Coastal Vulnerability Assessment Project Report Lavallette ...
Transcript of Coastal Vulnerability Assessment Project Report Lavallette ...
Coastal Vulnerability Assessment
Project Report
Lavallette Borough
Ocean County New Jersey
Work Supporting the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Coastal Zone Management Program
Stacy A. Krause, PP/AICP
Environmental Analysis and Communications Group
Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
September 2016
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*This project included two Ocean County municipalities: Lacey Township and Lavallette Borough. This
project report is for Lavallette Borough only, with Lacey Township information included to illustrate inter-
municipal and county-wide resilience actions in the Regional Resilience Action Plan (RRAP) section of the
report only on pages 21-24.
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Contents Page Number Introduction to Asset Vulnerability Assessments and Methodology…...................................................................4
Identifying Assets as part of the GTR Process………………………………………………………………….4-5
Future Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge Projections……………………………………………………………5-6
Lavallette Borough Municipal Overview……………………………………………………………...………..7-8
Lavallette Borough Geospatial Inventory…………………………………………………………………….…8-9
Lavallette Borough Critical Community Assets……………………………………………...………………..9-20
Addressing Vulnerability through Local Land Use and Regional Actions………………………………..…21-24
Communicating to the Public about Vulnerable Assets – Project Products…………………………….….. .25-26
Appendix……………………………………………………………………………………………......……27-45
Appendix A: Lavallette Borough Detailed Table of Community Assets and Vulnerability…………27-37
Appendix B: Lavallette Borough Detaille Planning Document Resilience Review…………………38-45
List of Tables, Figures, and Maps………………………………………………………………....……………..46
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Introduction to an Asset Vulnerability Assessments and Methodology NOAA’s Office of Coastal Management states that New Jersey’s coastal communities face increasing threats
from shallow coastal flooding, storms such as hurricanes and nor’easters, shoreline erosion, and sea level rise. 1
As sea levels rise and threats of coastal flooding increase, it is important that local decision-makers plan for the
future of the community.
To that end, a Coastal Vulnerability Assessment is intended as a process to catalogue the critical places and
infrastructure along with the associated vulnerability to climate impacts. These items are broken down into four
categories:
A. Community Resource Assets: local government and emergency response buildings, important
commercial sites (storm-related retail and/or major employers) , churches, libraries, shelters, schools
B. Critical Facilities and Infrastructure Assets: utilities and evacuation routes
C. Natural Areas and Ecosystems Assets: beaches, bayfronts, parks, forests, wetlands/critical habitat,
waterbodies
D. Vulnerable Sites and Populations: identifiable clusters of senior citizens (senior housing), low income
populations (affordable housing sites or census tracks with a large proportion of either individuals or
families living in poverty as defined by the US Census Bureau), those with limited English proficiency
(as defined by the US Census Bureau), active listed contaminated sites
Detailed tables of all identified assets and associated vulnerabilities for both of the study areas can be found in Appendix
A.
To complete a Coastal Vulnerability Assessment, local planning officials and local representatives work
together to build a matrix identifying community assets in each of the four categories. Asset locations are then
mapped along with future projections of storm surge and sea level rise. Next, a likely consequence of what
related flood risks might mean to the community for each asset it listed. The data in the report and mapping are
not guarantees of exposure, impact, or damage that will occur, but represent a baseline to jumpstart local
planning to avoid possible future impacts and assist in the capital planning/expenditure process moving
forward.
The short term goal of this process is to assist the local representatives in understanding the climate data and
information through the facilitated process of identifying assets and illustrating the potential exposure to future
climate scenarios. The long term goal of the process is the for the community to incorporate this data and
information into their local land use planning decisions, zoning ordinances, and capital investments – with the
overarching vision being that future climate change projections become an integral part of land use policy in
coastal communities.
Identifying Assets as part of the GTR Process The objective of this project was to provide direct technical, GIS, resiliency planning assistance to New Jersey
coastal communities as a means to develop a standard of planning practice for municipal resilience in New
1 https://www.coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/stories/delawarebay.html
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Jersey based on tools and processes developed by the NJ Coastal Management Program and Rutgers University.
One of municipalities chosen was Lavallette Borough of Ocean County.
Through the Coastal Zone Management Program in New Jersey, some communities perform an assessment of
their community’s assets separate of the Getting to Resilience (GTR) Process2, some communities have
performed it alongside the GTR Process (as Lavallette has), while other coastal communities in New Jersey
have not performed either processes.
This project report is an example of the dual process help in two communities. Critical Assets were listed and
mapped by Rutgers staff prior to the first meeting with municipal officials. The asset inventory was then
finalized during the first meeting along with local officials who became the designated stakeholder group for
both the asset identification as well as the GTR Process. Members of the stakeholder group are listed are
below:
Donnelly Amico, Deputy Municipal Clerk
Joyce Deutsch, Planning Board Secretary
Colin Grant, Chief of Police/OEM Coordinator
Ken Kiseli, Construction Official
Michael ODonnell, Borough Engineer
Chris Parlow, Municipal Administrator/Clerk
Gary Royer, Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer
Bill Zalinski, First Aid
It is very clear that New Jersey’s coastal communities have been experiencing meeting fatigue since Superstom
Sandy, and because of this, as the asset matrix and mapping were updated/completed, it was placed on an online
dropbox site for review by the stakeholder groups at any time and comments were accepted throughout the
project process.
Future Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge Projections According to the USEPA, climate change will impact coastal areas
via sea level rise, changes in the frequency and intensity of storms,
increases in precipitation, and warmer ocean temperatures. This
report focuses on projected future sea level rise and storm surge
inundation. According to Rutgers University’s 2013 State of the
Climate Report3 using sea level rise projections from Miller et al.4,
scientists anticipate the arrival of one foot of sea level rise before
2050. As sea level rise is expected to accelerate this century, three
feet of sea level rise is very likely before 2100. In the table below,
2 http://www.prepareyourcommunitynj.org/ 3 State of the Climate: New Jersey 203. Rutgers Climate Institute 4 NJ sea level rise projection ranges and best estimates. K.G. Miller, R.E. Kopp, B.P.Horton, J.V. Browning, and A.C. Kemp, 2013, A geological perspective on sea - level rise and its impacts along the U.S. mid - Atlantic coast. Earth’s Future 1: 3 - 18, doi:10.1002/2013EF000135
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the “low”, “high”, and “best” estimates for sea level rise projections for New Jersey for the years 2030, 2050
and 2100 are displayed. “Best” refers to a 50% likelihood of that level of sea level rise occurring.
Figure 1: Range of Sea Level Rise Estimates 5
This project analyzed sea level rise in one foot increments, or
1, 2 and 3 feet using publicly available spatial data
developed by NOAA.6 At the time this report was written,
Rutgers Climate Alliance’s Science Technical Advisory
Committee (STAP) was in the final stages of developing new
guidance on sea level rise and storm surge water levels and
these latest numbers were not used as part of this project.
Another way climate change will impact coastal
communities is with an increase in frequency and intensity of
storms.
Categories 1, 2 and 3 storm surge were mapped using the
Sea, Lake, and Overland Surge from Hurricanes (SLOSH)
data7 developed by the National Weather Service/NOAA to
estimate storm surge heights resulting from historical, hypothetical, or predicted hurricanes, taking into account
the atmospheric pressure, size, forward speed, and track data of storms.
According to the National Hurricane Center8, Category 1 storm characteristics include:
Sustained winds of 74-95 mph
Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters.
Large branches of trees will snap and shallow rooted trees may be toppled.
Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to
several days.
Category 2 storm characteristics:
Sustained winds of 96-110 mph
Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage.
Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads.
Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks.
Category 3 storm characteristics:
Sustained winds of 111-129
Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends.
5 Miller et al., 2013 6 https://coast.noaa.gov/slr/data/ 7http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/slosh.php 8 National Hurricane Center Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php
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Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads.
Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.
