DescriptionThis thesis analyzes the impacts of environmental disaster-induced displacement on individuals and communities with a specific focus on the Blue Acres Buyout process that occurred in the Watson-Crampton neighborhood of Woodbridge, New Jersey in 2013. The main research goals of this thesis are to understand the major impacts created by this experience, differing impacts on the individual and community scale, and resources that were available to those impacted by this experience. This information is ultimately used to answer the main research question of this thesis: how can individuals and communities who are impacted and displaced by flooding be further assisted, specifically in regards to the Blue Acres Buyout Program? This study hypothesizes that increased access to resources, specifically resources regarding relocation assistance, will be most helpful to individuals and communities in these situations. Relocation is an important factor to consider in regards to displacement, but it is a topic that is not typically addressed by Blue Acres. Thus, either providing people with or connecting people to resources that help with relocation would help to alleviate some of the stresses and burdens caused by this experience. In order to answer these questions and address this hypothesis, I looked at other case studies of environmental disaster-induced displacement, analyzed the Blue Acres process in the Watson-Crampton neighborhood in great depth, and conducted individual interviews with former residents of the Watson-Crampton neighborhood as well as other individuals that played a role in the buyout process. The information gathered from these resources revealed that many people who went through the Blue Acres process were impacted mentally and financially by this experience. Many of these people also reported being temporarily displaced, struggling with deciding whether or not to apply for a buyout, and having to find relocation assistance on their own. It is also important to mention that this buyout process was largely successful due to a member of the community who decided to step up and educate her neighbors about Blue Acres. Upon analysis of this research, I make the following recommendations for Blue Acres: increasing outreach to impacted communities; increasing accessibility in regards to buyout information; fostering connections to outside resources for relocation and mental health assistance; and finally developing resources to provide to community members who want to educate their neighborhoods about the Blue Acres program. With rising sea levels and the continuing presence of extreme, erratic weather, ensuring that impacted individuals and communities are receiving the assistance they most need is crucial.