harris administration, we are investing in blue American infrastructure to safeguard the future of our coast and our country at large as we combat climate change,” said Jainey Bavishi, assistant secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. Officials plan to start projects in 45 coastal communities around the state. The money is part of NOAA’s Climate Resilience Regional Challenge funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. Rep Frank Pallone, Jr. said several of the projects will incorporate rain gardens, “green roofs” and permeable pavement to absorb rainwater and storm surges rather than carrying them into quickly overflowing sewers. The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report. "