In a continuing effort to ensure the potential impact to climate and change continues to be a priority, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation that will encourage municipalities to assess the effects of climate change on their towns in their master plan.
The new law (formerly bill A2785) requires that the land use plan element of a municipal master plan include a climate change-related hazard vulnerability assessment. The law is effective immediately and will apply to any future land use plan.
The law also requires the Department of Environmental Protection, upon request by a planning board, to provide technical assistance, as practicable, to a municipality preparing a climate change-related hazard vulnerability assessment required by the law.