Municipal Overview Map 1. Lavallette Borough, NJ Basemap
The Borough of Lavallette is a coastal
community located on the Barnegat Peninsula in
Ocean County, NJ, which separates the
Barnegat Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The US
Census 2015 population estimates put the
population of Lavallette at 1,807. Interestingly,
of that, 347 are veterans, or nearly 20% of the
population. There are 3,117 housing units in the
Borough and a median household income of
$67,813, with 7.9% of individuals living below
the poverty level. The 2010 US Census lists the
median age for Lavallette as 60.3 and 21.9% of
households as someone 65 years of age or older
living alone. In terms of race, 96% of the
population is White alone, and 98% of the
population English speaking.
Lavallette Borough has a total land area of .81
square miles and three main zoning districts:
Business (22.47 acres), Downtown Business
(2.7 acres), and Residential (284.26 acres of 3
sub-zones permitting varying residential
intensity).
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Map 2. Lavallette Borough Development Intensity
Commercial sites are located primary along State Route
35/Grand Central Ave running north to south in the Borough.
The majority of the town consists of high density residential
and a smaller portion of medium density residential located
on West Pond Island at the southwest end of the Borough.
Lavallette Borough Geospatial Inventory The following maps were created for the Borough steering committee to review and provide any comments
prior to the start of the CVA/GTR process and remain available for municipal review on the project Dropbox
site:
Sea Level Rise of 1 Foot for 2050 and 3 Feet for 2100 (NOAA data using years and projected rise from
Rutgers Climate Report, 2013)
Categories 1-3 Storm Surge (NOAA SLOSH data) with the depths for each storm
Sandy Surge
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FEMA data)
Flood Depth of 1% Chance Annual Flood (FEMA data)
Impervious Cover (NJDEP LULC 2012 data update)
CVI (NJDEP)
*NFIP Repetitive and Severe Repetitive Loss data are already obtained and catalogued in-house by the
Borough and used for outreach purposes.
The following maps were created per the CVA process and extended the geospatial inventory in the Dropbox
folder:
Coastal Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) Critical Assets Map Series – each asset category mapped with sea
level rise 1-3 feet and storm surge depth projections for categories 1-3 storms.
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Community Resources
Critical Facilities and Infrastructure Systems
Natural Assets and Ecosystems
Other Vulnerable Pop. Or Areas (KCS, Mobile home parks, areas of low income/limited
English language proficiency) – Lavallette has limited KCS, none of the other categories
applied)
Lavallette Borough Critical Community Assets A table of Lavallette Borough’s detailed critical assets with their depth projections for storm surge and
likelihood of impact by projected sea level rise are included as Appendix Item A.
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Figure 2: All Critical Community Assets, Lavallette Borough
1. Bay Blvd
2. Bayfront Park
3. Contaminated Sites (3)
4. Beach Public Access Points
5. Business District
6. Chandler Ball Field
7. Designated lots for post-storm debris
8. Electric Substation
9. Faith Lutheran Church
10. Herbert St into Brick Township
11. Jacobson Park
12. Kelly’s Sea Bay Sunoco
13. Lavallette Hardware
14. Lavallette MUA
15. Lavallette School
16. Lavallette Yacht Club
17. Lifeguard Headquarters
18. Municipal Boat Slips
19. Municipal water infrastructure
20. Newark Ave Pocket Park
21. OCUA Facility
22. Police Department
23. Post Office
24. Public Beach
25. Rite Aid
26. Route 35 N and S
27. Route 37 into Toms River
28. Saint Pio Church
29. Station 69 Fire House
30. Telecomm Tower
31. Town Hall
32. Union Church
33. Upper Shores Library
34. Water Tower
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Map 3: All Critical Community Assets, Lavallette Borough
Community Resource Assets, Lavallette
Borough
The first set of critical assets identified were
Community Resources. In Lavallette, the 16
identified Community Resources include:
Municipal Operations: Town Hall, Pubic
Works, the Post Office, the Lifeguard
Headquarters, one school, and the Public
Library
Emergency Response: the Police
Department and Fire Department
Headquarters
1 Gas Station
The Business District encompassing all
storefronts along Route 35, running the entire
length of the town
3 churches
1 hardware store and 1 pharmacy,
considered storm-related retail
The Lavallette Yacht Club
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Map 4: Community Resources with
Future Projected Sea Level Rise 1-3 Feet
Future sea level rise of 1 foot is likely to
impact mainly the back bay area, where
no community asset resources are
located. Sea level rise of 2 feet will
begin to impact some of the roads in
town and therefore access to and from
some resources, but no resources
themselves. Sea level rise of 3 feet will
being to impact sites such as churches,
pharmacies, the gas station, emergency
response, and the municipal building.
Map 5: Community Resources and
Category 1 Storm Surge Inundation
A category 1 storm is likely to impact all
of the community resources with a depth
of up to 3 feet (aside from the lifeguard
headquarters, which is protected by
dunes on the eastern/ocean side).
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Critical Facilitates and Infrastructure Assets, Lavallette Borough
The second set of critical assets identified were Critical Facilities and Infrastructure. In Lavallette, the 11
identified Critical Facilities and Infrastructure include:
Utility-related infrastructure including a water tower, telecomm tower, an electrical substation, 4 drinking
water well, 3 water treatment sites, and one Ocean County Utilities Authority facility
Map 6: Community Resources and
Category 2 Storm Surge Inundation
A category 2 storm is likely to impact all
of the community resources including
the lifeguard headquarters, with up to 3
feet, 3-6 feet of storm surge closest to the
ocean beach, and 6-9 feet in the
remainder of the town to the bay.
Map 7: Community Resources and
Category 3 Storm Surge Inundation
A category 3 storm is likely to inundate
the Borough with over 9 feet of water,
except for the area running north to south
adjacent to the ocean beach dunes.
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Evacuation Routes, both state designated and those of local importance
Areas of storage for storm debris collection (1 asset consisting of several neighboring bayfront park areas)
Map 8: Critical Facilities and
Infrastructure with Future Projected Sea
Level Rise 1-3 Feet
Of the Critical Facilities and
Infrastructure, 4 are likely to be impacted
by 1 foot of projected sea level rise by
2050 and all are likely subject to a
certain degree of impact to 3 feet of
projected sea level rise by 2100.
Map 9: Critical Facilities and
Infrastructure and Category 1 Storm
Surge Inundation, Lavallette Borough
Category 1 storm surge is likely to
impact all of the Critical Facilities and
Infrastructure with anywhere from 0-3
feet.
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Map 10: Critical Facilities and
Infrastructure and Category 2 Storm
Surge Inundation, Lavallette Borough
A category 2 storm is likely to inundate
all of the critical facilities and
infrastructure with depths from 6-9 feet.
Map 11: Critical Facilities and
Infrastructure and Category 3 Storm
Surge Inundation, Lavallette Borough
A category 3 storm is likely to inundate
all of the critical facilities and
infrastructure with depths over 9 feet.
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Natural Areas and Ecosystems Assets, Lavallette Borough The third set of critical assets identified were Natural Areas and Ecosystems. Lavallette, the 7 identified Natural
Areas and Ecosystems include:
4 park areas
1 small area of municipally-owned boat slips
Public beach access locations at the street ends (1 asset consisting of 29 individual points along the ocean)
The beach
Map 12: Natural Areas and Ecosystems
with Future Projected Sea Level Rise 1-3
Feet, Lavallette Borough
Of 7 Natural Areas and Ecosystems, only
1 park and the public access locations are
not likely to be impacted by 1 foot of
projected sea level rise. Only the public
access points onto the beach at the street
ends are likely to be impacted by 3 feet
of projected sea level rise, as the
beachfront is currently protected by
dunes.
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Map 13: Natural Areas and Ecosystems
and Category 1 Storm Surge Inundation,
Lavallette Borough
Current modeling shows all of the
Natural Areas and Ecosystems Assets,
aside from the beach and public access
points being impacted to a certain degree
by category 1 storm surge, with depths of
0-3 feet.
Map 14: Natural Areas and Ecosystems
and Category 2 Storm Surge Inundation,
Lavallette Borough
All of the Natural Areas and Ecosystems
Assets, aside from the beach and public
access points being impacted to a certain
degree by category 2 storm surge, with
depths of 6-9 feet.
