State seeks to buy flood-prone homes in Manville

MANVILLE, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey’s Environmental Protection Department is offering to buy 150 flood-prone homes in Manville.

Most of the homes are in the town’s Lost Valley section, where the Royce Brook meets the Millstone River. The neighborhood has sustained severe flooding for years.

The Courier News (https://mycj.co/1jaFg3y ) reports DEP assistant commissioner Rich Boornazian told homeowners the state will not force anyone to sell their homes.

The DEP will make an offer based on fair market value after appraising a property.

Boornazian says values in flood-prone areas are not calculated as if the home is located on a mountain.

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Information from: Courier News (Bridgewater, N.J.) , https://www.mycentraljersey.com