Bill Text: NJ A2282 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires DEP to study State's response to Superstorm Sandy and preparedness for future storm events.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-27 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee [A2282 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-A2282-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JOHN ARMATO
District 2 (Atlantic)
Assemblyman VINCENT MAZZEO
District 2 (Atlantic)
SYNOPSIS
Requires DEP to study State's response to Superstorm Sandy and preparedness for future storm events.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the State's response to Superstorm Sandy and preparedness for future storm events.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. No later than one year after the date of enactment of this act, the Department of Environmental Protection shall conduct an analysis and submit a written report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature concerning the State's response to the major storm that made landfall in New Jersey on October 29, 2012, commonly referred to as "Superstorm Sandy," and the State's preparedness for future storm events.
b. In conducting the analysis required by this section, the Department of Environmental Protection shall:
(1) review and summarize the actions taken by the State to recover from Superstorm Sandy, including the status of: all shore protection and dune construction projects; the Superstorm Sandy Blue Acres Buyout Program; the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Elevation Program; and any other efforts, including any regulatory changes, taken by the State to mitigate the effects of future storms, fortify water and wastewater infrastructure, and rebuild safer, more resilient communities;
(2) consult with the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Transportation, and the State Office of Emergency Management in the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety regarding actions taken and assistance programs established by those agencies in response to Superstorm Sandy, and actions taken to prepare the State for future storm events; and
(3) consult with Rutgers, The State University and any other public and private entities in the State that have conducted studies concerning the State's recovery from Superstorm Sandy.
c. The report required by this section shall: (1) summarize the review and analysis conducted pursuant to this section; (2) discuss and quantify the benefits and costs associated with hazard mitigation in the State; (3) evaluate the processes for individuals and local governments to obtain governmental assistance, and provide recommendations for standards and safeguards for the treatment of individuals and local governments seeking financial assistance in future storm events; (4) include recommendations for legislative and administrative changes to assist the State in mitigating and responding to future storm events; and (5) include any other information the Department of Environmental Protection deems necessary to assist the State to mitigate the effects of future storms, fortify water and wastewater infrastructure, and rebuild safer, more resilient communities.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to conduct an analysis and submit a written report to the Governor and the Legislature concerning the State's response to the major storm that made landfall in New Jersey on October 29, 2012, commonly referred to as "Superstorm Sandy," and the State's preparedness for future storm events. The DEP is directed to review and summarize the actions taken by the State to recover from Superstorm Sandy, including the status of: all shore protection and dune construction projects; the Superstorm Sandy Blue Acres Buyout Program; the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Elevation Program; and any other efforts, including any regulatory changes, taken by the State to mitigate the effects of future storms, fortify water and wastewater infrastructure, and rebuild safer, more resilient communities. The bill directs the DEP to consult with the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Transportation, and the State Office of Emergency Management in the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety regarding actions taken and assistance programs established by those agencies in response to Superstorm Sandy and actions taken to prepare the State for future storm events. The bill also directs the DEP to consult with Rutgers, The State University and any other public and private entities in the State that have conducted studies concerning the State's recovery from Superstorm Sandy.
The report required by the bill, to be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature within one year after the bill is enacted into law, is to: (1) summarize the review and analysis of the State's response to Superstorm Sandy; (2) discuss and quantify the benefits and costs associated with hazard mitigation in the State; (3) evaluate the processes for individuals and local governments to obtain governmental assistance, and provide recommendations for standards and safeguards for the treatment of individuals and local governments seeking financial assistance in future storm events; (4) include recommendations for legislative and administrative changes to assist the State in mitigating and responding to future storm events; and (5) include any other information the DEP deems necessary to mitigate the effects of future storms, fortify water and wastewater infrastructure, and rebuild safer, more resilient communities.
In October 2012, the post-tropical storm commonly referred to as "Superstorm Sandy" struck New Jersey, producing unprecedented severe weather conditions, including enormous storm surges, devastating wind, and widespread flooding, crippling entire communities across New Jersey, and inflicting incalculable harm to the economy of the State. The storm damaged or destroyed more than 72,000 homes and businesses in the State, drove more than a quarter-million State residents to seek governmental assistance, and resulted in more than $36 billion in damage and recovery needs. In addition, due to the time taken to distribute recovery aid following Superstorm Sandy, many of those affected by the storm faced the harsh reality of foreclosure on their home mortgages.
Recognizing that there are numerous challenges associated with the efficient and expedient distribution of federal recovery resources following a disaster of the scale of Superstorm Sandy, it is appropriate for the State to look back on the actions taken in the aftermath of the storm and evaluate the processes for individuals and communities to obtain governmental assistance and expand upon standards and safeguards for the treatment of individuals and communities seeking financial assistance to recover from future storm events. Given the severity of the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy and the magnitude of the resources necessary for the recovery process, there is a need to ensure that the State is better prepared to face future challenges as similar storms are predicted to occur due to climate change and changing weather patterns.