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Vulnerable Sites and Populations, Lavallette Borough The fourth set of critical assets identified were Vulnerable Sites and Populations. In Lavallette, the 2 identified
Vulnerable Sites and Populations include:
3 sites listed by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection as being active cases of contamination
A Borough-wide population with a median age of 60.3
Map 15: Natural Areas and Ecosystems
and Category 3 Storm Surge Inundation,
Lavallette Borough
All of the Natural Areas and Ecosystems
Assets, aside from the beach and public
access points being impacted to a certain
degree by category 2 storm surge, with
depths over 9 feet. The public access
points will likely see 0-3 feet of water.
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Map 16: Vulnerable Sites and
Populations with Future Projected Sea
Level Rise 1-3 Feet, Lavallette Borough
The northern most site listed as actively
contaminated will likely be impacted by
2 feet of sea level rise. At 3 feet of sea
level rise, the southernmost site may also
be impacted.
Map 17: Vulnerable Sites and
Populations and Category 1 Storm Surge
Inundation, Lavallette Borough
Category 1 storm surge is likely to
impact all 3 sites with depths of 0-3 feet.
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Map 18: Vulnerable Sites and
Populations and Category 2 Storm Surge
Inundation, Lavallette Borough
Category 2 storm surge will likely
impact all 3 of the sites with depths 6-9
feet.
Map 19: Vulnerable Sites and
Populations and Category 3 Storm Surge
Inundation, Lavallette Borough
Category 3 storm surge will likely
impact all 3 of the sites with depths of
over 9 feet.
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Addressing Vulnerability through Local Land Use and Regional Actions: A Regional
Resilience Action Plan (RRAP)
Local Planning Recommendations
As part of the Community Asset Assessment, a desktop assessment of gaps in resilience-related planning
documents and topics was performed. When deciding upon the best way to work this desktop review into the
GTR Report text, it was decided that too much of the desktop review overlaps with the municipal planning
document review already performed as a part of the GTR process. Therefore, it is not recommended that a
municipal planning document review be done in the future as part of a Coastal Vulnerability Assessment, but
remain imbedded as an integral part of the GTR process. Detailed tables of the planning document review can
be found as Appendix B.
Below is a table of the areas where both Lacey and Lavallette had similar gaps in planning documents and
procedures and could consider working together in the future to develop resilience-related planning policies and
documents:
Table 1: Local Planning Document Resilience Review for the 2 Communities
Planning Document Shared Gap Recommendation Model/Example Possible Associated CRS
Activity
Master Plan
(General)
Sea Level Rise and Storm
Surge Projection not included
Insert the data from this
report into the next
municipal master plan
reexam.
Somers Point, NJ 2015
Master Plan
Miami-Dade
Comprehensive Master
Plan
North Wildwood, NJ 2010
Master Plan
Activity 240 “Develop new
maps and data”
Circulation Element Lavallette has incorporated
Complete Streets design into
their roadways and Lacey has
a desire to do so. Currently,
no green infrastructure
techniques being used or
proposed for either
Incorporate green
infrastructure as an integral
part of circulation planning
to enhance stormwater
management throughout
areas with high amount of
impervious surfaces
Chicago Green Alleys
Program
City of Lancaster Green
Infrastructure Plan, 2011
Examples in Washington
state done by SvR Design
Company
Activity 310, 430, and 450
”Regulating development in
the floodplain and
watershed”
Activity 520 and 530
“Protecting flood-prone
buildings in place and
addressing repetitively
flooded properties”
Elevation Ordinance Green infrastructure on lots
with raised homes currently
not recommended by either
town
Adopt or build into an
existing development
ordinance to encouraging
the use permeable/non
paved surfaces on lots
where homes are and will be
raised.
Activity 310, 430, and 450
”Regulating development in
the floodplain and
watershed”
Floodplain
Management Plan
Both towns lack a FMP. Adopt a FMP Brick, NJ Flood Plain
Management Plan
Activity 240 “Develop new
maps and data”
Activity 310, 430, and 450
”Regulating development in
the floodplain and
watershed”
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Activity 402 and 510
“Protecting natural
floodplain functions”
Public Access Plan Lacey does not have a PAP
and Lavallette has the access
point data, but no plan.
Adopt a PAP incorporating
future climate scenario data
and its impact on access to
bay and beach location in
the future and also how
these areas may serve as
essential to stormwater
mitigation
Stone Harbor, NJ
Municipal Public Access
Plan
Activity 240 “Develop new
maps and data”
Activity 310, 430, and 450
”Regulating development in
the floodplain and
watershed”
Capital Improvement
Planning
Neither town considers future
storm or climate scenarios in
their capital planning.
Either adopt a CIP or
consider future climate
scenarios when drafting the
annual budget for capital
expenditure items that may
be impacted by future storm
surge or sea level rise.
City of Boynton Beach
Climate Action Plan
(Capital Planning)
Activity 240 “Develop new
maps and data”
Community Facilities Lacey does not have a CFP
and Lavallette’s element
states a need for Bayfront
recreation facility
improvements.
Create/update the elements
to include future storm
surge and sea level rise data
to assist in the planning of
new or relocation of
community facilities such as
parks, fire houses, cultural
sites, etc.
Community Asset
Vulnerability mapping
included in this project.
Activity 310, 430, and 450
”Regulating development in
the floodplain and
watershed”
Activity 520 and 530
“Protecting flood-prone
buildings in place and
addressing repetitively
flooded properties”
Utility Service Lacey states a need for
updated data and mapping on
newly added utility
infrastructure in town and
Lavallette’s states a continued
need for utility infrastructure
maintenance and upgrades,
yet neither elements seek to
overlay this data with future
storm surge and sea level rise
projections.
Both towns could update
this element with the latest
data and mapping of all
utility infrastructure that has
been added since the last
reexam and overlay with the
climate data.
Integrating Climate Change
and Water Supply Planning
in Southeast Florida,
Southeast Florida Compact
Silicon Valley 2.0 –
Climate Preparedness Gap
Analysis
Activity 310, 430, and 450
”Regulating development in
the floodplain and
watershed”
Activity 520 and 530
“Protecting flood-prone
buildings in place and
addressing repetitively
flooded properties”
Public Access Lacey’s latest Master Plan
reexamination report calls for
the creation of a PAP.
Lavallette has an inventory of
the PA locations and in also
interested in writing a plan.
Use PA points from NJDEP
as well as local knowledge
to create a PAP. Include
data on likely future impacts
of storm surge and sea level
rise and how access to the
bay/ocean may be impacted
in the future,
Harrison Town
Linden City
Activity 240 “Develop new
maps and data”
Activity 310, 430, and 450
”Regulating development in
the floodplain and
watershed”
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Regional Actions
The Ocean County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Under the direction of the County Sherriff’s department, Ocean County completed a full Hazard Mitigation
Base Plan in 2014, with annual updates for 2015 and 2016. Neither Lacey nor Lavallette completed any
prescribed Hazard Mitigation Projects in 2015 and 2016. Below is a table of the areas where both Lacey and
Lavallette had similar HMP project and procedural recommendation:
Table 2: Shared HMP Recommendations and Gaps for the 2 Communities
Shared HMP Recommendation
Continue to enforce building codes
Continue to participate in the NFIP
Elevate residential properties
Join, maintain and or/increase rating in CRS Program
The recommendations could benefit from a multi-municipal approach through continued participation in the
County HMP process. Building codes, for example, could be coordinated with each municipality throughout the
County and joined with future potential sea level rise and storm surge data to then develop model codes for
specific areas of the communities such as the Barrier Island, area of lagoon residential, inland riverine areas,
etc.
Ocean County CRS Users Group
In working on a multi-jurisdictional or county level, municipalities can pool knowledge and resources to impact
regional resilience.
While Lacey Township is not an active member in the program, officials participate in the Community Ratings
System (CRS) Users Group facilitated by Ocean County, formed as a result of the post-Sandy County Hazard
Mitigation Planning process. Lavallette does participate in the CRS program.
