Woodbridge outlines Blue Acres restorations and FEMA-backed flood-resilience work
June 29, 2026 | Colonia, Middlesex County, New Jersey
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Thomas Flynn, the township's environmental specialist, described Woodbridge's approach to flood resilience during a Division of Sustainability presentation, saying the town has worked with state and university partners to restore flood-prone lots acquired through New Jersey's Blue Acres program.
The presentation said the Blue Acres parcels—bought and transferred to state ownership after repetitive flood losses—are being regraded and planted with native species to improve drainage, ecological function and future flood tolerance. Flynn said the township retains maintenance responsibilities under agreements tied to the properties.
"By doing that, we save our residents over $100,000 a year," Flynn said, summarizing how the town's resilience and outreach work earns credits in FEMA's Community Rating System and reduces flood-insurance premiums for residents.
Carolyn Erlic, chief of staff and director of the Division of Sustainability, said the township is treating those acquisitions as an active restoration program rather than a passive retreat. The division is pursuing a grant, in partnership with the American Littoral Society, for a living-shoreline demonstration on Cliff Road intended to reduce erosion, enhance habitat and sequester 'blue carbon.'
Staff also described other resilience measures that collectively contributed to the town's Community Rating System standing: pollinator and habitat restorations, public outreach and new underpass flood monitors that send alerts to police when water levels rise. The monitors were installed at two underpasses identified as recurrently vulnerable.
The presenters said the Blue Acres work and related projects are intended to both reduce risk to people and restore ecological value to parcels that are now in public hands. Next steps identified were pursuing the living-shoreline grant, continuing outreach to residents in flood-prone areas and maintaining the state-owned parcels under the existing maintenance agreements.
The presentation said the Blue Acres parcels—bought and transferred to state ownership after repetitive flood losses—are being regraded and planted with native species to improve drainage, ecological function and future flood tolerance. Flynn said the township retains maintenance responsibilities under agreements tied to the properties.
"By doing that, we save our residents over $100,000 a year," Flynn said, summarizing how the town's resilience and outreach work earns credits in FEMA's Community Rating System and reduces flood-insurance premiums for residents.
Carolyn Erlic, chief of staff and director of the Division of Sustainability, said the township is treating those acquisitions as an active restoration program rather than a passive retreat. The division is pursuing a grant, in partnership with the American Littoral Society, for a living-shoreline demonstration on Cliff Road intended to reduce erosion, enhance habitat and sequester 'blue carbon.'
Staff also described other resilience measures that collectively contributed to the town's Community Rating System standing: pollinator and habitat restorations, public outreach and new underpass flood monitors that send alerts to police when water levels rise. The monitors were installed at two underpasses identified as recurrently vulnerable.
The presenters said the Blue Acres work and related projects are intended to both reduce risk to people and restore ecological value to parcels that are now in public hands. Next steps identified were pursuing the living-shoreline grant, continuing outreach to residents in flood-prone areas and maintaining the state-owned parcels under the existing maintenance agreements.
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