The rebuilt Jersey Shore is touted as being more resilient to Sandy-size disasters, using updated construction methods and tougher codes. But what about the next generation of oceanside dwellers? Environmental advocates in the Sierra Club sound a warning bell about rising tides tonight at the Ocean County Administration Building in Toms River.

New York And New Jersey Continue To Deal With Aftermath Of Hurricane Sandy
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The town hall-type meeting takes place in the Skywalk Cafeteria. New Jersey Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel discusses state policy. Rutgers Professor Dr. Richard Lathrop, Jr., presents data regarding sea level rise and flood maps. Also on the dais is Steve Mars, Senior Biologist of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Tittel contends that New Jersey policies for development, climate change and ecologically sensitive zones ignore the possibility of an increase of one to three feet in sea levels by 2050.

"Hurricane Sandy was supposed to be a 1 in 100 year storm, but now it is predicted major storms will increase 1 in every 25 years because of sea level rise," Tittel said in a prepared statement. "Our coast will see an increase in sea level rise by 1 ft. by 2050, but really that’s 1-3 ft. with ebb and flow. We need to action to reduce our impact on climate change to mitigate flooding and protect our homes and communities."

Tittle accuses the Christie Administration of weakening standards that apply to water quality management, the Energy Master Plan (EMP), Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) and flood hazard rules, and claims that the results place flood-prone areas at greater risk than before the Superstorm.

He's inviting everyone who calls the shore home to add their ideas, starting at 7:00 PM.

 

 

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