Aside from greater resilience to storm and flood damage, the incentives for municipalities to participate in the
CRS program is to provide National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) participants a discounted rate when the
municipality goes above and beyond NFIP requirements. There are four series of activates in the CRS program:
Public Information
Mapping and Regulatory
Flood Damage Reduction
Warning and Response
The Users Group can serve as the venue for knowledge transfer on such things as the latest and greatest climate
data (i.e. updates to sea level rise projections) to ensure that municipalities are using the same data as their
neighbors, and share knowledge on mitigation techniques such as wetland restoration.
A s s e t s V u l n e r a b i l i t y A s s e s s m e n t P r o j e c t R e p o r t
24 | P a g e
The Atlantic Cape Coastal Coalition, for example, has in the past used their monthly meetings to have
professionals from Steven’s Institute of Technology present to participants on the science and application of
living shoreline projects. It is also not uncommon for Users Groups to share templates of ordinances used in
their towns so that other participant towns can model them in their own communities. Bringing local, state, and
federal experts and advisors to CRS user groups and regional coalition meetings is a way for each community to
build trusted relationships and also gain broader and more in-depth understanding of climate and environmental
impacts from these experts without individual, localized meetings which many of the smaller communities may
not have the resources to facilitate.
Multi-Jurisdictional Program for Public Information (PPI)
Joint outreach efforts, in the form of Multi-Jurisdictional Programs for Public Information (PPI), offer more
CRS points and therefore a bigger discount for policy holders. PPI’s can offer information on community assets
and flood hazards (like the ones listed in this report), insurance data, social and economic needs, and identify
the different audiences in town to direct the information to. The CRS Users group consists of pertinent hazard
mitigation personnel in the participating Ocean County towns, and these same individuals partake in the GTR
process and could therefore also serve as the PPI stakeholders. Through the PPI process, target areas in the
community are identified for outreach. The data in this plan already identifies the areas and assets in the two
communities where sea level rise of 1, 2, and 3 feet and storm surge (with inundation depths) are likely to occur
in the future. This includes lagoon residential, waterfront businesses, beachfront rental units, etc. The CRS
users group is a great resource to formulate the public outreach message in a cohesive manner so that protecting
people and property from flood hazards and also protecting the natural floodplain functions is done in a unified
manner throughout the region.
An example provided by the CRS Program of a Model Multi-Jurisdictional PPI is the Snohomish County,
Monroe, and Sultan PPI of Washington State.
Table 3: Summary of Regional Resilience Actions
Action Benefit
Adding resilience-related data to
local planning documents
Communities can begin to incorporate future climate scenarios
into planning and zoning to help shape the future of the towns
Continued participation in the Ocean
County HMP process
Lobby for shared HMP projects for regional importance i.e.
coordination of building codes.
Participate in the County-wide CRS
Users Group
Vital for use of cohesive data, mapping, model plans and
ordinances, professional training, education , and grant
opportunities, etc.
Public Outreach and Education via a
Multi-Jurisdiction PPI
Important to develop a unified message to residents of two
communities as well as the entire county
A s s e t s V u l n e r a b i l i t y A s s e s s m e n t P r o j e c t R e p o r t
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Communicating to the Public about Vulnerable Assets - Project Products Enhancing Municipal Websites, Flood and Storm Water information
Municipal officials may use the data in this assessment to determine which assets are most critical to them by
incorporating this data into their vision of where and how they see the community growing in the future, and
also by considering the cost-benefit of projects that are needed to mitigate the future climate impacts on the
critical community assets. Another important exercise that communities can do with this information is to
communicate to the public the projected vulnerabilities, and allow residents to participate in the conversation on
the community’s vision for the future, land use planning scenarios and capital investments decisions. This can
be done via facilities workshops, presentations to the planning board/town council with members of the public
in attendance, or creating a communication strategy to be housed at the municipal building and/or municipal
website. Most communities already have a flood information section on their website where this information
could be added.
Currently, the Lavallette municipal
website offers a Flood information
Link on the main Borough webpage.
This link directs users to information
on:
NFIP
Flood Protection and Coastal Storm
Safety
CRS
Permit requirements
Drainage Maintenance
Property Protection Measurers
Flood Safety
Flood / Local Hazard
Flood Map (along with the natural
and beneficial functions of dunes and
beach)
Local Directory of Contacts
Substantial Improvements / Damage
Repair
Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)
Information
Flood Warning System
Both the Lacey and Lavallette municipal websites off similar information on flood hazard and safety. Missing
from this information the future impacts that the town may encounter as sea levels rise. Both communities are
A s s e t s V u l n e r a b i l i t y A s s e s s m e n t P r o j e c t R e p o r t
26 | P a g e
encouraged to use the information in this report, or the upcoming Rutgers Climate Alliance STAP guidance, to
communicate future vulnerabilities to the public with an additional tab on their flood and hazard website
locations.
Project Poster
Project poster, to be delivered to the community and housed at the municipal building, was made with the assets
de-identified, as to not map the well and pump station locations. The poster could be used as the starting point
for future resilience planning/a future resilience element in the municipal master plan.
A s s e t s V u l n e r a b i l i t y A s s e s s m e n t P r o j e c t R e p o r t
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Appendix A: Lavallette Borough Detailed Table of Community Assets and
Vulnerability
B-1: Community Resource Assets, Lavallette Borough Asset
Sub
Catego
ry
Asset
Name
Addres
s
Asset
Notes
Expos
ure to
SLR
2030
(1ft)
Expos
ure to
SLR
2050
(2ft)
Exposur
e to
SLR
2100
(3ft)
Exposu
re to
Cat 1
Inunda
tion
Exposu
re to
Cat 2
Inunda
tion
Exposu
re to
Cat 3
Inunda
tion
Potential
Consequenc
es
Munici
pal
Operati
ons
Town
Hall
1306
Grand
Central
Ave
has
generato
r
no no partial entirely
(0-3 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
Has
generator,
but could
still
potentially
lose use of
municipal
operations at
this specific
location
during storm
event.
Building was
rebuilt post-
Sandy and is
elevated but
access to and
from
building will
be impacted
by flooded
roads.
Munici
pal
Operati
ons
Lavallett
e MUA
120
Washin
gton
Ave
has
generato
r
no no partial entirely
(0-3 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
Access to
and from
building will
be impacted
by flooding
roads as well
as 2100 sea
level rise
projections.
Town could
lose use of
this site for
MUA/DPW
activities in
future.
Emerg
ency
Respon
se - PD
Police
Dept.
1306
Grand
Central
Ave
has
generato
r
no no partial entirely
(0-3 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
access to and
from
building will
be impacted
by flooding
roads as well
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28 | P a g e
as 2100 sea
level rise
projections.
During storm
events, PD
will likely
have to
operate from
alternate.
Emerg
ency
Respon
se -
Fire
Station
69 Fire
Dept.
125
Washin
gton
Ave
can hold
3 trucks
- has
generato
r
no no yes entirely
(0-3 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
access to and
from
building will
be impacted
by flooding
roads as well
as 2100 sea
level rise
projections.
The potential
future
consequence
s would lead
the facility to
consider
alternate
equipment
storage
locations and
careful
evacuation
planning in
the future.
Gas
Station
Kelly's
Sea Bay
Sunoco
2007
Grand
Central
Ave
only gas
station
in town
no no partial entirely
(0-3 ft)
entirely
(3-9 ft)
entirely
(3-9 ft)
Only gas
station in
town.
Residents
and
emergency
personnel
who remain
in town
during/after
a storm
event will
need
alternate fuel
source.
A s s e t s V u l n e r a b i l i t y A s s e s s m e n t P r o j e c t R e p o r t
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Busine
ss
District
Business
District
Rt 35
from
Brynma
wr Ave
to
Dover
Ave
Various
business
es along
the
highway
front
no rt 35
betwe
en
Vance
and
Camd
en
may
see
water
entirely
from N
end at
Bryn
Mawr
going S
to
Pennsyl
vania
Ave. It
is then
partial
from
Penn to
most
southern
road end
a
Trenton
Ave.
