Coastal flood rules defy common sense, bipartisan officials say

By: Joanna Gagis, Senior Correspondent

Outlets: NJ Spotlight

Published: March 20, 2026

Words: 1,338

Last Updated: 1 day, 7 hours ago

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The state’s Resilient Environments and Landscapes, or REAL, rules are designed to protect coastal communities from sea level rise and major flooding. The rules, adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection on the final day of Gov. Phil Murphy’s term, set new flood zone development standards. One mandates that new and rehabilitated buildings be built four feet higher than flood projections set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

However, Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) introduced …

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