Panel to Discuss Eight Bills Focused On Shore and Beach Protection as Part of Rebuilding Efforts
(TRENTON) — The Senate Environment and Energy Committee and the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee will hold a joint meeting Monday to hear testimony on eight measures that would ensure beach and shore protection during the planning and rebuilding of shore communities damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
Lawmakers will receive testimony on the following legislation:
- (S-2599/A-3889) Sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic) and Assemblywoman Spencer, Requires consideration of increased property value to dune construction in determining compensation provided for condemned beachfront property;
- (S-2598/A-3890) Sponsored by Senator Bob Smith (D-Middlesex), Senator Whelan, and Assemblyman Tim Eustace (D-Bergen/Passaic) Provides limited exemption from local land use restrictions to allow certain existing structures to be raised to new FEMA base flood elevations;
- (S-2601/A-3891) Sponsored by Senators Smith and Assemblywoman Spencer, Permits fifth and sixth class counties to assume control and responsibility for operation and maintenance of beaches bordering Atlantic Ocean;
- (S-2600/A-3892) Sponsored by Senator Whelan and Assemblywoman Spencer, Establishes criteria and requirements for shore protection project priority list and funding from Shore Protection Fund;
- (S-2602/A-3893) Sponsored by Senator Smith and Assemblywoman Spencer, Repeals law providing CAFRA permit exemption for certain grading or excavation of a dune;
- (S-2632/A-3898) Sponsored by Senator Smith, Senator Linda R. Greenstein, Assemblyman Ramos (D-Hudson) and Assemblywoman Spencer, Concerns financing of water conservation, storm shelter construction, and flood and hurricane resistance projects;
- (S-2633/A3899) Sponsored by Senator Smith, Senator Whelan and Assemblywomen Spencer, The “Emergency Disaster Relief Act of 2013”; appropriates $100 million; and
- (SR-100/AR-152) Sponsored by Senator Smith, Senator Bateman (D-Somerset, Mercer and Middlesex) and Assemblyman Ramos, Urges U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA to conduct assessment of damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.
The hearing is set for Monday, March 4th at 9:30 a.m. in Committee Room 4, 1st Floor, State House Annex.
The hearing will be streamed live over the Internet and can be listened to here.