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Wednesday, September 14th, 2016

Rising oceans and sinking land could push New Jersey’s coastal population inland

Author:     MICHELLE BRUNETTI POST
Source:     Atlantic City News
Publication Date:     Sep 6, 2016
 Link: Rising oceans and sinking land could push New Jersey’s coastal population inland
Stephan:   I am beginning to see more and more stories like this one. For the cities and towns along the coastlines, particularly the East Coast their future is becoming clearer and it is a terrifying picture. Imagine that you are invested in high end coastal real estate and suddenly it is becoming obvious your house value is going to drop to zero. Up until now denial was the principal response, but sinking land and rising seas really aren't influenced by people's unwillingness to face the facts.
Homes along Osborn and Mystic Islands in Little Egg Township Credit: Craig Matthews

Homes along Osborn and Mystic Islands in Little Egg Township
Credit: Craig Matthews

People may need to move from the coast in the next few decades if sinking land combines with potential sea rise as some scientists predict, according to a nonprofit looking for ways to minimize losses due to floods.

And planning should start now on how to discourage coastal development, said New Jersey Future Planning Director David Kutner.

But such talk has been controversial.

The group’s message was met with strong emotions from residents of Tuckerton and Little Egg Harbor Township at a meeting with New Jersey Future last week, as homeowners already are worried about falling property values.

New Jersey Future is developing recommendations for changes to the Coastal Area Facilities Review Act, which regulates coastal development, under a grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection, Kutner said.

About 35 people attended the meeting at the Jacques Cousteau Coastal Center in Tuckerton to discuss ways of […]

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