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Restoration Projects on Blue Acres Land

Once a property is preserved through Blue Acres, a new chapter begins for the transformed open space. After structures are removed from the property, the land becomes available for community enjoyment while also serving as a vital flood storage area. Although the land remains under state ownership through Blue Acres, the municipality can enhance the open space based on community goals and needs, transforming flood-prone areas into valuable community spaces. Enhancements might include increasing flood storage through green infrastructure, attracting wildlife with native plantings, or installing walking trails and other passive recreation amenities.

Please note that the municipality must coordinate and obtain necessary approval from the Office of Transactions and Public Land Administration using the Request for Use of NJDEP Property form, as well as any relevant permits from other DEP programs, for any use of Blue Acres lands.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space height=”72px”][vc_column_text css=””]

Explore Blue Acres Land Resources

[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Identify Blue Acres lands in your community” color=”blue” size=”lg” align=”center” css=”” button_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Frutgers.maps.arcgis.com%2Fapps%2Finstant%2Fmedia%2Findex.html%3Fappid%3D4cb440d606bc4bcbaa4fcf2924addc8c%26center%3D-74.2409%3B40.891%26level%3D17|target:_blank”][vc_btn title=”Request use of DEP property for municipal projects” color=”blue” size=”lg” align=”center” css=”” button_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeptest.nj.gov%2Fotpla%2Frequests-for-use-of-njdep-property%2F|target:_blank”][vc_btn title=”Buyout and floodplain restoration resources” color=”blue” size=”lg” align=”center” css=”” button_block=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeptest.nj.gov%2Fblueacres%2Fresources%2F|target:_blank”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”42px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html css=””]JTNDc3R5bGUlM0UlMEQlMEEuY2VudGVyZWQtaGVhZGluZyUyMCU3QiUwRCUwQSUyMCUyMGRpc3BsYXklM0ElMjBmbGV4JTNCJTBEJTBBJTIwJTIwYWxpZ24taXRlbXMlM0ElMjBjZW50ZXIlM0IlMEQlMEElMjAlMjB0ZXh0LWFsaWduJTNBJTIwY2VudGVyJTNCJTBEJTBBJTIwJTIwbWFyZ2luJTNBJTIwMnJlbSUyMDAlM0IlMEQlMEElMjAlMjBmb250LXNpemUlM0ElMjAxLjVyZW0lM0IlMjAlMkYlMkElMjBBZGp1c3QlMjBmb250JTIwc2l6ZSUyMGhlcmUlMjAlMkElMkYlMEQlMEElMjAlMjBmb250LXdlaWdodCUzQSUyMDYwMCUzQiUwRCUwQSUyMCUyMGNvbG9yJTNBJTIwJTIzMzMzJTNCJTBEJTBBJTdEJTBEJTBBJTBEJTBBLmNlbnRlcmVkLWhlYWRpbmclM0ElM0FiZWZvcmUlMkMlMEQlMEEuY2VudGVyZWQtaGVhZGluZyUzQSUzQWFmdGVyJTIwJTdCJTBEJTBBJTIwJTIwY29udGVudCUzQSUyMCUyMiUyMiUzQiUwRCUwQSUyMCUyMGZsZXglM0ElMjAxJTNCJTBEJTBBJTIwJTIwYm9yZGVyLWJvdHRvbSUzQSUyMDNweCUyMHNvbGlkJTIwJTIzMjQ5N2QwJTNCJTIwJTJGJTJBJTIwQ2hhbmdlJTIwdGhpcyUyMHRvJTIweW91ciUyMHByZWZlcnJlZCUyMGxpbmUlMjBjb2xvciUyMCUyQSUyRiUwRCUwQSUyMCUyMG1hcmdpbiUzQSUyMDAlMjAxcmVtJTNCJTBEJTBBJTdEJTBEJTBBJTNDJTJGc3R5bGUlM0UlMEQlMEElMEQlMEElM0NkaXYlMjBjbGFzcyUzRCUyMmNlbnRlcmVkLWhlYWRpbmclMjIlM0UlMEQlMEFFeGlzdGluZyUyMFJlc3RvcmF0aW9uJTIwU2l0ZXMlMEQlMEElM0MlMkZkaXYlM0U=[/vc_raw_html][vc_tta_accordion color=”blue” spacing=”5″ gap=”5″ active_section=”” collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Woodbridge Township” tab_id=”woodbridge-township”][vc_column_text css=””]Woodbridge Township, home to over 100,000 residents, is divided by the Woodbridge River, Heards Brook, and bordered by the Arthur Kill—a geography that places many neighborhoods at high risk of flooding. One such neighborhood, Watson-Crampton, experienced severe flooding during Superstorm Sandy in October 2012, when stormwaters inundated homes and cut off access to the area. In response, Woodbridge has taken a proactive approach to reduce future flood risk and support long-term community resilience. 

