Blue Acres program

[dogg57]

Most residents are familiar with Green Acres, the New Jersey open-space initiative, but not with the Blue Acres version.
Under Blue Acres, the state can buy flood-prone land when maintaining private property there becomes difficult. The land is then preserved as open space.
Last week, the state Assembly Appropriations Committee approved a bi-partisan package of bills (A3368, A3369 and A3370) that appropriates more than $123 million in voter-approved funding for a new Blue Acres initiative.
“This program allows [home and business owners] to willingly sell their homes to the state, which is crucial,” said Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem), chairman of the Appropriations Committee.
“Properties that are repeatedly prone to flooding are nearly impossible to sell,” Burzichelli explained, “nor do we want new owners to come in and subject themselves to costly, reoccurring damage.”
The money from the Blue Acres push comes from a bond approved by New Jersey voters in 2009, the Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act.
http://www.nj.com/cumberland/index.ssf/2012/11/hurricane_sandy_brings_relevan.html

 

[Gibby]

This is also known as Regulatory Takings, the functional equivalent of Eminent Domain. If there were stricter zoning laws (higher regulatory standards) in flood prone areas, this wouldn't be a tax payer problem. It is a simple concept - don't build in a flood zone.

 

[Boyd]

If the government would be stricter about which properties are eligible for subsidized flood insurance, it seems like the problem would take care of itself. You could still have your waterfront home, but if you want insurance you would have to pay something that reflects the true risk of flooding.

 

[Gibby]

Boyd, you and I know, individual responsibility isn't the current trend. How could we expect a good citizen to bare the financial risk?

I good start would be to eliminate high risk properties that have had repetitive damage and to have insurance premiums that cover the true costs. The government should not be in the business of subsidizing building in flood prone areas. Also, low interest business loans from the government shouldn't be given to homeowners to rebuild in the same areas, especially when it is their second home.

 

[dogg57]

Boyd, you and I know, individual responsibility isn't the current trend. How could we expect a good citizen to bare the financial risk?

I good start would be to eliminate high risk properties that have had repetitive damage and to have insurance premiums that cover the true costs. The government should not be in the business of subsidizing building in flood prone areas. Also, low interest business loans from the government shouldn't be given to homeowners to rebuild in the same areas, especially when it is their second home.

Why not ....Hey this Government Gives away Billions to Other country's all the time. Hey we all be gone in less then 30 days So Smile...Dec. 21, 2012 Some of Our children have learn bad habits thinking, things are owe to them.Thinking they should get paid 20 dollars a hour for flipping burgers. I wish I had the answer

 

[dogg57]

Hey Gibby Read this one ...See if this is why the world is crazy

The Karans are demanding that the town pay them $375,000 for damaging their ocean view. How? By building the dune in front of their house, the very dune that officials say saved their property from Sandy last month.The couple won the judgment in state court last year, and the borough has appealed to the state Supreme Court. The couple’s lawyer said that despite the protection the dune provided to the Karans’ 2,112-square-foot summer home, which they owned since 1973, the borough still needs to pay up.

http://www.app.com/viewart/20121125...ocean-view?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

 

[Gibby]

See if this is why the world is crazy

Why would a matter like this even make it into the court room?!? The couple and their lawyer should use lithium to treat their mania.

If the borough of Harvey Cedars has to actually pay the amount, every business and service should unite and black list this couple, making life impossible for them on the island.

 

[bobpbx]

Hmmmm. I suppose it might be time to suggest that state and federal help for barrier islands be discontinued. In fact, tear down the dunes and let the homeowners fend for themselves. No Federal flood program will be allowed....and as homes become damaged to a point, say...51% of the value or more, then you cannot rebuild.

Wait, here is what I really think. Barrier Islands whould be barren. No buildings except bath houses every 1/2 mile. The only recreation allowed is swimming, surfing, fishing, boating, camping in designated areas.

Of course, no pain intended for those of you who own there. I'm just dreaming of an ideal situation.

 

[amf]

I suspect Gandys Beach will be going the way of Seabreeze.

 

[Hewey]

Wait, here is what I really think. Barrier Islands whould be barren. No buildings except bath houses every 1/2 mile. The only recreation allowed is swimming, surfing, fishing, boating, camping in designated areas.

Of course, no pain intended for those of you who own there. I'm just dreaming of an ideal situation

I like your thinking, Bob. But like you say, only a dream. Imagine a Barnegat Bay with the enitre Barrier Island barren from Barnegat Inlet to Bay Head. No homes on the west bank of the Bay would be a nice touch also.

Tracey's family wants nothing to do with living on the Island anymore. Her family has lived on the Island for four, maybe five generations. They are going to rebuild and try to sell. I will be over on the Island this Sunday helping her family try to clean up their mess. It looks worse in person than it does in pictures. An absolute war zone. The Insurance Company didn't look at the property until yesterday!

Chris

 

[46er]

It could be so simple. Insurance companies should not issue coverage to homes in these locations unless they have agreed to the dune program, then price the coverage accordingly. It's called a bad risk and they do it all the time with other forms of insurance. Florida did this after Andrew. As it stands now, all that are insured within the state will be helping to foot the bill with soon to come higher premiums.

http://www.app.com/viewart/20121202/NJNEWS10/312020080/Shore-towns-near-showdown-dune-building-foes

 

[46er]

Imagine a Barnegat Bay with the enitre Barrier Island barren from Barnegat Inlet to Bay Head. Chris

One need look no further than Island Beach State Park to see how well nature manages himself with the help of those that gave their time on dune grass restoration projects. The dunes did the job they were supposed to, a couple of blowouts, but the shacks are still in place as are the state facilities. Some cleanup sure, but not the wholesale destruction as seen further north. Even the Judges shack came thru it. The area around the inlet did have some major changes, but thats to be expected.

My wifes family owned a home in the Chadwick section, FIL built it from a kit after he returned from WW2. One of the first things they did after building was too raise it and it weathered many a storm, including Sandy. It was sold some years ago when MIL could no longer be alone.

New FEMA flood maps due out next week.