Blue Acres Program

Blue Acres Program is sponsored by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Provides funding for floodplain acquisition and restoration.

_DEP Blue Acres helps New Jersey residents and communities identify and avoid risks of flooding through strategic climate resilience planning and the state-led acquisition of flood-prone property.

_ Since its inception in 1995, DEP Blue Acres has worked to better protect public safety and the environment by relocating New Jersey families whose homes are subject to repeated flooding and acquiring property for use as natural flood storage, parks, and community open space. Blue Acres works only with willing sellers, and the buyout process is completely voluntary.

**Today, DEP Blue Acres has two core missions**: * **Disaster Recovery:** Blue Acres helps New Jersey residents whose homes have been damaged in flooding events, such as those whose homes were destroyed or damaged when the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida impacted New Jersey in September 2021.

* **Preparedness:** Blue Acres contributes to New Jersey’s Climate Change Resilience Strategy through a proactive approach to guide state acquisition of lands that increases host community resilience through the strategic acquisition of lands that have been damaged, or may be prone to future damage, due to sea-level rise, storms, or storm-related flooding, or that may buffer or protect other lands from such damage.

## Program Alerts & Updates ##### Celebrating 30 Years of Blue Acres! On November 7th, Blue Acres celebrated the 30 th anniversary of New Jerseyans voting in favor of its creation! Approved by the legislature in August 1995, the “Green Acres, Farmland and Historic Preservation, and Blue Acres Bond Act” allocated $30 million to fund the new “coastal Blue Acres” and “inland Blue Acres” grant programs.

Over the past three decades, Blue Acres has evolved from a subset of the Green Acres Program into the unique program it is today. From the earliest flood mitigation buyouts in Lincoln Park to hitting the 1,200th program acquisition this year, Blue Acres continues to grow its capacity.

These buyouts represent 1,200 families given the opportunity to safely relocate and 360 acres preserved as natural flood storage and public open space statewide. Today, Blue Acres continues to advance its mission of safeguarding people and property from repeat flooding while looking to proactively combat future flood threats.

##### Study Shows NJ Buyouts Saved Twice Their Cost in Flood Damages A recent analysis of a 2002 Blue Acres buyout project in Manville’s Lost Valley neighborhood found that the effort has already saved more than twice its cost in avoided flood damages.

The study- believed to be New Jersey’s first Loss Avoidance Study- evaluated 37 homes purchased before three major floods and highlights the long-term financial and risk-reduction benefits of proactive flood mitigation. This summer, Princeton Internships in Civil Service (PICS) intern David Roessler partnered with Blue Acres to conduct the study, which assessed the impacts of storms following Hurricane Floyd in 1999.

Using an interactive StoryMap, David guides readers through the methodology and findings, offering a compelling case for continued investment in climate resilience. Explore the full StoryMap, including maps, photos, and technical details here.

##### Blue Acres Responds to July Flooding - Consultation Events and Initial Funding Approvals Following the severe flash flooding on July 14, for which Governor Murphy declared a State of Emergency, Blue Acres held five outreach sessions in August to inform affected homeowners about the voluntary flood buyout process. These one-on-one consultations allowed residents to receive personalized guidance.

As a result of applications submitted after the flood, New Jersey has **approved 18 state-funded Blue Acres buyouts** for the most severely impacted properties. Many of these homes were deemed substantially damaged or unsafe, displacing families and making them top priorities for acquisition. ##### Blue Acres Partners with NRCS for $6.

7M in Voluntary Buyouts The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program has provided$3. 5 million for voluntary buyouts in Cranford and approved an additional plan for $3. 2 million for buyouts in East Hanover and South Plainfield.

This buyout funding comes in response to multiple damaging flood events that have impacted the project areas in recent years, including Hurricane Ida in 2021 and flooding during the winter of 2023-2024. Participating homeowners are already working with Blue Acres case managers. Once acquired, these properties will be cleared of manmade structures and restored to provide natural flood mitigation benefits.

##### Tidal Flooding Talk Podcast Welcomes Blue Acres Tidal Flooding Talk–a weekly show dedicated to flooding and resilience–welcomed Blue Acres Program Manager Courtney Wald-Wittkop. H osts Joe Martucci(from Cup a Joe Weather and Drone)and Palma Shiles discussed the history of Blue Acres, the voluntary buyout process, and how Blue Acres partners with other agencies at the local and state levels.

Delving into the future of flood resilience in New Jersey, Courtney highlighted the ongoing need for localized planning and public education, stating that resilience is “about people understanding the risk and taking the time to have difficult conversations. ” While voluntary buyouts may not be the best option in every scenario, they have an important place in the flood resilience and recovery toolkit. View the full episode onYouTube!

##### Inside Climate News Report: NJ Blue Acres is a National Model **Inside Climate News: December 25, 2025** ##### Murphy Administration Partners with USDA to Launch Buyouts of Flood-Prone Property in Cranford **NJDEP, NJ. com: November 26, 2024** The NJ DEP Blue Acres program is partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on a $3.

5 million initiative to buy out homes at high risk of flooding in Cranford Township, focusing on properties near Orchard Brook. Funded entirely by the USDA’s Emergency Watershed Protection program, the project expands New Jersey’s recovery efforts from Hurricane Ida, complementing FEMA and HUD-funded initiatives.

The program will transform purchased properties into open space to reduce flood risks, create recreational opportunities, and enhance local ecosystems, emphasizing a proactive approach to building flood-resilient communities. ##### Floodplain Success: New Jersey Towns Limit Development Despite Pressures **_EOS_ Magazine: October 30, 2024** An article from _EOS_ highlights a recent study by A. R.

Siders, examining how New Jersey, one of the most flood-prone states in the U.S., has minimized floodplain development despite climate change and housing demands. The study reveals that 85% of towns in New Jersey have reduced new construction in floodplains over the past 20 years through consistent application of land use management tools. While floodplain development still occurs, it is happening less frequently than expected.

Overall, the study underscores the critical role of local decision-making in floodplain management and New Jersey’s commitment to adapting to a changing climate while ensuring community safety and resilience. ##### Looking for something else? Check our resources page for past announcements, archived newsletters, and more!

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