The Department of Environmental Protection and officials in the Two Rivers region of northeastern Monmouth County are asking the public to identify building and facilities with their communities to be part of focused flood-resiliency planning efforts. 

The project, entitled Two Rivers, One Future, provides the opportunity for the public to use an online mapping website and social media to have a role in deciding future flood protection strategies for their communities. The DEP will evaluate the project with plans to expand it to other parts of New Jersey. 

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"This project builds on our ongoing resiliency efforts and is intended to help the public to better understand flood risks while engaging them in the effort to protect their communities," said Ginger Kopkash, DEP's Assistant Commissioner for Land Use. "The DEP and its partners will be able to use information from this effort to develop strategies focused on protecting these important places."

The Two Rivers region, located in northeastern Monmouth County around the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers, encompasses 15 municipalities, an area that is vulnerable to coastal flooding.

East Rutherford Municipal Building (Flickr User Jamie Sanford)
East Rutherford Municipal Building (Flickr User Jamie Sanford)
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As part of the campaign, the community is being asked to identify places including public buildings, police and fire stations, municipal buildings, hospitals or urgent care centers, schools, important businesses, and popular gathering spots. The DEP will conduct extensive outreach in Two Rivers communities this month to promote the campaign.

There are three different ways to report locations:

- Go to TwoRiversOneFuture.nj.gov to drop pins at locations. Then in the comments, describe why the place is your favorite.

- Tweet photos, websites, names or locations of the places that matter most, along with a reason why, and use the hashtags #MapWhatMatters and #TwoRiversOneFuture. The hashtags can also be used on Instagram.

- Visit the Two Rivers, One Future #MapWhatMatters booth at a number of public festivals, markets and locations throughout the region this month. A schedule is available here.

The Two Rivers, One Future campaign is the latest component of a three year New Jersey Fostering Regional Adaption through Municipal Economic Scenarios (NJ FRAMES) Project, which will use resiliency planning to help the Two Rivers Council of Mayors region prepare for and respond to coastal hazards and flooding risks.

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