Challenges in Managing the Natural and Beneficial Resources of Floodplains Jeanne Christie Executive Director Association of State Wetland Managers Jeanne Christie Executive Director Association of State Wetland Managers

Functions and Values Wetlands WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE HABITAT FLOOD PROTECTION WATER QUALITY PROTECTION & IMPROVEMENT SURFACE WATER AND GROUNDWATER RECREATION AND AESTHETICS FOOD, JOBS, AND THE ECONOMY WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE HABITAT FLOOD PROTECTION WATER QUALITY PROTECTION & IMPROVEMENT SURFACE WATER AND GROUNDWATER RECREATION AND AESTHETICS FOOD, JOBS, AND THE ECONOMY Floodplains WATER RESOURCES VALUES – Natural Flood Storage and Conveyance. – Water Quality Maintenance – Groundwater Recharge LIVING RESOURCES AND HABITAT VALUES (wildlife) CULTURAL RESOURCES VALUES (historical significance, aesthetics, recreation) WATER RESOURCES VALUES – Natural Flood Storage and Conveyance. – Water Quality Maintenance – Groundwater Recharge LIVING RESOURCES AND HABITAT VALUES (wildlife) CULTURAL RESOURCES VALUES (historical significance, aesthetics, recreation)

Functions and Values? WetlandFloodplains

Floodplain Functions and Values

Floodplain Functions and Values?

Mapping Wetlands Boundaries of wetland vegetation Floodplains Boundaries of 100 year floodplain in urban areas

Rivers + Floodplains + Wetlands DOQQ Map Base USGS Hydrography Digital Hydric Soils from NRCS Digital NWI

Partners and Advocates Wetlands Duck Hunters Bird Watchers Tree Huggers Natural floodplain protection advocates Pollution Prevention Advocates Fishermen and Fisheries experts NIMBY (Not In MY Back Yard!) Other? Duck Hunters Bird Watchers Tree Huggers Natural floodplain protection advocates Pollution Prevention Advocates Fishermen and Fisheries experts NIMBY (Not In MY Back Yard!) Other? Floodplains Duck Hunters? Bird Watchers? Tree Huggers? Natural floodplain protection advocates? Pollution Prevention Advocates? Fishermen and Fisheries experts? NIMBY (Not In MY Back Yard!)? Other? Duck Hunters? Bird Watchers? Tree Huggers? Natural floodplain protection advocates? Pollution Prevention Advocates? Fishermen and Fisheries experts? NIMBY (Not In MY Back Yard!)? Other?

A Short History of Wetlands Policy 500,000 acres per year mid 50’s-to mid 70’s 290,000 acres per year mid 70’s to mid 80’s 60,000 acres per year mid 80’s to mid 90’s No Net Loss Achieved 2006 (if golf course ponds count) National Focus on Wetland Quality rather than Quantity 500,000 acres per year mid 50’s-to mid 70’s 290,000 acres per year mid 70’s to mid 80’s 60,000 acres per year mid 80’s to mid 90’s No Net Loss Achieved 2006 (if golf course ponds count) National Focus on Wetland Quality rather than Quantity

A Short History of Wetlands Policy National Wetland Inventory Mapping Started around 1971 Based Vegetation (Cowardin) Current Coverage Incomplete National Wetland Mapping Standard 2009 National Wetland Inventory Mapping Started around 1971 Based Vegetation (Cowardin) Current Coverage Incomplete National Wetland Mapping Standard 2009

A Short History of Wetlands Policy The Impact of Federal Programs on Wetlands Part I published 1988 The Final Report of the National Wetland Policy Forum 1988 President-Elect George Bush Endorses ‘No Net Loss’ policy 1988 Mitigation Policy, Delineation Manual, Wetlands Reserve Program (to name a few) The Impact of Federal Programs on Wetlands Part I published 1988 The Final Report of the National Wetland Policy Forum 1988 President-Elect George Bush Endorses ‘No Net Loss’ policy 1988 Mitigation Policy, Delineation Manual, Wetlands Reserve Program (to name a few)

Lessons Learned from Wetlands Identify Partners and Advocates Identify Current Incentives and Disincentives and Revise Public Policies Articulate Revisions and Inform Your Friends Pay Attention! Public Opinion and Support Must Keep Pace with Changes Be Careful What You Wish For - NNL Identify Partners and Advocates Identify Current Incentives and Disincentives and Revise Public Policies Articulate Revisions and Inform Your Friends Pay Attention! Public Opinion and Support Must Keep Pace with Changes Be Careful What You Wish For - NNL

Some Ideas 1.Principals and Guidelines Revisions 2.Proposed Floodplain Executive Order 3.National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization 4.Stafford Act 5.Climate Change Legislation 6.Levee Safety Program 7.Farm Bill Implementation (big push on WRP and WREP) 8.Other??? 1.Principals and Guidelines Revisions 2.Proposed Floodplain Executive Order 3.National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization 4.Stafford Act 5.Climate Change Legislation 6.Levee Safety Program 7.Farm Bill Implementation (big push on WRP and WREP) 8.Other???

Some Ideas Identify the Impacts of Federal Programs on Natural and Beneficial Values of the Floodplain (A study similar to the on done for wetlands) Bring together partners with similar interests in addition to the ‘likely suspects.’ Map the ‘natural’ floodplains (after we figure out what they are) Identify the Impacts of Federal Programs on Natural and Beneficial Values of the Floodplain (A study similar to the on done for wetlands) Bring together partners with similar interests in addition to the ‘likely suspects.’ Map the ‘natural’ floodplains (after we figure out what they are)

Some Ideas Document floodplain values by demonstrating overlap with wetlands, fishery habitat, etc. Develop river restoration science to reconnect rivers and floodplains (reduce erosion and improve stability and values) Talk about floodplains functions and values using terms the broader public can understand and support Document floodplain values by demonstrating overlap with wetlands, fishery habitat, etc. Develop river restoration science to reconnect rivers and floodplains (reduce erosion and improve stability and values) Talk about floodplains functions and values using terms the broader public can understand and support

What has risk got to do with it?

Providing Clean Water and Reducing Flood Risk Can Be Solved Together

But First Federal Funding and Programs Must Support Multi-Service Projects Control + Wildlife + Water Pollution Aesthetics + Flood Control + Wildlife Recreation + Groundwater Recharge + Sediment Control Wildlife + Erosion Control + Recreation Water Quality + Water Quantity Control + Wildlife + Water Pollution Aesthetics + Flood Control + Wildlife Recreation + Groundwater Recharge + Sediment Control Wildlife + Erosion Control + Recreation Water Quality + Water Quantity

Ideas Must Be Shared in Ways People Can Understand

Federal, State, and Local Programs Must Stop Supporting Actions that Increase Risk and Start Supporting Actions that Reduce Risk Examples WHIP Funding Incentives (NRCS) Stream Migration Easements (MT) Sewer Service Areas (WI) Examples WHIP Funding Incentives (NRCS) Stream Migration Easements (MT) Sewer Service Areas (WI)

Questions & Discussion Jeanne Christie (207) Jeanne Christie (207)