But, due
to
inability
to utilize
road, it
should
be
consider
ed
entirely
inundate
d.
entirely
(0-3 ft)
entirely
(3-9 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
This is the
commercial
hub of the
community
and the
various
shops and
restaurants
serve locals,
summer
renters, and
summer
tourists. The
long-term
loss of local
businesses
would
gravely
impact the
community.
Church Faith
Lutheran
Church
1801
Grand
Central
Ave
Has a
food
pantry
no no partial -
roadway
s to west
and
south
entirely
(0-3 ft)
entirely
(3-9 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
Based on
2100 sea
level rise
projections
and storm
surge for
cats 1 and 2,
the
community
may lose use
of its places
of worship in
the future
and
during/imme
diately after
storm events.
Also, if
churches
offer
services such
A s s e t s V u l n e r a b i l i t y A s s e s s m e n t P r o j e c t R e p o r t
30 | P a g e
as a food
pantry, these
services will
also be
disrupted.
Church Union
Church
25
Philadel
phia
Ave
no no yes entirely
(0-3 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
Based on
2100 sea
level rise
projections
and storm
surge for
cats 1 and 2,
the
community
may lose use
of its places
of worship in
the future
and
during/imme
diately after
storm events.
Also, if
churches
offer
services such
as a food
pantry, these
services will
also be
disrupted.
Church Saint
Pio
Church
103
Washin
gton
Ave
no no yes entirely
(0-3 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
Based on
2100 sea
level rise
projections
and storm
surge for
cats 1 and 2,
the
community
may lose use
of its places
of worship in
the future
and
during/imme
diately after
storm events.
A s s e t s V u l n e r a b i l i t y A s s e s s m e n t P r o j e c t R e p o r t
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Also, if
churches
offer
services such
as a food
pantry, these
services will
also be
disrupted.
Library Upper
Shores
Library
112
Jersey
City
Ave
no no partial entirely
(0-3 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
Library will
either need
to be raised
or relocated
if the local
branch is to
remain long
term.
Storm-
Related
Retail
Lavallett
e
Hardwar
e
1601 Rt
35 N
no no yes entirely
(0-3 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
This is the
only
hardware
store in town
and residents
and business
owners in
town will
need to find
an alternate
source for
storm
preparation
and repair
items pre
and post-
events.
School Lavallett
e School
105
Brookly
n Ave
k-8,
approx.
160
students
and 17
staff - no
generato
r
no no not site
but
access
roads
entirely
(0-3 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
serves grades
k-8. will not
be able to be
used a
shelter or an
evacuation
location.
Munici
pal
Operati
ons
Lifeguar
d
Headqua
rters
1200
Philadel
phia
and
Ocean
Ave
currently
being
construct
ed
no no no no -
currentl
y dune
protecte
d
no -
dune
currentl
y
protecte
d
may see
0-3 feet
(dune
protecte
d)
raised and
currently
dune
protected
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Marina Lavallett
e Yacht
Club
124
Swan
Point
Rd
has slips
and
infrastru
cture
partial
at
waterf
ront
yes yes yes (0-6
ft)
yes (6-
9ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
reoccurring
property
damage may
cause users
to not keep
boats at this
location/patr
onize the
location and
may impact
business.
Post
Office
Post
Office
3191
Route
35 N
no no yes entirely
(0-3 ft)
yes (6-
9ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
disruption of
mail services
Pharma
cy
Rite Aid
Pharmac
y
702
Grand
Central
Ave
no no partial entirely
(0-3 ft)
yes (6-
9ft)
entirely
(6-9 ft)
residents
would need
to make
other
arrangement
s for
medications
B-2: Critical Facility and Infrastructure Assets, Lavallette Borough Asset
Sub
Catego
ry
Asset
Name
Addres
s
Asset
Descrip
tion
Exposu
re to
SLR
2030
(1ft)
Exposu
re to
SLR
2050
(2ft)
Exposu
re to
SLR
2100
(3ft)
Exposu
re to
Cat 1
Inunda
tion
Exposu
re to
Cat 2
Inunda
tion
Exposu
re to
Cat 3
Inunda
tion
Potential
Consequen
ces
Utility Water
tower
120
Washin
gton
Ave
At
public
works
site -
has
telecom
m on
top for 4
provider
s
no partial partial -
site
entirely
(0-3 ft.)
entirely
(6-9 ft.)
entirely
(over 9
ft)
The pump
used to
refill the
tower could
potentially
be
impacted.
Utility Munici
pal
Water
120
Washin
gton
Ave
1 well 1
treatme
nt site
(munici
pal
water)
no partial partial entirely
(0-3 ft.)
entirely
(6-9 ft.)
entirely
(over 9
ft)
If system
impacted by
flood
waters,
water
treatment
will be
effected.
Utility OCUA
facility
Corner
of Bay
and
White
OCUA
facility
no yes yes entirely
(0-3 ft.)
entirely
(6-9 ft.)
entirely
(over 9
ft)
If system
impacted by
flood
waters,
water
A s s e t s V u l n e r a b i l i t y A s s e s s m e n t P r o j e c t R e p o r t
33 | P a g e
treatment
will be
effected.
Utility Munici
pal
Water
Corner
of
Newark
and Bay
has
generato
r, 2
wells 1
treatme
nt site
(munici
pal
water)
no yes yes entirely
(0-3 ft.)
entirely
(6-9 ft.)
entirely
(over 9
ft)
Elevated 2
feet. If
system
impacted by
flood
waters,
water
treatment
will be
effected.
Evacua
tion
Route
Rt 35
N and
S
State
designat
ed
no yes yes entirely
(0-3 ft.)
entirely
(6-9 ft.)
entirely
(over 9
ft)
If not
earlier
evacuated,
people will
not be able
to leave
town/emerg
ency rescue
may not be
possible.
Evacua
tion
Route
Rt 37
into
Toms
River
State
designat
ed
likely
some
interfer
ence at
both
ends
some
interfere
nce at
both
ends
some
interfer
ence at
both
ends
0-3 ft.
at both
ends
3-9 feet
at both
ends
entirely
(over 9
ft)
those
looking to
evacuate via
Rt 37 into
Toms River
may lose
this route
option and
will have to
travel north
to Brick, if
possible.
Evacua
tion
Route
Herbert
St into
Brick
twp.
State
designat
ed -
Herbert
is
County
528 -
takes
driver
into
mainlan
d Brick
yes - at
both
ends
yes - at
both
ends
yes - at
both
ends
0-6 ft.
at both
ends
6-9 ft.
at both
ends
entirely
(over 9
ft)
Those
looking to
evacuate
into Brick
may lose
this route
option and
will have to
travel south
to Toms
River, if
possible.
A s s e t s V u l n e r a b i l i t y A s s e s s m e n t P r o j e c t R e p o r t
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Evacua
tion
Routes
- local
importa
nce
Bay
Blvd
Not
state
designat
ed but
locally
importa
nt -
takes
driver to
bridge
into
Toms
River
partially
in areas
of
Preside
nt,
Reese,
and
Vance
Yes,
mostly
from
Ortley
to
Washin
gton
yes 0-3 feet
through
out
town
and
much of
approac
h, 0-3
ft. at
bridge
seaside
heights,
3-6
through
out
some
areas of
Ortley
6-9 ft.
through
out
town, 0-
6 ft. at
final
approac
h
entirely
(over 9
ft)
Will impact
evacuation
of residents,
specifically
homes on
the bay
side.
Storage Design
ated
boat
and car
parking
for
storm
events
No
Official
Storage Design
ated
lots for
post
storm
event
debris
collecti
on
Along
Bay
Ave
Large
lot with
some
paveme
nt and
sand
partial -
along
Bay
Yes,
mostly
from
Ortley
to
Washin
gton
yes yes,
mostly
0-3 ft.
with
small
areas of
3-6 ft.
closest
to Bay
yes,
mostly
6-9 ft.
with
small
areas
over 9
feet
closest
to Bay
entirely
(over 9
ft)
Future sea
level will
cause the
loss of this
site's use as
debris
collection/st
orage going
forward.
