On July 17, 2023, significant changes were adopted in the context of New Jersey’s Stormwater Management (SWM) rules and Flood Hazard Area Control Act (FHACA) rules. This initiative has been named the Inland Flood Protection Rule.
This move is part of the broader initiative dubbed NJ Protecting Against Climate Threats (NJ PACT), aimed at combating the increasing climate impacts.
Under the purview of these changes, the state has adjusted flooding standards, addressing not only recent incidents of extreme rainfall events but also aimed at mitigating anticipated future rainfall events through the year 2100. This foresight highlights the alarming concern of environmental changes leading to increased occurrences of flooding, requiring necessary adjustments in the present to secure the future.
The Inland Flood Protection Rule is meant to provide much-needed strategic changes in the face of the climatic threat. This development is of great relevance for legal professionals working in environmental law, the real estate sector, and corporations with significant interests in safeguarding their properties against environmental impacts. The rule reflects an active commitment to confronting climate change and adopting measures for responsible, long-term planning.
Details of the adopted changes can be found at Mandelbaum Barrett PC’s post on JD Supra. Legal professionals are advised to stay updated on this topic as it will likely serve as a basis for emerging environmental protection regulations across the globe.