DEP Commissioner announced that the Department is moving forward with proposing rules relating to inland flood areas. Earlier this year, DEP had prepared to issue new flood area rules on an “Emergency” basis. The rule concepts put forward by DEP would dramatically expand areas identified as Flood Hazard Areas, and further limit activities in those areas. After significant uproar from municipalities, counties, other state agencies and the development community, the “Emergency Rule” concept was pulled back.
Now, with limited one week notice, DEP has scheduled two “engagement sessions” on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 from 10 am to 11:30 am and on Thursday, October 20, 2022 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. The format of the session is apparently a “webinar” with some opportunity for Q&A. DEP has not disclosed a schedule for any “stakeholder” sessions or meetings with the regulated community. DEP has yet to identify when a formal rule proposal will be published.
DEP’s announcement regarding the Inland Flood Protection Rule can be found here.
Information on registration for the engagement sessions can be found here.
We will provide additional updates on this blog as additional information becomes available.