Utility Teleco
mm
Towers
120
Washin
gton
Ave
alongsi
de
Brookly
n Ave
On top
of water
tower -
4
provider
s
no partial partial -
site
entirely
(0-3 ft.)
entirely
(6-9 ft.)
entirely
(over 9
ft)
Disruption
of cell
service.
Utility Electric
Substat
ion
120
Washin
gton
Ave
alongsi
de Rt
35
JCP&L
and
Lavallet
te
Electric
Dept.
no partial partial -
site
entirely
(0-3 ft.)
entirely
(6-9 ft.)
entirely
(over 9
ft)
Disruption
of power.
A s s e t s V u l n e r a b i l i t y A s s e s s m e n t P r o j e c t R e p o r t
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B-3: Natural Areas and Ecosystems Assets, Lavallette Borough Asset
Sub
Catego
ry
Asset
Name
Addre
ss
Asset
Notes
Expos
ure to
SLR
2030
(1ft)
Expos
ure to
SLR
2050
(2ft)
Expos
ure to
SLR
2100
(3ft)
Exposur
e to Cat
1
Inundat
ion
Exposur
e to Cat
2
Inundat
ion
Exposur
e to Cat
3
Inundat
ion
Potential
Consequenc
es
Park/be
ach
Jacobs
on
Park
Bay
Blvd
no
bathroom
partial
- along
water's
edge
partial
- along
water's
edge
and
side by
road,
park
itself
seems
elevate
d
yes 0-3 ft.
with 3-6
ft. along
water's
edge
6-9 ft.
with
over 9 ft.
along
water's
edge
entirely
(over
9ft)
Community
could lose
recreation
area/infrastru
cture. The
bayfront area
also serves as
a buffer for
nearby
homes and
continued
degradation
by storms
and wave
action will
impact the
bayfront
beach and
park area
role in wave
attenuation.
Park/be
ach
Bayfro
nt Park
Bay
Blvd
no
bathroom
(has port-
a-potties
for
events)-
has
tennis,
shufflebo
ard, 2
crabbing
docs,
gazebo
for
summer
concerts
along
water's
edge
yes yes 0-3 ft.
with 3-6
ft. along
water's
edge
6-9 ft.
with
over 9 ft.
along
water's
edge
entirely
(over
9ft)
Community
could lose
recreation
area/infrastru
cture. The
bayfront area
also serves as
a buffer for
nearby
homes and
continued
degradation
by storms
and wave
action will
impact the
A s s e t s V u l n e r a b i l i t y A s s e s s m e n t P r o j e c t R e p o r t
36 | P a g e
- boat
ramp at
end of
New
Brunswic
k
bayfront
beach and
park area
role in wave
attenuation.
Park/be
ach
Chandl
er Ball
field
Princet
on
Ave
betwee
n Rt
35 and
Baltim
ore
Ave
has
bathroom
no no partial 3-6 ft. 6-9 ft.
with
over 9 ft.
along
water's
edge
entirely
(over
9ft)
Community
could lose
recreation
area/infrastru
cture for a
time after a
storm event.
Park/be
ach
Newar
k Ave
park
end of
Newar
k Ave
Small
bridge
area of
recreatio
n (mostly
for
fishing)
yes yes yes 3-6 ft. 6-9 ft.
with
over 9 ft.
along
water's
edge
entirely
(over
9ft)
Small area of
recreation
would be
damaged/lost
.
Boat
Slips
Munici
pal
slips
End of
Jersey
City
Ave
5 slips
that town
rents out
yes yes yes 3-6 ft. over 9 ft.
along
water's
edge
entirely
(over
9ft)
Town would
lose revenue
from slip
rentals.
Public
access
points
Beach
Access
Points
NJDE
P lists
every
street
end
along
the
beach
front -
29
points
total.
Nothin
g for
Bay
Each has
seating
infrastruc
ture but
no
bathroom
s. The
only pier
is located
at Bond
Ave.
no no no currently
dune
protecte
d -
depends
on dune
perform
ance
currently
dune
protecte
d -
depends
on dune
perform
ance
currently
dune
protecte
d -
depends
on dune
perform
ance
If impacted
by storms
and rising
seas,
residents
could lose
access points
to the ocean
beach,
especially if
dunes fail
and need
regular
replenishmen
t.
Ocean
Beach
Public
Beach
Entire
eastern
shore
of
town
entire
length
dune
protect
ed
dune
protect
ed
dune
protect
ed
currently
dune
protecte
d -
depends
on dune
perform
ance
currently
dune
protecte
d -
depends
on dune
perform
ance
currently
dune
protecte
d -
depends
on dune
perform
ance
If impacted
by storms
and rising
seas,
residents
could lose
access points
to the ocean
beach,
A s s e t s V u l n e r a b i l i t y A s s e s s m e n t P r o j e c t R e p o r t
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especially if
dunes fail
and need
regular
replenishmen
t. Also
possibility of
beach
closures due
to
replenishmen
t projects.
B-4: Vulnerable Sites and Populations, Lavallette Borough Asset Sub
Category
Asset
Name
Address Asset
Descri
ption
Expos
ure to
SLR
2030
(1ft)
Expos
ure to
SLR
2050
(2ft)
Expos
ure to
SLR
2100
(3ft)
Expos
ure to
Cat 1
Inund
ation
Expos
ure to
Cat 2
Inund
ation
Expos
ure to
Cat 3
Inund
ation
Potential
Consequ
ences
Brownfield/ot
herwise
contaminated
site
Quick
Stop
1004
Grand
Central
Ave
listed
as
active
case
no yes yes entirely
(0-3
ft.)
entirely
(6-9
ft.)
entirely
(6-9
ft.)
Brownfield/ot
herwise
contaminated
site
KELLYS
SEA
BAY
SUNOCO
2007
GRAND
CENTRA
L AVE
listed
as
active
case
no no partial entirely
(0-3
ft.)
entirely
(3-9
ft.)
entirely
(6-9
ft.)
leakage
of
undergro
und
tank/eros
ion of
infrastruc
ture
Brownfield/ot
herwise
contaminated
site
LAVALL
ETTE
PUBLIC
WORKS
120
WASHIN
GTON
AVE
listed
as
active
case
no no partial entirely
(0-3
ft.)
entirely
(6-9
ft.)
entirely
(6-9
ft.)
leakage
of
undergro
und
tank/eros
ion of
infrastruc
ture
A s s e t s V u l n e r a b i l i t y A s s e s s m e n t P r o j e c t R e p o r t
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Appendix B: Lavallette Borough Detailed Planning Document Resilience Review
Municipal Master Plan
The latest Comprehensive Master Plan was drafted in August 2015 and is at this time being considered for
adoption by the Borough. The introduction to the Plan states that the Goals and Objectives contained within
each of its elements are intended to guide development and redevelopment within the Borough in a
manner that enhances resiliency, sustainability, public health and safety, and quality of life for all residents and
visitors alike.
Plan Section Resilience Included Gaps/Recommendations Examples/Models
(where available)
Associated CRS
Activity
1.Sandy Impacts
and Recovery
The Borough’s police station,
municipal complex, and lifeguard
headquarters all sustained
significant damage and were
demolished subsequent to
Hurricane Sandy. The municipal
complex is currently being
reconstructed, and the Borough
plans to reconstruct its lifeguard
headquarters on the same lot at
Philadelphia Avenue. Several parks
and associated park facilities, as
well as marine infrastructure
including fishing docks and boat
launches along the Bayfront
sustained significant damage.
Complete repair of all of the
infrastructure is still not complete
throughout the Borough. Also,
State Highway 35 was undermined
by floodwaters and required
substantial repairs and the
Borough’ s gas mains and
distribution lines, water and
sewer lines, stormwater systems,
and electrical infrastructure
sustained significant flood or wind-
related damage due to Hurricane
Sandy.
The Hurricane Sandy
impacts are fully
addressed but a
resilience item missing
could be the link of
future climate change
projections and
increased frequency and
intensity of storms.
