July 24, 2018
Evaluation of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers PPA Process
By News Editor
The National Academy, a congressionally-chartered, independent nonprofit, is conducting one-hour interviews via telephone. Pamela Haze, project director at the National Academy of Public Administration, would like to talk with representatives of non-federal entities who have had experience working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on partnership projects (more specifically Project Partnership Agreements (PPAs) or
June 27, 2018
Your Voice is Needed to Help Develop a Community Flood Risk Guidebook
By News Editor
Your Voice is Needed to Help Develop a Community Flood Risk Guidebook Written by Tim Trautman, P.E., CFM, Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Storm Water Services Program Manager & ASFPM’s Mitigation Pod Facilitator Our profession recognizes hazards are an act of God and nature. We live in a beautiful, dynamic and sometimes violent world. However, our modern society has
June 18, 2018
ASFPM Comments on Draft National Mitigation Investment Strategy
By News Editor
The Association of State Floodplain Managers, with its 18,000 members nationwide and 36 chapters, is pleased to submit comments on the draft National Mitigation Investment Strategy. In order to protect life and property and reduce the unsustainable expense of flood disasters to the federal taxpayer, we must improve the coordination and effectiveness of mitigation investments.
June 18, 2018
Two Florida Documents that may be of interest if you’re attending ASFPM’s Thursday Plenary
By News Editor
The Pilot Program will be discussed during the Plenary Panel session on Thursday morning, June 21 in Phoenix. The Toolkit was produced by the state of Florida and reflects Florida’s experience during Hurricanes Hermine, Matthew and Irma. It has also been the subject of a day-long workshop conducted by the state, FEMA Region and FEMA
June 7, 2018
Credit Downgrade Threat as a Non-regulatory Driver for Flood Risk Mitigation and Sea Level Rise Adaptation
By News Editor
Credit Downgrade Threat as a Non-regulatory Driver for Flood Risk Mitigation and Sea Level Rise Adaptation John A. Miller, a long-time ASFPM member and Master of Environmental Studies-Environmental Policy at the University of Pennsylvania, recently published “ Credit Downgrade Threat as a Non-regulatory Driver for Flood Risk Mitigation and Sea Level Rise Adaptation .” In…
May 22, 2018
New Resilience Organization Established within FEMA May 28
By News Editor
New Resilience Organization Established within FEMA May 28 Eric Heighberger, FEMA chief of staff, announced that as of May 28, the administrator is establishing a new resilience organization within FEMA, combining the National Preparedness Directorate, Grant Programs Directorate, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, National Continuity Programs and other Protection and National Preparedness Offices. He said
April 23, 2018
Proposed bill would have USGS take over responsibility for the nation’s flood maps
By News Editor
Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) recently introduced H.R. 5559, a bill that would transfer “functions related to the preparation of flood maps” from FEMA to USGS. The USGS prepares some general maps of flooding, while FEMA manages flood insurance rate maps, which define areas where communities must regulate development in order to make flood insurance available
April 16, 2018
FEMA considering new acquisition program direct to property owners
By News Editor
ASFPM wants to alert you to a notice in the Federal Register where FEMA is seeking comments on the update of several forms related to the acquisition of structures/property in conjunction with its Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs, and on FEMA’s proposal to exercise its authority to start an acquisition program directly with property owners (the
April 11, 2018
Flood Insurance Advocate Releases His Annual Report
By News Editor
FEMA released the 2017 Annual Report of the Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate. The report is intended to increase transparency, and support the ongoing improvements to the National Flood Insurance Program with the goal of reducing its complexity. In 2017, the OFIA identified eight primary policyholder and property owner frustrations, which include recommendations that
April 2, 2018
USGS Publishes Bulletin 17C, “Guidelines for Determining Flood Flow Frequency”
By News Editor
Accurate estimates of flood frequency and magnitude are a key component of any effective nationwide flood risk management and flood damage abatement program. In addition to accuracy, methods for estimating flood risk must be uniformly and consistently applied because management of the nation’s water and related land resources is a collaborative effort involving multiple actors,