We must ever be sharpening our tools of truth, protecting our common home.

Civic life is often mistaken for showing up to a meeting. In reality, the impact comes from organizing—gathering facts, aligning with neighbors, and speaking with clarity that cannot be ignored. When Waterspirit spoke in opposition to Monmouth County’s support for the resolution to roll back the NJPACT REAL (Resilient Environments and Landscapes) rules, we were making use of the public comment opportunity by bringing reality to the table.

Science v. Policy: The opposition to the REAL rules—which require new developments to be built at higher elevations—often centers on over-regulation. However, a study published in Nature just this month, March of 2026, reveals that we are not being over-protective, we are behind.

A 1 Foot Gap: The study found roughly 90% of coastal hazard assessments have underestimated baseline water heights by an average of one foot due to a “methodological blindspot.”

Margin of Error: While policy leaders in Monmouth County and the State Legislature argue that a 4 foot or 5 foot elevation requirement is too much, science confirms our starting point was wrong. If we are already a foot deeper than we initially thought, evading these rules is not fiscal conservatism; it is a recipe for inundation.

What can you do?

Don’t let your voice get dull. Any legacy window for developers to bypass these rules closes in July 2026. Between now and then, we must educate our local reprsentatives as to the importance of prioritizing safety over short-term development gains.

Join Waterspirit’s advocacy efforts; start by completing our Ambassador Training course on your own time!