Byram council backs update to flood ordinance to stay in federal insurance program

Byram Township Council voted July 16 to support updating the township’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s model code, a step officials said is required to maintain participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Cory Stoner, Byram Township engineer, told the council that the current local ordinance contains gaps and inconsistent role definitions and that New Jersey’s model coordinated ordinance aligns state regulations (including the Uniform Construction Code and the Flood Hazard Area Control Act) with NFIP requirements. He said the NJDEP has requested a draft of the updated ordinance by the end of July and that the council should plan for final adoption in October.

Why it matters: Stoner said a FEMA audit that finds a community out of compliance could prompt suspension from the NFIP, which would make residents ineligible for federal disaster assistance and federal flood insurance. Township Manager Joseph Sabatini added that permit review would be folded into the Planning Board process rather than a separate permit application.

Council action and next steps: On a motion by Councilwoman Sheila Franco, seconded by Councilman Robert Proctor, the council voted to support the proposed ordinance and move forward with the process. Council members discussed potential additional engineering review costs, and Stoner noted that the township engineer will be named the floodplain administrator in the draft (replacing the construction official). The draft will be submitted to NJDEP for review; the council anticipates final adoption after state review, tentatively in October 2024.

Community context: During public comment there were no remarks on the ordinance, but residents later raised separate flooding complaints about Broad Avenue; Manager Sabatini said public works work is underway on neighboring streets and that Broad Avenue will be scheduled next.