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O Enviros laud new rules proposal n Aug. 6 ANJEC joined the NJ Sierra Club, the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, The Watershed Institute, local first responders, and more in Asbury Park in support of the long-awaited NJ PACT REAL rule package being proposed in the New Jersey Register. The proposed land use rules will modernize regulations by requiring that all new development and redevelopment improve resilience to climate change. This crucial step will help NJ protect against rising sea levels, intense storms and flooding. With projections showing up to 5.1 feet of sea-level rise by 2100, these rules are vital for safeguarding homes, communities and coastal habitats. “Using scientific data to inform land use regulations and change the way and places we build to reflect the climate change impacts that are happening will make us more resilient,” said ANJEC Executive Director Jennifer Coffey at the event. “We need to become both stronger and smarter than future storms. We need the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to adopt these rules quickly.” The 90-day public comment period for the NJPACT REAL rules is currently open, and three public hearings are scheduled through September. The DEP has one year from the date of proposal publication to adopt the rules. Big thanks to the DEP and Governor Murphy for advancing this important initiative. From left: Chris Sotiro, Policy and Program Coordinator, NJ Future; Anjuli Ramos, Sierra Club Executive Director; Jennifer Coffey, ANJEC Executive Director; Ed Potonak, NJLCV Executive Director and Franklin Township (Somerset) Deputy Mayor; Lucia Osbourne, Delaware Bayshore Program Director, American Littoral Society; Bill Kibler, emergency responder and Raritan Headwaters Director of Policy; Miracle Brown, PPA intern; Richard Lawton, NJ Sustainable Business Council; Elliott Ruga, Policy and Communications Director, NJ Highlands Coalition; Executive Director Jim Waltman, Watershed Institute Credit Taylor McFarland Photography 10 ANJEC REPORT – Autumn 2024