Ocean County HMP Activity 240
“Develop new
maps and data”
Activity 320 and
440 “maintain
and provide
mapping and
data to public”
2. Land Use This section addresses the post-
Sandy trend of demolishing old
bungalows to build larger, single
family homes. The town addresses
the need to better plan for future
storm events. This section
addresses the vacant lots as being
spread throughout the Borough,
although the majority of vacant
parcels are riparian buffers
between developable residential
parcels and tidelands in
Residential District B. Many of
the Borough’s remaining vacant
parcels that are not riparian
buffers are either too small for
The following objective
was listed in this section
and has subsequently
been removed. It
remains a valid and
important objective for
a Borough a vulnerable
as Lavallette. “Promote
and advance the
integration of green
technologies,
sustainable design
elements, smart
growth, and resilient
construction methods
into the Borough Land
Somers Point, NJ 2015
Master Plan
Miami-Dade
Comprehensive Master
Plan
North Wildwood, NJ
2010 Master Plan
Activity 240
“Develop new
maps and data”
Activity 320 and
440 “maintain
and provide
mapping and
data to public”
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development, environmentally
constrained, exist within a
beachfront area, or are otherwise
undevelopable due to the presence
of easements or other restrictions.
Development
Ordinance”. Also,
while trends are seen
due to storm related
rehabilitation and
rebuilding, certain areas
and roads within the
Borough are likely to
see constant inundation
in the future as a result
of projected sea level
rise. This will not only
result in more houses
needing to be raised, but
perhaps demolished
permanently. A note
was also written in to
add a statement on the
change in lot sizes and
coverage post-Sandy.
The vacant lots should
be addresses in more
detail in the plan; an
inventory should be
done to identify which
are truly protected by
buffer easements and
which are underutilized
but still hold
development potential.
These lots can then be
assessed for their
vulnerability to the
effects of future climate
change impacts and
then their allowable
development and uses
planned accordingly.
This is especially
important if the town
foresees the need for
additional residential
development in the
future.
3. Circulation After Hurricane Sandy, major
roadway repairs were completed
on Route 35 along the entire
barrier island, including
Lavallette. The total reconstruction
of Route 35 has replaced all
damaged utility infrastructure with
new and upgraded infrastructure
including a new stormwater
evacuation system under Route 35.
The Borough also incorporated
Complete Streets policies into their
roadway design and it has been
Regarding the street
design, there is no
mention of nature-
based/green stormwater
techniques being used,
possibly because of lack
of space due to parking
needs. The Borough
cold consider removal
of curbs and the use of
permeable pavement for
roads and sidewalks is
an important stormwater
management strategy.
Chicago Green Alleys
Program
City of Lancaster
Green Infrastructure
Plan, 2011
Examples in
Washington state done
by SvR Design
Company
Activity 310,
430, and 450
”Regulating
development in
the floodplain
and watershed”
Activity 402 and
510 “Protecting
natural
floodplain
functions”
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incorporated with Rt 35
reconstruction.
Activity 520 and
530 “Protecting
flood-prone
buildings in
place and
addressing
repetitively
flooded
properties”
4. Community
Facilities
The Plan states that bayfront
recreational areas should be
improved to include more
amenities such as a boardwalks,
exercise stations, and bicycle
paths, especially in underutilized
areas along the Bayfront. The
Plan lists an inventory of these
facilities. The municipal building
was re-built post Sandy and there
are plans for a new lifeguard
headquarters.
It should be noted that
the Asset Vulnerability
Assessment shows some
of these sites and
facilities are vulnerable
to storm surge and
future sea level rise
projections and
consideration should be
made for the
infrastructure
investment made at
these sites and on
bayfront recreation
facilities and whether or
not the infrastructure
should be relocated.
Moss Point, Alabama Activity 310,
430, and 450
”Regulating
development in
the floodplain
and watershed”
Activity 520 and
530 “Protecting
flood-prone
buildings in
place and
addressing
repetitively
flooded
properties”
5. Recreation and
Conservation
Plan recognizes dunes as the
Borough’s first line of defense for
coastal storms. The Plan also
defines the Ocean berm and its
importance to the Borough - The
Ocean berm is the gently
sloping area between the dunes
and the ocean commonly referred
to as the beach. The berm is
important because during most
storm events, waves will
harmlessly run up and dissipate
before reaching the dunes,
thereby helping to reduce dune
erosion. As long as this area is
sufficiently maintained and wide
enough, Lavallette should be
protected from most severe weather
events. This emphasizes the
importance of beach replenishment
in the Borough. The Plan also
proposes wooden walk-overs that
can ensure one continuous dune
along the Borough. Encourage the
preservation of existing trees and
foliage and promote new planting.
While the Plan
mentions vulnerability
to coastal storms,
mention of storms
worsening due to future
climate change has been
removed from the text.
Monmouth County
Master Plan,
Community Resilience
Recommendation
NY State Open Space
Conservation Plan
“Our Changing
Climate” section
Activity 240
“Develop new
maps and data”
Activity 320 and
440 “maintain
and provide
mapping and
data to public”
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6. Housing The Plan addresses the lack of
developable land for residential
units.
Although there are very
few undeveloped or
underutilized parcels
that could potentially be
considered for
residential development,
in the future, these areas
should be assessed for
vulnerability to future
climate change impacts.
Brick, NJ Floodplain
Management Plan
Activity 310,
430, and 450
”Regulating
development in
the floodplain
and watershed”
7. Utility Service Plan states the need to protect the
Borough against the adverse
impacts of flooding and poor
drainage through the continued
maintenance and improvement of
storm water facilities. Also, local
streets within the Borough are
not improved with storm
sewerage infrastructure. However,
NJDOT has provided and
maintains storm sewers along
Rt 35 North and maintains
approximately 25 additional catch
basins have at some street
intersections along Route 35 North.
Ocean County has provided and
maintains storm sewers along Bay
Blvd, Pershing Blvd, and Dickman
Drive. The entire storm sewer
system within the Borough consists
of approximately 268 catch basins,
the County road system also
includes Washington and Ortley
Avenues from Bay Boulevard to
Rt 35 and both the DOT and
County storm sewer systems
drain into Barnegat Bay through
a series of 29 outfalls. DOT is
undertaking corridor-wide
drainage improvements that
include the installation of water
quality chambers at all drainage
outfalls and the installation of
check valves at all outfall pipes
to prevent tidal or storm surge
backflow into the drainage
system. While there has been
some improvement in stormwater
management resulting from this
project, several areas of the
Borough are still in need of
improved drainage facilities.
This section has a Flood
Prevention and
Mitigation subsection
which discusses the
Borough’s CRS score
and participation in the
NFIP. The
recommendations of
this subsection are to
upgrade and maintain
the storm and sewer
infrastructure in the
Borough and have little
to do with the actual
text of the subsection.
This subsection should
delve deeper into where
future infrastructure
investments should be
made, taking into
account the areas that
are flooded due heavy
rain events, storm surge,
and future sea level rise
projections.
Integrating Climate
Change and Water
Supply Planning in
Southeast Florida,
Southeast Florida
Compact
Silicon Valley 2.0 –
Climate Preparedness
Gap Analysis
Activity 310,
430, and 450
”Regulating
development in
the floodplain
and watershed”
Activity 520 and
530 “Protecting
flood-prone
buildings in
place and
addressing
repetitively
flooded
properties”
8. Historic
Preservation
The Borough has
decided to remove the
entirety of the Historic
Preservation Element.
When historic sites
were discussed in terms
Annapolis, Maryland
Cultural Resources
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Activity 530 “
Protecting Flood
prone buildings
in place”
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of critical assets, the
Borough did not believe
they have any in town
and the 2 listed on the
NJDEP website are not
known to the town. This
is an area that needs
more clarification.
9. Recycling N/A N/A
10.
Economic/Business
Development
The Plan recommends the Borough
investigate how to diversify their
economic base to expand beyond
summer tourism and therefore
allow for more offseason events
and festivals.
