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Member Alert: We need you to contact ICC members in your community

Member Alert

Flood hazard area preservation and limitation
on fill is up for ICC Assembly vote!

The International Green Construction Code (IgCC) is an optional building code that communities can
adopt that includes sustainability measures for construction projects.
Communities can elect to adopt portions of IgCC that best fit the needs of
their community to become and be called a “green” or more sustainable
community.

One section of the IgCC focuses specifically
on construction in the floodplain. The Association of State Floodplain
Managers recently worked with EPA and FEMA in preparing some proposed revisions
to the floodplain portion of the IgCC. One of the proposals submitted limits
the use of fill to support slab-on-grade foundations for new buildings and
structures and substantial improvements. ASFPM testified in support of
this standard, underlined below, at the recent Committee Action Hearing in
Memphis, Tenn.

402.2.3 Flood hazard area preservation,
limitation on fill.
Where this section is indicated to be applicable in Table 302.1, use of fill to
support slab-on-grade foundations for new buildings and structures and
substantial improvements shall not be permitted.

The approval of a consensus standard under
the IgCC is a four step process:

1. Committee
approval. This proposed revision was recently approved by the ICC Code
Development Committee.

2. Assembly
Approval. From May 19-30, all ICC members will have an opportunity to
vote on this proposal. A simple majority is needed to pass.

3. Public Comment
Period. If the Assembly approves the revision, a public comment period will
open this summer.

4. Final Vote. Only
ICC Government Member Representatives can vote.

ASFPM is asking for your help in
getting Assembly Approval for standard 402.2.3 and is urging you to
contact ICC members in your community to voice support for this
proposal ASAP! In order for the IgCC to truly be a “green”
construction code, this optional provision provides communities a mechanism to
help protect the natural and beneficial functions of the floodplains in their
community.

For more
information, contact Alan Lulloff, ASFPM’s Science Services program director,
at (608) 828-6341 or alan@floods.org.

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