NJ Coast to Receive $72 Million for Natural Flood Resilience Projects

PERTH AMBOY - The city served as a backdrop on July 26 for an announcement that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is earmarking $72 million to support statewide climate change preparedness.

This project, Building a Climate Ready NJ , is designed to reduce flood risks for coastal communities along all New Jersey coastal counties by implementing natural flood barriers in communities. The $72 million investment will support hundreds of transformative projects in Middlesex County, city officials said.

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Projects are based in 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.

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.

Rutgers University 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.

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.

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"Today is a significant day for Perth Amboy and other shore towns in New Jersey," said Mayor Helmin J. Caba. "This federal investment is going to help us tackle coastal resilience, cut down on flooding, and create habitats for local wildlife with green infrastructure and living shoreline projects. With this funding, we'll boost our stormwater management and make our urban spaces greener, cooler, and more sustainable."

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

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