Cape May County Officials Oppose NJPACT/REAL Rules
Cape May County and its 16 municipalities are standing together to voice their opposition to the proposed NJPACT/REAL Rules, which they argue could have significant negative impacts on the region’s economy, housing, and overall development.
In response to these concerns, county officials will host a press conference on Friday, September 6th at 11:15 a.m. outside the Cape May County Administration Building.
The proposed NJPACT/REAL (Protect Against Climate Threats/Resilient Environments and Landscapes) rules, backed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), aim to address environmental challenges by expanding flood hazard zones, imposing stricter building regulations, and introducing costly compliance measures.
However, local officials claim these rules are based on what they call “bad science” and fear that they will have disastrous consequences for residents, especially those in low- and moderate-income households.
Concerns from Cape May County
At the heart of the opposition is the concern that these regulations will harm the county’s tourism industry, which generated $7.7 billion in visitor spending in 2023 alone and contributes over $635 million in state tax revenue annually.
Many families who work in the tourism sector are already facing challenges with affordable housing, and officials argue that these new rules would further exacerbate the problem.
By limiting new construction and increasing the costs of building homes and businesses, these regulations could drive housing prices even higher.
In addition to housing concerns, the rules would raise regulatory standards for construction projects, increase flood hazard zones, and impose unfeasible compliance measures for historic structures.
Officials also point out that the regulations would complicate ADA accessibility and could disrupt development projects, including public infrastructure and affordable housing initiatives.
Moreover, there is concern that offshore wind developers could bypass key environmental protections by making monetary contributions to the state’s shellfish habitat mitigation fund in exchange for trenching utility infrastructure through sensitive areas.
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Cape May County’s Unified Response
Cape May County and all 16 municipalities have adopted resolutions opposing the NJPACT/REAL rules, emphasizing the lack of local input in these critical decisions.
They argue that state and local elected officials, who represent the best interests of the people, have been overridden by executive orders from the NJDEP. County officials believe that these decisions, which affect homes, jobs, and the future of the region, should not be made without their involvement.
The press conference on September 6th will serve as a platform to communicate the county’s unified stance and call for greater consideration of the economic and social impacts the regulations would impose on Cape May County residents.
Press Conference and Live Stream Information
The press conference will be held at 11:15 a.m. on Friday, September 6th, outside the Cape May County Administration Building, located at 4 Moore Road, Cape May Court House, NJ. Members of the press and the public are encouraged to attend to learn more about the county’s position and the potential impacts of the NJPACT/REAL rules.
For those unable to attend in person, the press conference will also be live-streamed on the county’s official Facebook page: Cape May County Government.
Copies of the resolutions adopted by the county and municipalities can be accessed on the Cape May County official website.