Flood 101: ASFPM’s Congressional Outreach Initiative Purpose – Educate new and existing key members of Congress on floodplain management related issues – Provide context for current policy discussions – Build support and champions for floodplain management programs – Maintain program resources and priority Goal – Outreach to 100% of key Congressional committee members (Tier 1) by ASFPM conference – Outreach to as many members as possible in 2011

Who are Priority Contacts? Tier 1 (most critical) – Members and staff members of specific authorizing and appropriations subcommittees – Individual members active on these issues Tier 2 – Full committee members Tier 3 – All other members of Congress

Lobbying ASFPM is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and subject to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and the Lobbying Disclosure Act. Most of ASFPM policy activities fall under exceptions to definitions of lobbying. For example, ASFPM provides invited testimony and technical assistance to executive and legislative branch officials at their request. ASFPM activities that do not fall under exceptions, and are lobbying activities, do not constitute a substantial part of its activities. The Flood 101 Initiative does not fall under any exceptions and is considered a permissible lobbying activity.

Flood 101 Documents Backgrounder – Context and extent of Federal flood programs Shows that FPM programs are multi-agency, widespread effort – Identifies specific agencies and programs – Provides basic principles of floodplain management – Use: Provide it. Use it if there is interest in larger context. Contains good background principles.

Flood 101 Documents Policy Priorities – Identifies key policy recommendations from ASFPM on current issues, including budget – Not specific to one agency although there is a lot of focus on FEMA programs – Use: Great for short presentation. Bullets state key positions. Can be handed out or used for talking points.

Flood 101 Documents Levees – Background information on broad levee issues – Provides perspective on ASFPM position that levees are a tool in the toolbox, but one of last resort – Promotes key recommendations of National Committee on Levee Safety report without being agency or committee specific. – Use: For members with particular interest on levee issues. Discuss levee risk from perspective of multiple stakeholders, ASCE “So You Live Behind a Levee.” Explain tie to NFIP and accreditation issue. Key message: FEMA is working on a solution.

Flood 101 Documents NFIP – Background and context information on NFIP – Identifies successes of program – Identifies current policy issues and key questions for Congress to consider – Use: NFIP reform considerations. Important to not let mapping issues overshadow program successes. Fiscal solvency is where Congress must make fundamental decisions.

Flood 101 Documents Chapter or State Documents – Is there a policy or legislative policy brochure or handout? – Provide state specific examples and issues – Provide key state contacts: State Floodplain Manager, SHMO, Chapter contacts

Setting up and Conducting Meetings Scheduling – Meeting with staff/Members best (whether in DC or in state/district), phone conversation next best, s and letters OK if all else fails – Three documents to assist – If going to DC, ASFPM can provide resources to assist in scheduling meetings, ASFPM Washington Liaison, Merrie Inderfurth Give Merrie as much lead time as possible

Setting up and Conducting Meetings Conducting – If face to face, prepare for 30 min meeting. Could go for an hour or more, may need to shorten to 15 minutes. Be prepared for all situations! – Give “paper.” Have copies of handouts to leave with staffer/Member – Supplement all information with local examples if possible, within state good, within district better! – Conduct with thought that there will be follow-up, remember you are beginning a relationship

Key Policy Discussions Levees and levee accreditation – Issue that FEMA is developing options for refined mapping and identification – There is risk behind levees. Both residual and catastrophic. Others say this is so (ASCE, FEMA, USACE) – Not good public policy to delay maps or actions such as mandatory purchase that help mitigate risk – Risk MAP program will provide risk assessment data that will help folks better understand risk in leveed areas – No mandatory purchase in high risk areas = less financially solvent program

Follow-up Provide promised information Provide key state contact information, state/local experts to weigh in on issues Follow-up with ASFPM to identify who/when contact was made, summary of issues and concerns presented so we can track Make future contact. This is the first step in building a relationship!