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 4, 2020
Digital Coast Act Passes, Heads to President’s Desk
By News Editor
The Digital Coast Act (S. 1069) was introduced by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to inform and improve local state, regional, and federal capacities to manage the nation’s coastal regions. Its passage represents a major victory for ASFPM and its partners and a hopeful ending to a long legislative journey.
November 11, 2020
Senate Appropriations Bill Preserves $263M in Flood Map Funding
By News Editor
The omnibus still needs to be negotiated, passed by Congress, and signed by the President, but this is a very positive development. We had been led to believe that flood map funding was at risk of being cut in the Senate and immediately swung into action.
October 20, 2020
ASFPM Comments on FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance and Planning Regulations
By News Editor
ASFPM’s Flood Mitigation Committee has responded to a request for comments on FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance and Planning Regulations.
October 12, 2020
Bill Seeks to Create New National Disaster Safety Board
By News Editor
Modeled after the NTSB, the National Disaster Safety Board would serve as an independent board to investigate major national disasters and make policy recommendations to all levels of government on how to improve the resiliency of communities across the country.
October 1, 2020
Bipartisan Flood Resiliency and Taxpayer Savings Act Introduced
By News Editor
The Flood Resiliency and Taxpayer Savings Act offers a common sense, good government, approach that can reduce taxpayer burden by better safeguarding our communities and infrastructure from future storms. ASFPM was among the 32 organizations that signed a letter urging Congress to pass the legislation.
July 15, 2020
NEPA Changes Take Nation in Wrong Direction
By News Editor
The disappointing decision by the Trump Administration today to change the environmental review process for infrastructure projects will make the United States less able to tackle the climate crisis, according to a joint statement from the American Planning Association (APA) and the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM). Kurt Christiansen, FAICP, APA President, and Chad…
March 9, 2020
Flood Mapping for the Nation
By News Editor
Since 1969, the US has invested $6.6 billion ($10.6 billion in 2019 dollars) in flood hazard mapping, resulting in nearly $22 billion in losses avoided. But we are far from completing the job, as only 1/3 of the nation’s streams have currently been mapped.
October 10, 2019
House Committee on Climate Crisis Seeks Input on Report to Congress
By News Editor
The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis will develop a report to Congress suggesting how our nation can help advance a clean energy economy and prepare our nation for the climate change effects. The Select Committee on the Climate Crisis has received recommendations from young climate leaders, policy specialists, business leaders and state and
September 6, 2019
ASFPM and 33 other groups urge White House to develop flood-ready standard
By News Editor
ASFPM joined 33 other groups in a letter to the White House, urging the Administration to develop a flood-ready standard to protect federal infrastructure investments from the devastating impacts and costs of flood-related disasters. Two years ago, the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard, an executive order meant to protect taxpayer dollars spent in flood-prone areas,