COMPREHENSIVE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT : Promoting Wise Uses of Floodplains CA Department of Water Resources/ CIFMCG Workshop July 2006

Comprehensive Floodplain Management Workshop NFIP Overview

Workshop Modules Comprehensive FPM Comprehensive FPM NFIP Overview NFIP Overview FPM No Adverse Impact Strategies FPM No Adverse Impact Strategies Natural Floodplain Functions and Societal Values Natural Floodplain Functions and Societal Values Flood Management Economic Analysis Flood Management Economic Analysis Ecosystem Evaluation Methods Ecosystem Evaluation Methods Case Study Case Study Technical and Financial Assistance Technical and Financial Assistance

NFIP Overview  Background  Agency Roles  Hazard Identification  Flood Insurance Rate Zones  Floodplain Management Requirements  Multi-Hazard Planning  Improving NFIP Effectiveness  Community Rating System

NFIP Overview  Background  Agency Roles  Hazard Identification  Flood Insurance Rate Zones  Floodplain Management Requirements  Multi-Hazard Planning  Improving NFIP Effectiveness  Community Rating System

Background The National Flood Insurance Program was established by Congress in 1968 to: The National Flood Insurance Program was established by Congress in 1968 to:  Protect lives and property  Reduce financial burden for flood damage assistance Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the NFIP Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the NFIP Almost 50,000 communities in the U.S. participate in the NFIP Almost 50,000 communities in the U.S. participate in the NFIP Over 98 percent of California’s communities participate in the NFIP Over 98 percent of California’s communities participate in the NFIP

NFIP Overview  Background  Agency Roles  Hazard Identification  Flood Insurance Rate Zones  Floodplain Management Requirements  Multi-Hazard Planning  Improving NFIP Effectiveness  Community Rating System

Agency Roles: Community Adopt floodplain management regulations that meet or exceed NFIP standards and requirements Adopt floodplain management regulations that meet or exceed NFIP standards and requirements Provide information to residents on flood hazards, floodplain map data, flood insurance and proper construction methods Provide information to residents on flood hazards, floodplain map data, flood insurance and proper construction methods Monitor floodplain development by issuing permits and conducting inspections Monitor floodplain development by issuing permits and conducting inspections

Agency Roles: State Ensure that communities have the legal authority necessary to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations Ensure that communities have the legal authority necessary to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations Establish minimum state regulatory requirements consistent with the NFIP (model FPM ordinance) Establish minimum state regulatory requirements consistent with the NFIP (model FPM ordinance) Provide technical and specialized assistance to local governments Provide technical and specialized assistance to local governments Assess community compliance with minimum NFIP criteria Assess community compliance with minimum NFIP criteria

Agency Roles: State DWR Floodplain Management Branch DWR Floodplain Management Branch  Ricardo Pineda, Chief (916)  Bill Hom (916)  Maria Lorenzo Lee (916)  Steve Cowdin (DPLA) (916)

Agency Roles: Federal (FEMA) Assist in flood risk identification (mapping) Assist in flood risk identification (mapping) Make available affordable flood insurance Make available affordable flood insurance Establish development/building standards Establish development/building standards Assist the state NFIP coordinating agencies Assist the state NFIP coordinating agencies Assess community compliance with minimum NFIP criteria Assess community compliance with minimum NFIP criteria Advise local officials responsible for administering the ordinance Advise local officials responsible for administering the ordinance

Agency Roles Government agencies should establish partnerships with private sector: Government agencies should establish partnerships with private sector:  Public  Lenders  Insurance agents  Real estate agents  Appraisers  Consulting engineers  Surveyors

NFIP Overview  Background  Agency Roles  Hazard Identification  Flood Insurance Rate Zones  Floodplain Management Requirements  Multi-Hazard Planning  Improving NFIP Effectiveness  Community Rating System

Hazard Identification FEMA conducts a Flood Insurance Study (FIS) to appraise a community’s flood problems FEMA conducts a Flood Insurance Study (FIS) to appraise a community’s flood problems  Final report—written text, stream profiles, figures, tables, etc.  Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)—shows of flood hazard areas, flood insurance risk zones (ex: A, AE, V, or VE), base flood elevations, floodways and other related information

Hazard Identification Base flood Base flood  A flood that has a one-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year  Referred to as the “100-year” flood Base floodplain Base floodplain  The land covered by the floodwaters of the “base flood”  Referred to as the “Special Flood Hazard Area” (SFHA) Base flood elevation (BFE) Base flood elevation (BFE)  The water surface elevation of the base flood

FIRMs For more information on FIRMs, visit FEMA’s website:

Hazard Identification FLOODWAY 1 FT MAXIMUM SURCHARGE

NFIP Overview  Background  Agency Roles  Hazard Identification  Flood Insurance Rate Zones  Floodplain Management Requirements  Multi-Hazard Planning  Improving NFIP Effectiveness  Community Rating System

