NJDEP Receives $72 Million from NOAA to Advance Climate Resilience Projects Across Multiple New Jersey Counties

Dr. Peter Rowe, Executive Director of New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium joined Lt. Governor Tahesha Way and Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, alongside U.S. Department of Commerce and NOAA officials, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Perth Amboy Mayo Helmin Caba, and other dignitaries, announced a $72 million federal grant for the Building a Climate Ready NJ initiative. This initiative is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Resilience Regional Challenge competition, which allocated $575 million to enhance the resilience of coastal communities against extreme weather and climate change impacts, such as sea-level rise. The project encompasses 16 coastal New Jersey counties. The awards are being made under the Biden Administration’s Climate Resilience Regional Challenge, a competitive, $575 million program funded through the nearly $6 billion total investment under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act that is funding 19 regional projects. 

Administered by the Department of Commerce and NOAA, the Climate Ready Coasts initiative is focused on investing in high-impact projects that create climate solutions by storing carbon; building resilience to coastal hazards such as extreme weather events, pollution and marine debris; restoring coastal habitats that help wildlife and humans thrive; building the capacity of underserved communities and supporting community-driven restoration; and providing employment opportunitiesThe New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Climate Resilience will implement the initiative, focusing on densely developed municipalities and overburdened communities. The initiative will provide resources for critical climate resilience projects, education, and workforce training on climate change.

Dr. Peter Rowe, Executive Director of NJSGC states ”We are excited to work with NJDEP and its partners on the NOAA funded project Building a Climate Ready NJ to address climate resilience challenges of New Jersey’s coastal communities including Disadvantaged Overburdened Communities (DOBC). We look forward to bringing onboard a Coastal Resilience Extension Specialist who will co-develop and manage the delivery of practitioner training modules in the CRECP (Coastal Restoration Extension and Credentialing Program) and provide outreach and educational information to communities across New Jersey.  Also, we will support a New Jersey Coastal Resilience Collaborative (NJCRC) coordinator who will engage NJCRC partners and workgroups to manage the development and integration of all Design Pipeline components.” 

Key Statements from the Press Conference held at Sadowski Parkway Waterfront Park, Perth Amboy and corresponding Press Releases:

• Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the necessity of preparing New Jersey’s coastal and riverine communities for climate change-induced extreme weather.
• Lt. Governor Tahesha Way highlighted the importance of safeguarding coastal communities to protect residents and boost tourism.
• Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette expressed gratitude for the federal funding and its role in strengthening coastal resilience.
• U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. wrote about the importance of investing in climate resilience.
• Sen. Cory Booker and Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. praised the initiative for its focus on green infrastructure, flood risk reduction, and community engagement.
• Rep. Andy Kim, Rep. Donald Norcross, Rep. Rob Menendez, and Senator Joseph F. Vitale, Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin, and Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez all expressed support for the resilience initiatives.

Project Specifics:

1. Green Infrastructure Projects: Led by Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program in Newark, Paterson, and Perth Amboy to improve stormwater management.
2. Restoration of Vegetated Marshlands: Managed by New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority in Kearny and Lyndhurst.
3. Riverfront Park Construction: DEP’s Division of Resilience Engineering and Construction will build a new park on the Hackensack River in Little Ferry.

These projects aim to enhance recreational opportunities, improve air quality, and increase access to natural areas. Additionally, hands-on learning opportunities and a green infrastructure training and entrepreneurship initiative will be launched for Newark-area students and professionals.

Future Initiatives:

• Expanding Resilient NJ Program: Funding for direct climate resilience planning assistance.
• Meadowlands Strategic Plan: To inform municipal climate resilience planning.
• Urban Chief Resilience Officer Program: Training for Chief Resilience Officers in key cities.
• Updating Flood Models and Maps: To improve planning and decision-making.
• Liberty State Park Revitalization Program: Phase 2 design plans to enhance coastal habitats and recreational opportunities.
• New State Park on Camden Waterfront: Development of community-supported designs.

Community Engagement: Education and engagement initiatives will include expanding the MyCoast NJ citizen science app, climate change resilience programming at the Novins Planetarium, and launching a K-12 Research Practice Partnership to help educators teach about climate change.