New Jersey has now formally adopted controversial flood elevation standards, even though state and federal officials admit the regulations will likely change when final maps are released later this year. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s, (FEMA), advisory elevations, which the state accepted through an emergency rule earlier this year as the standard for rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy, lay out how high residents in flood zones must raise their homes in order to maintain affordable flood insurance premiums. Despite protests from many storm victims who call the maps flawed, the state Department of Environmental Protection filed papers on Monday to make that emergency order a permanent measure.
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