ASFPM Provides Written Testimony on FEMA Priorities for 2022
ASFPM was invited to submit written testimony to the Feb. 16 hearing on “FEMA Priorities for 2022: Stakeholder Perspectives” before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
As strong supporters of FEMA’s mission and, in particular, its flood mapping, hazard mitigation, and floodplain management activities, ASFPM was pleased to have opportunity to share our perspectives. The testimony provided focused on several subjects we see as essential priorities for FEMA to address this year, including:
- Make adjustments to FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program to better address economic and social equity and to better support and utilize FEMA’s traditional property specific or minor infrastructure mitigation activities.
- Improve all FEMA mitigation programs to address equity and social and environmental justice issues.
- Reestablish floodplain management and flood hazard mitigation connections to flood insurance under Risk Rating 2.0.
- Improve access to NFIP insurance and claims data for state and local officials to support mitigation plans and grant applications.
- Promote disclosure of flood risk information for home buyers and renters.
- Update the 44-year-old minimum land use requirements associated with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) using information provided in response to FEMA’s recently closed Request for Information (RFI).
- Clarify FEMA’s responsibilities with regard to compliance with the Endangered Species Act, also using information provided in response to the RFI.
- Move expeditiously on implementation of the Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) for FEMA’s own programs and to provide leadership on FFRMS implementation for other federal agencies through interagency resiliency and other work groups