The Borough should
consider additional
language in this element
that illustrates business’
vulnerability to storm
surge and sea level rise
not only due to their
location but by
sector/business type.
For example, supply
chain disruption,
business continuity after
a storm event, etc.
Understanding the
Economic
Development
Opportunity and
Impact of Climate
Change, Rhode Island
Commerce
Corporation
Activity 520 and
530 “Protecting
flood-prone
buildings in
place and
addressing
repetitively
flooded
properties”
11. Master Plan
Consistency
It is required under the
MLUL that municipal
Master Plans be
consistent with the
plans of neighboring
towns, the County, and
the State Plan. While it
is not required, it is
generally recommended
by Hazard Mitigation
and Climate Resilience
practitioners that Master
Plans also aim for
consistency with
County HMPs.
Ocean County Hazard
Mitigation Plan
Inclusion in the Ocean County HMP The Borough participated in the County HMP process and does not have its own municipal plan. The County
HMP does list climate change hazards for each municipality, including Lavallette, and can be referenced by the
town in future land use and infrastructure decisions.
Plan Resilience Included Gaps/Recommendations Examples/Models
(where available)
Associated CRS
Activity
Ocean County
HMP
The County HMP called for
Lavallette to utilize the following
mitigation actions:
Complete beach replenishment
project
Continue to enforce building
codes
Continue to participate in the
NFIP
Coordinate with USACE for
beach replenishment issues
Lavallette was not listed
for the following
mitigation actions but
may benefit from them:
Decrease
impervious surface
Maintain and
improve dunes
(This will need to
be addressed if
beach public access
Rutgers School of
Environmental and
Biological Sciences
(SEBS) has many
examples of impervious
cover assessments
Miami Beach Coastal
Dune Management
Program
Activity 310, 430,
and 450
”Regulating
development in
the floodplain and
watershed”
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Elevate community
facilities/infrastructure
Elevate residential properties
Join, maintain and/or increase
rating for CRS Program
Maintain, improve, or expand
education and awareness
programs
locations are
improved or added
by way of wooden
board walk overs
over the dunes.)
Maintain dune
ordinance (This
may need to be
addressed along
with above action.)
Flood Plain Management Plan Plan Resilience Included Gaps/Recommendations Examples/Models
(where available)
Associated CRS
Activity
Flood Plain
Management
Plan
N/A The municipality
currently does not have
a FMP.
Brick, NJ Flood Plain
Management Plan
Activity 240
“Develop new
maps and data”
Activity 310, 430,
and 450
”Regulating
development in
the floodplain and
watershed”
Activity 402 and
510 “Protecting
natural floodplain
functions”
Public Access Plan Plan Resilience Included Gaps/Recommendations Examples/Models
(where available)
Associated CRS
Activity
Public Access
Plan
The Borough has an inventory of
public access locations and is
interested in drafting a report.
It is recommended that
any future PAP use this
assessment to take into
account areas vulnerable
to storm surge impacts
and projected future sea
level rise, as this is
likely to impact
bayfronts and ocean
access sites currently
accessible to and
frequently used by
residents and also by
visitors, particularly
with dune
replenishment.
Stone Harbor, NJ
Municipal Public
Access Plan
Activity 240
“Develop new
maps and data”
Activity 310, 430,
and 450
”Regulating
development in
the floodplain and
watershed”
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Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Plan Resilience Included Gaps/Recommendations Examples/Models
(where available)
Associated CRS
Activity
Capital
Improvement
Plan
The capital budget and CIP are
included in the Borough’s annual
budget.
No information on if and
how the potential
vulnerability of the
infrastructure is
provided in the CIP and
this may be done prior to
projects and
expenditures being
added to the CIP. If the
vulnerability to storm
surge and future
projected sea level rise
is not included in the
planning process, it is
recommended that this
occur.
City of Boynton Beach
Climate Action Plan
(Capital Planning)
Activity 240
“Develop new
maps and data”
Economic Development Plan
Exists as an element of the Master Plan (above).
Elevation Ordinance Plan Resilience Included Gaps/Recommendations Examples/Models
(where available)
Associated CRS
Activity
Elevation
Ordinance
After Hurricane Sandy, the
Borough zoning ordinance was
amended to incorporate the most
recent post-Sandy Special Flood
Hazard Area data prepared by
FEMA). The zoning ordinance
was also amended to require
homes that sustained damages
amounting to more than 50% of
the assessed value of the
structure to be reconstructed at
least one foot above the
minimum BFE as established by
FEMA. All Oceanfront and
Bayfront residences are located
in Residential Zoning District A
or B and in FEMA’s V or A
Flood Hazard Areas.
Compliance with the most
current FEMA Special Flood
Hazard Area and coastal
construction regulations shall be
of the utmost importance to
increase Lavallette’s resiliency
and reduce the cost of flood
insurance for the residents of
Lavallette.
This ordinance could be
enhanced to allow for and
encourage the use of
permeable materials to be
used for parking areas as
well as encouraging some of
the parking space to remain
unpaved – both of which
will assist in the managing
of stormwater.
Activity 310, 430,
and 450
”Regulating
development in
the floodplain and
watershed”
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Other Ordinances Plan Resilience Included Gaps/Recommendations Examples/Models
(where available)
Associated CRS
Activity
Chapter 44:
Oceanfront
Construction
The Plan recommends that
oceanfront construction
ordinances be amended to
reference FEMA’s Coastal
Construction Manual.
Language, mapping, and
data could be added to
illustrate future areas of
likely inundation based on
future sea level rise
projections per this
assessment.
Activity 240
“Develop new
maps and data”
Chapter 90:
Zoning
It is recommended to allow
eight additional feet of the
design flood elevation for a
garage to park underneath a
home.
This ordinance could be
enhanced to allow for and
encourage the use of
permeable materials to be
used for parking areas as
well as encouraging some of
the parking space to remain
unpaved – both of which
will assist in the managing
of stormwater.
Activity 310, 430,
and 450
”Regulating
development in
the floodplain and
watershed”
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Figures, Tables, and Maps……………………………Page Number
Figure 1: Range of Sea Level Rise Estimates…………….4
Figure 2: All Critical Community Assets, Lavallette Borough……20
Table 1: Local Planning Document Resilience Review for the 2 Communities………….31
Table 2: Shared HMP Recommendations and Gaps for the 2 Communities………33
Table 3: Summary of Regional Resilience Actions…….34
Map 1. Lavallette Borough, NJ Basemap………18
Map 2. Lavallette Borough Development Intensity………………….19
Map 3: All Critical Community Assets, Lavallette Borough…………….21
Map 4: Community Resources with Future Projected Sea Level Rise 1-3 Feet……..22
Map 5: Community Resources and Category 1 Storm Surge Inundation…………….22
Map 6: Community Resources and Category 2 Storm Surge Inundation…..23
Map 7: Community Resources and Category 3 Storm Surge Inundation…………..23
Map 8: Critical Facilities and Infrastructure with Future Projected Sea Level Rise 1-3 Feet……24
Map 9: Critical Facilities and Infrastructure and Category 1 Storm Surge Inundation ………….24
Map 10: Critical Facilities and Infrastructure and Category 2 Storm Surge Inundation …25
Map 11: Critical Facilities and Infrastructure and Category 3 Storm Surge Inundation ….25
Map 12: Natural Areas and Ecosystems with Future Projected Sea Level Rise 1-3 Feet……26
Map 13: Natural Areas and Ecosystems and Category 1 Storm Surge Inundation…27
Map 14: Natural Areas and Ecosystems and Category 2 Storm Surge Inundation ……………..27
Map 15: Natural Areas and Ecosystems and Category 3 Storm Surge Inundation ………..28
Map 16: Vulnerable Sites and Populations with Future Projected Sea Level Rise 1-3 Feet ….28
Map 17: Vulnerable Sites and Populations and Category 1 Storm Surge Inundation Borough……………..29
Map 18: Vulnerable Sites and Populations and Category 2 Storm Surge Inundation …30
Map 19: Vulnerable Sites and Populations and Category 3 Storm Surge Inundation …30