Map of NJDEP Blue Acres Buyout Program - Watson Crampton Neighborhood, Woodbridge NJ comparing 2012 and 2021. Homes that once stood in 2012 are removed in 2021. Concept Plan for Watson Crampton Neighborhood Plan (2015) for Woodbridge Township featuring restoration areas and nature trails

If your computer does not load these images correctly, click to view them in high-resolution. 

Through the DEP’s Blue Acres Program, more than 200 properties in flood-prone areas of Woodbridge have been purchased and cleared, creating opportunities for floodplain restoration and public space development. In partnership with Rutgers University and other technical experts, and with funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Coastal Resilience Fund, the township has launched a multi-phase restoration effort focused on both ecological recovery and community benefit. 

Restoration Highlights

  • 11 acres of native forest and 5 acres of meadow restored on former residential lots 
  • A public walking and biking trail now connects the Watson-Crampton neighborhood to the Woodbridge train station 
  • Interpretive signage installed to educate visitors about floodplain ecology and climate resilience 
  • Invasive species removed and native vegetation planted to support pollinators and improve stormwater absorption 

In neighborhoods where Blue Acres properties are neighbored by occupied homes, Woodbridge is implementing “pocket park” solutions—small-scale green spaces such as pollinator gardens, rain gardens, and passive play areas that enhance livability while maintaining floodplain function. 

Why It Matters 

By replacing impervious surfaces with restored green space, the Woodbridge Blue Acres restoration project is: 

  • Reducing stormwater runoff and flood risk 
  • Improving habitat for native species 
  • Creating safe, accessible public amenities 
  • Demonstrating a scalable model for climate adaptation 

This project exemplifies how Blue Acres buyouts can be leveraged not just for risk reduction, but for transformative community renewal. As climate-driven storms become more frequent and severe, Woodbridge’s approach offers a blueprint for other municipalities seeking to turn vulnerable land into lasting assets. 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”City of Linden” tab_id=”city-of-linden”][vc_column_text css=””]Linden, a city of over 40,000, lies at the meeting point of the Arthur Kill and Rahway River. While these waterways support the city’s economy, the combination of tidal surge and stormwater runoff can leave the City’s infrastructure and residents open to significant flooding. Flood insurance claim records for Linden residents date back to the 1970s, with major events including Hurricane Irene (2011), Superstorm Sandy (2012), Hurricane Ida (2021), and the unnamed storm event in July 2025.  

During Hurricane Sandy, a 15-foot storm surge overtook Linden’s Tremley Point neighborhood, severely damaging more than a dozen homes and causing an estimated $3 million in damages. In response, the expanded Blue Acres program purchased 22 properties in Tremley Point, securing nearly 3 acres for floodplain restoration. In 2014, Rutgers School of Engineering and the City of Linden received $2.7 million for floodplain restoration on Blue Acres-owned lots.  

Blue Acres Proposed Design Plan for Tremley Point neighborhood restoration

With financial and technical support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Princeton Hydro, the New Jersey Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership, Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery, and Enviroscapes, the Tremley Point floodplain restoration project (completed in late 2019) has provided myriad environmental and community benefits. The restoration of 2 acres of native coastal forest, 0.6 acres of native meadow, and 0.5 acres of natural floodplain have resulted in an estimated stormwater runoff reduction of 4.1 million gallons (nearly 45%), reducing community vulnerability to flooding. In addition to providing natural flood storage, the restored ecosystem provides valuable habitat for native species, including pollinators, and an unpaved pervious walking trail and connecting several “pocket parks” provides recreation opportunities for the community without impeding the flow of stormwater runoff.  

The Tremley Point floodplain restoration serves as a blueprint for future Blue Acres land use projects. By replacing impermeable surfaces with green space, this restoration project has provided the community with a public asset and increased flood resilience.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Money Island, Downe Township” tab_id=”1773858718336-5f27c7e2-8e24″][vc_column_text css=””]The Money Island Shoreline Restoration Project spans 1,200 linear feet along Nantuxent Creek in Money Island, Downe Township, Cumberland County. NJDEP Superstorm Sandy Blue Acres Program purchased and demolished flood damaged homes from willing sellers along the shoreline and restored the beach to provide critical habitat for horseshoe crabs, migratory shorebirds, and other marine life. Initial sand for the beach restoration came from the beneficial reuse dredging of the Nantuxent Creek state navigation channel, facilitated by the NJ Department of Transportation Office of Maritime Resources, with the remaining sand trucked in from an inland quarry to complete the beach restoration template. Nearshore rock breakwater reefs were installed to reduce wave energy and minimize beach erosion. 

Funding was provided by the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the acquisition, demolition, and removal of structures.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3994″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]Project Partners 

NJDEP Office of Coastal Engineering 

South State, Inc. 

