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Brielle council opposes NJDEP "REAL" rules, calls for phased approach and further review
Summary
The Brielle Mayor & Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing the NJDEP 'REAL' rules in their current form, citing concerns about applying long-term sea-level rise projections to current land-use regulation and potential impacts on property values and redevelopment.
The Brielle Mayor & Council on March 9 adopted a resolution formally opposing the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Resilient Environments and Landscapes (REAL) rules and urged the state to withdraw or revise the regulations.
Resolution 26-62-B, moved by Councilman Shaak and seconded by Councilman Gianforte, stated that the borough supports science-based resilience measures but objects to immediately applying model-based sea-level rise projections stretching to 2100 to present-day land-use decisions. The resolution said such long-range projections "may result in premature and disproportionate regulatory burdens" on a fully built-out coastal borough such as Brielle.
Why it matters: The resolution asserts that REAL rules will expand flood-regulated areas, affect a large share of Brielle properties, trigger higher building-elevation requirements, limit basements/subgrade construction, increase construction costs and insurance premiums, and potentially erode the borough’s ratable base. The council asked the state to pursue a stakeholder-driven, phased approach with probability-based assessments and independent economic and fiscal impact analyses before implementing similar regulations.
Council action and vote: The resolution was adopted by a recorded vote of Colon, Gianforte, Laufer, Shaak and Visceglia—all ayes—with Councilman Nolan absent. The text directs transmittal of a certified copy to state legislators, the NJDEP commissioner and the governor.
Context: The resolution cites concerns about reliance on long-term projections, uncertainty in sea-level modeling and potential consequences for property marketability, financing and municipal finances. The minutes reference Rutgers and other academic discussions to note uncertainty in upper-end model outcomes and urge more transparent mapping and legislative oversight.
Next steps: A certified copy of the resolution will be sent to state elected officials and the NJDEP as listed in the resolution. The council asked for further state-level review and stakeholder engagement as the next procedural step.
