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N.J. bill would use open-space money for flood buyouts
Owners of more than 1,000 flood-prone homes could receive buyouts from New Jersey towns under a proposal that received unanimous support after its first legislative hearing Thursday.
The legislation permits municipalities to establish so-called Blue Acres programs to complement the state’s Green Acres program that enables towns to acquire land for parks or conservation, said Sen. Bob Gordon, a Democrat whose Bergen County district was hit hard by flooding from Hurricane Irene and other summer storms.
Money raised through local open-space taxes – subject to voter approval – could be used to buy out homeowners, knock down flood-prone structures, and turn the property into parks. (Delli Santi, The Associated Press)