Stockton University Coastal Research Center 

ACT Engineers 

Dr. Richard Weggel, Drexel University 

Restoration Highlights 

  • Removed concrete rubble and debris that previously lined the shoreline 
  • Restored 1,200 linear feet of shoreline by widening the beach and creating a dune 
  • Planted dune vegetation and installed dune fencing 
  • Constructed terminal steel sheet pile wingwall to contain sand on the beach 
  • Installed five rock breakwater reefs to reduce wave energy and minimize beach erosion 

Why It Matters 

Delaware Bay is the epicenter of Atlantic horseshoe crab spawning and migratory shorebirds rely on those horseshoe crab eggs to sustain their journey to the Arctic. This project area was identified as critical habitat for spawning horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds, including the federally listed threatened Red Knot. Prior to this project the shoreline was covered in concrete rubble, a tactic used by previous homeowners to combat erosion. The debris not only created poor spawning conditions for horseshoe crabs, but also left many trapped between the debris crevices. Dredged sand from the Nantuxent Creek and additional sand from an inland quarry were used to restore the shoreline, enhance conditions for horseshoe crab spawning, and improve both the ecological function and resilience of this shoreline. Additionally, the breakwaters will reduce wave energy, provide calmer conditions for horseshoe crab spawning, increase foraging opportunities for migratory shorebirds, and lengthen the residence time of the sand. 

Upon completion, the restored beach was added to the NJ Fish & Wildlife Nantuxent Wildlife Management Area. Designated walkways were created across the dune to provide public access to the beach. Bald eagles, Ospreys, migratory shorebirds, and horseshoe crabs can be encountered on your visit. [/vc_column_text][vc_images_carousel images=”4001,3997,3998,3999,4000,4003,4002″ img_size=”full” slides_per_view=”7″ autoplay=”yes” wrap=”yes” css=””][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][vc_column_text css=””]

Do you have existing projects on Blue Acres lands in your community? We’d love to feature them! Reach out to blueacres@deptest.nj.gov to share more information. 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_raw_html css=””]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_tta_accordion color=”blue” spacing=”5″ gap=”5″ active_section=”” collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Cranford Township (Union County)” tab_id=”cranford-township-union-county”][vc_column_text css=””]Blue Acres buyouts are underway in the Township of Cranford with funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program with funds set aside for post-buyout restoration activities.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Sign up for Cranford-specific restoration updates and opportunities” color=”primary” align=”center” css_animation=”appear” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fforms.office.com%2Fg%2FzhiAgxEgqp”][vc_column_text css=””]Timeline:

  • To be announced: Opportunities to get involved with post-buyout land use.
  • January 27, 2025: Blue Acres hosted a community meeting in partnership with the NRCS EWP, Township of Cranford, and the County of Union to inform local residents of flood mitigation projects taking place, such as buyouts, and to kickstart conversations regarding post-buyout land use. View the Blue Acres presentation.
  • November 12, 2025: Blue Acres hosted a community visioning session, as a follow up to the January meeting, at the Cranford Community Center and encouraged residents to share their ideas and priorities on how they would like to see post-buyout public open space used within the Orchard Brook community. View the Blue Acres presentation.

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3706″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank” css=””][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”East Hanover Township (Morris County)” tab_id=”east-hanover-township-morris-county”][vc_column_text css=””]Blue Acres buyouts are underway in the Township of East Hanover with funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program with funds set aside for post-buyout restoration activities.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Sign up for East Hanover-specific restoration updates” color=”primary” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fforms.cloud.microsoft%2Fg%2F4iSgvi0dh8|target:_blank”][vc_column_text css=””]Timeline:

  • March 26, 2026: Blue Acres, in partnership with the NRCS EWP and Township of East Hanover hosted a community engagement meeting at the Town Hall to share information about voluntary flood buyouts that are taking place on Brentwood Drive near the Black Brook Tributary to improve local flood resilience. This meeting also served as a community visioning session — residents were encouraged to share their ideas and priorities on how they would like to see post-buyout public open space used on Brentwood Drive. View the Blue Acres presentation.

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4024″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” css=””][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”South Plainfield Borough (Middlesex County)” tab_id=”south-plainfield-borough-middlesex-county”][vc_column_text css=””]More information forthcoming.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”New Milford (Bergen County)” tab_id=”new-milford-bergen-county”][vc_column_text css=””]More information forthcoming.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Pleasantville City (Atlantic County)” tab_id=”pleasantville-city-atlantic-county”][vc_column_text css=””]More information forthcoming.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”52px”][vc_column_text css_animation=”appear” css=””]

Do you have a vision for Blue Acres lands? Let Blue Acres know!
Contact us to share your thoughts.
Please include the name of the municipality where the sites are located and “restoration” in the subject line.

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