Flood Insurance Rate Zones. Zone A The 100-year base floodplain. There are six types of A Zones: A The base floodplain mapped by approximate methods, i.e., BFEs are not determined. This is often called an unnumbered A Zone or an Approximate A Zone. A These are known as numbered A Zones (e.g., A7 or A14). This is the base floodplain where the FIRM shows a BFE (old format). AE The base floodplain where base flood elevations are provided. AE Zones are now used on new format FIRMs instead of A1 – A30 Zones. AO The base floodplain with sheet flow, ponding, or shallow flooding. Base flood depths (feet above ground) are provided. AH Shallow flooding base floodplain. BFEs are provided. A99 Area to be protected from the base flood by levees or Federal Flood Protection Systems under construction. BFEs are not determined. AR The base floodplain that results from the decertification of a previously accredited flood protection system that is in the process of being restored to provide a 100-year or greater level of flood protection.

Flood Insurance Rate Zones Zone V and Zone VE V VE The coastal area subject to a velocity hazard (wave action) where BFEs are not determined on the FIRM. The coastal area subject to a velocity hazard (wave action) where BFEs are provided on the FIRM. Zone B and Zone X Area of moderate flood hazard, usually the area between the limits of the 100-year and 500-year floods. B Zones are also used to designate base floodplains of lesser hazards, such as areas protected by levees from the 100-year flood, or shallow flooding areas with average depths of less than one foot or drainage areas less than 1 square mile. Zone C and Zone X (unshaded) Area of minimal flood hazard, usually depicted on FIRMs as above the 500- year flood level. Zone C may have ponding and local drainage problems that don’t warrant a detailed study or designation as base floodplain. Zone X is the area determined to be outside the 500-year flood and protected by levee from the 100-year flood. Zone D Area of undetermined flood hazards.

NFIP Overview  Background  Agency Roles  Hazard Identification  Flood Insurance Rate Zones  Floodplain Management Requirements  Multi-Hazard Planning  Improving NFIP Effectiveness  Community Rating System

FPM Regulations To participate in the NFIP, a community must: To participate in the NFIP, a community must:  Adopt and enforce FPM ordinance  Require permits for floodplain development  Estimate flood elevations that were not determined by FEMA  Require residential structures to be elevated at or above the 100-year flood elevation (BFE)  Conduct field inspections and cite violations  Establish variance procedures  Advise FEMA when map updates are needed

NFIP Overview  Background  Agency Roles  Hazard Identification  Flood Insurance Rate Zones  Floodplain Management Requirements  Multi-Hazard Planning  Improving NFIP Effectiveness  Community Rating System

Multi-Hazard Planning Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000  Established a pre-disaster hazard mitigation program  Established new requirements for the national post- disaster Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)  States and communities must have an approved multi-hazard mitigation plan in place before receiving post-disaster HGMP funds

Multi-Hazard Planning More info: More info: FEMA “State and Local Mitigation Planning How to Guides”

NFIP Overview  Background  Agency Roles  Hazard Identification  Flood Insurance Rate Zones  Floodplain Management Requirements  Multi-Hazard Planning  Improving NFIP Effectiveness  Community Rating System

Improving NFIP Effectiveness Despite successes, there are concerns with the NFIP: Despite successes, there are concerns with the NFIP:  It only sets “minimum” standards  It focuses upon how to build in floodplains vs. how to minimize future damage caused by development  It ignores changing conditions  It ignores adverse impacts to existing properties  It undervalues natural floodplain functions and societal values

Improving NFIP Effectiveness Go beyond “minimum requirements” Go beyond “minimum requirements” Join the existing Community Rating System Join the existing Community Rating System Adopt ASFPM “No Adverse Impact” Strategies Adopt ASFPM “No Adverse Impact” Strategies Integrate FPM planning with community general planning process Integrate FPM planning with community general planning process

NFIP Overview  Background  Agency Roles  Hazard Identification  Flood Insurance Rate Zones  Floodplain Management Requirements  Multi-Hazard Planning  Improving NFIP Effectiveness  Community Rating System

Community Rating System Reduces flood insurance rates for communities that implement activities above NFIP minimum standards Reduces flood insurance rates for communities that implement activities above NFIP minimum standards Maximum premium reduction—45% Maximum premium reduction—45% 61 CA communities participate in CRS 61 CA communities participate in CRS CA 2004 premium savings--$9.7 million CA 2004 premium savings--$9.7 million

Community Rating System CRS categories of activities CRS categories of activities  Series 300: Public information  Series 400: Mapping and regulations  Series 500: Flood damage reduction  Series 600: Flood preparedness More CRS info: More CRS info:

To Summarize… The NFIP sets minimum FPM standards The NFIP sets minimum FPM standards Communities are encouraged to go beyond minimum standards Communities are encouraged to go beyond minimum standards  For example, the state of California recommends that lowest floor be elevated TWO feet above the base flood elevation  See Model ordinance and other NFIP training at: Join the Community Rating System Join the Community Rating System Adopt No Adverse Impact strategies Adopt No Adverse Impact strategies

What’s Next? ASFPM No Adverse Impact strategies ASFPM No Adverse Impact strategies