Mitigation Project Assistance Contacts

NJ Office of Emergency Management  - Mitigation Unit
Contact: SFC Paul Miller, State Hazard Mitigation Officer
Telephone: (609) 963-6963, email: LPP4476@gw.njsp.org
Web Site: www.njsp.org/divorg/homelandsec/ems.html#mu

The NJ Office of Emergency Management, Preparedness/Mitigation Unit has the mission of enhancing state, county, and municipal risk reduction through the development and implementation of mitigation strategies. Hazard mitigation, by definition, is any sustained action that prevents or reduces the loss of property or human life from recurring hazards. The Mitigation Squad accomplishes this task by implementing and administering several grant based programs in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The primary programs administered are Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA), Pre-Disaster Mitigation & Pre-Disaster Mitigation Competitive (PDM & PDM-C), the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Repetitive Flood Claims (RFC) Program and the Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) Program.  FEMA fact sheet (pdf)

Counties and municipalities are made aware of these programs through letters announcing upcoming grants for which eligible communities in their jurisdiction may apply. Upon receiving completed applications, NJOEM will then narrow down the list of prospective applicants based on existing plans and potential project needs. The State Hazard Mitigation Team convenes to review all applications for funding. Approved project applications and planning grant information are forwarded to FEMA for review and approval. Upon notification of approval from FEMA, members of the Mitigation Squad notify appropriate municipalities of the award. NJOEM personnel conduct workshops and participate in public meetings with the goal of successfully completing the grant process.

NJDEP Office of Engineering and Construction
Contact: David Rosenblatt, Administrator
Telephone: (609) 292-9236, email: dave.rosenblatt@dep.state.nj.us
State Flood Mitigation Projects

The Office of Engineering & Construction is responsible for administering shore protection, dam restoration and flood control projects throughout New Jersey. Projects are funded through the “1992 Dam restoration and Inland Waters Project Loan Program”, the “Dam, Lake, Stream, Flood Control, Water Resources, and Wastewater Treatment Project Bond Act of 2003”, State Flood Control HR-6 Fund, and the Shore Protection Fund. Some of the large flood control and shore protection projects are cost-shared with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  The Bond Act of 2003 also includes funding for the State loan program for lake dredging and restoration projects and stream cleaning and de-snagging projects. The projects are individually managed through the Office's Bureau of Coastal Engineering and Bureau of Dam Safety & Flood Control. For more information about these programs go to www.nj.gov/dep/ec. For DEP Grant and Loan information go to www.nj.gov/dep/grantandloanprograms.

NJDEP Bureau of Dam Safety & Flood Control
Contact: John Moyle, P.E., Manager and NJ State NFIP Coordinator
Telephone: (609) 984-0859, email: John.Moyle@dep.state.nj.us
Web Site: www.nj.gov/dep/damsafety
The Bureau of Dam Safety & Flood Control, Community Assistance Program

The Flood Control Section coordinates with communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) with the goal of reducing threats to life and property through improved flood hazard information, enforcement of flood damage reduction regulations, and promotion of flood damage reduction activities including, and also exceeding, minimum NFIP standards. Flood Control Section staff contacts the communities, primarily through the local Floodplain Administrators, by conducting community assistance visits and community assistance contacts. Flood Control Section staff provides technical assistance through workshops and direct contact to communities, state agencies, residents and businesses, consulting firms, surveyors, developers and others on all matters related to the National Flood Insurance Program and floodplain management. Assistance is provided to those communities in need of NFIP ordinance updates. Mapping assistance is provided to evaluate community Flood Insurance Rate Maps and when needed assist the community throughout the process of revising and adopting amended maps, including the public participation process, to final publication. In the event of a Presidential Disaster Declaration Flood Control Section staff, under the direction of FEMA Region II, will survey damaged and repetitive losses, including the use of Substantial Damage Estimating Software, recover high water marks and assist FEMA and effected communities to develop mitigation strategies.

NJDEP Green Acres Program
Through the Local Assistance Program, Green Acres provides funding to county and municipal governments, and nonprofit organizations to acquire land for open space and parks. The acquisition of a repetitive flood loss property for conversion to open space may qualify for funding. To learn more about recent Green Acres assisted acquisition programs visit www.nj.gov/dep/greenacres or call (609) 984-0500.

NJDEP Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program (Clean Water Financing)
The Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program (EIFP) provides low-interest loans for the construction of a variety of water quality protection measures, including wastewater treatment facilities and stormwater and nonpoint source management facilities. The projects eligible for financing from the EIFP include wastewater collection and conveyance facilities, combined sewer overflow abatement facilities, rehabilitation of existing sewer systems, pump stations, stormwater basins, sewer maintenance equipment, lake restoration activities, landfill closure facilities (such as capping systems or leachate collection and treatment systems), new landfill facilities (such as double-composite liner systems and leachate collection and treatment systems), salt domes and others. The Financing Program also provides loans for activities such as open space land purchase and conservation, remedial action activities (including brownfields) and well sealing. For more information visit www.nj.gov/dep/grantandloanprograms.

NJDEP Division of Land Use Regulation
Flood mitigation projects, while beneficial, may be regulated under one of the statutes administered by the Division of Land Use Regulation.  For permit assistance dial the new Call Center – for Freshwater Wetlands or Highlands questions (609) 777-0454 and for Coastal Programs or Flood Hazard Area questions (609) 984-0162. For assistance regarding State permits for stream cleaning or home elevation projects visit www.njflood.org. Online Rules & Regulations - www.nj.gov/dep/rules.  Online Forms - For application forms, fee schedule, and checklists listing the requirements for a complete application go to www.state.nj.us/dep/landuse and print from our forms and checklists page.