February 1, 2022
Input on Levee Safety Needed
By Larry Larson, P.E., CFM
USACE and FEMA are working together to develop a National Levee Safety Program. Each agency has a role in levee safety and this program should improve coordination.
December 1, 2021
WOO for the Nation’s Floodplain Managers
By Larry Larson, P.E., CFM
My plea in this column is to help all of you reading this to understand how rare this opportunity is and to urge you to do your part and give your ideas on how the NFIP can better serve the nation.
October 1, 2021
Flood Risk Mapping Priorities
By Larry Larson, P.E., CFM
Flood risk mapping, just as all aspects of flood risk management, must be a local, state, and federal partnership. Focusing on future conditions will help make sure the maps remain accurate longer.
August 1, 2021
What is the Future for Traditional Flood Mitigation after BRIC Awards?
By Larry Larson, P.E., CFM
Many of us working to reduce flood risk were excited when Congress finally approved a disaster generated formula to create a sustained funding program for FEMA mitigation grants. After seeing the Fiscal Year 2020 grants, we’re less optimistic.
June 1, 2021
Where to Build, and Not Build
By Larry Larson, P.E., CFM
Perhaps the biggest rap on the NFIP is its failure to help communities and states avoid development in high-risk areas.
April 1, 2021
Reducing Development in High-Risk Coastal Areas
By Larry Larson, P.E., CFM
Development in high-risk coastal areas is increasing faster than in lower risk areas. Is there something we’re doing as a nation to encourage this behavior despite the known dangers?
February 1, 2021
Looking Ahead
By Larry Larson, P.E., CFM
The week I am writing this is the week Joe Biden takes over as the 46th President of the United States. Here’s what that means for ASFPM as we continue our work.
December 12, 2018
ASFPM Leadership Reflects on ASFPM’s First Employee
By Larry Larson, P.E., CFM
Diane Brown retires after 36 years of service Diane A. Brown started helping ASFPM with some tasks in 1981 when I met her through one of my Wisconsin DNR staff. She had several years of experience planning, organizing and running events and activities with a statewide nonprofit membership association. At the time, ASFPM had no
August 24, 2017
Setting People Straight on Six NFIP Myths
By Larry Larson, P.E., CFM
Like all myths, these NFIP myths start with a grain of truth, but are then extrapolated to a false outcome or to blame the wrong cause or party.
November 1, 2016
HUD’s proposed FFRMS rule will protect humans and taxpayer dollars
By Larry Larson, P.E., CFM
I recently read a column by Ed Brady, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, where he stated that HUD’s proposed rule to implement the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard would impose new rules on taxpayer-funded housing in areas “…where the odds of flooding are extremely remote.” Extremely remote eh? Many who recently suffered