ALL HAZARDS MANAGEMENT and MITIGATION IN A NEW BUREAUCRACY NATURAL

ALL HAZARDS MANAGEMENT and MITIGATION IN A NEW BUREAUCRACY NATURAL HAZARDS WORKSHOP JULY 14, 2003 presented by Larry Larson, CFM Executive Director Association of State Floodplain Managers 1

Association of Professionals 5,500 members 16 Chapters Several pending chapters / state Associations 2

ASFPM Mission Mitigate the losses, costs, and human suffering caused by flooding. and Protect the natural and beneficial functions of floodplains. 3

ASFPM Activities Promoted hazard mitigation from beginning Advocate for improved mapping & Mitigation Certification of floodplain managers--FEMA, NOAA, COE, NRCS---and EMI for training Input to Congress and Administration Fed budgets,NFIP & Disaster Mitigation Acts, WRDA Internationally recognized 4

FLOOD HAZARDS HISTORY in U.S. 1930--60’s---mostly structural NFIP--HUD from 1968 to 1979 First major non-structural national mitigation program Tried to implement nation-wide, no pilots FEMA from 1979 to 2002 Both Floodplain Management and Disaster Mitigation DHS since 2002 5

DISASTER ACT HISTORY 1980’s and 90’s Issue--should we include technological hazards, like chemical spills--planning and implementation Response significantly enhanced in 90’s--rapid deployment of resources--even before the disaster In 1988, for first time Disaster Act recognized we should not rebuild only as was, but mitigate the structure while rebuilding 6

MITIGATION PROGRAMS HISTORY Mitigation planning was pushed to all hazards, but funding for implementation usually came from specific hazard---usually post disaster 1994 increases to post-disaster mitigation funding (impetus from Andrew and 93 floods) 15% of most disaster costs 75/25 cost share Great incentive for citizens, communities and states to participate 7

HOW ARE NATURAL HAZARDS FARING NOW? Floodplain map modernization continues to be a budget priority--added 200 M in FY04 Map Implementation slow--some delays related to DHS added layers for approval Mitigation funding mixed bag. OMB continues to equate pre-and post disaster HMGP (post-D) cut from 15% to zero In DHS, FEMA has many layers for approval 8

WHAT MIGHT BE THE THREATS TO NATURAL HAZARDS IN DHS Primary Mission HUD--primary mission was housing DHS--primary mission is terrorism Public and Political Recognition FEMA name issue--will we lose decades of branding? FEMA still alive in this Administration, but what happens with future--Adm and Congress SCS/NRCS example---Jamie Whitten was Champion 9

HOW MIGHT ALL OF US ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES IN THE DHS ENVIRONMENT? More sophistication in educating Congress and the Administration Hill members and staff, OMB overwhelmed by all the programs in DHS How to present natural hazards message in meaningful way to staff and others? Example: No Adverse Impact 10

FLOODS---WHERE ARE WE ? The NFIP requirements reduces flood losses by over 1 billion/yr Most communities adopt minimum NFIP The NFIP standards for development have remained essentially constant for 30 years How can we move the nation beyond this? and Why? 11

Trends in Flood Damages 6 billion annually Four-fold increase from early 1900s Per Capita Damages increased by more than a factor of 2.5 in the previous century in real dollar terms 2.2 2.0 2.9 2.4 3.4 2.2 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 3.3 1980s 4.9 5.6 1990s 1 2 3 4 5 6 BILLIONS (adjusted to 1999 dollars) 12

What is Influencing the Trend? Increased Property at Risk Current policy is a compromise: Promotes intensification in risk areas Ignores changing conditions Ignores adverse impacts to existing properties Undervalues natural floodplain functions FEMA trying to address with CRS, etc 13

No Adverse Impact Approach Activities that could adversely impact flood damage to another property or community will be allowed only to the extent that the impacts are mitigated or have been accounted for within an adopted communitybased plan. 14

through communities and the private sector NAI is a concept/policy/strategy that broadens one's focus from the built environment to include how changes to the built environment potentially impact other properties. NAI broadens property rights by protecting the property rights of those that would be adversely impacted by the actions of others. 15

Federal Role Federal government Update Federal Executive Orders--set example Adopt policies with incentives to encourage local actions that prevent future disasters Better Disaster Cost share Local spent to prevent count toward non-fed share of future disasters 16

Actions Within DHS FEMA Retain the name and branding Empower the agency to act quickly in support not only of disasters, but grants for mitigation, mapping and all other activities 17

Natural Hazards in DHS No one argues with having a program or agency to address terrorism in the U.S. The issue is maintaining and improving the nation’s ability to reduce disaster costs and to mitigate from day/day natural hazards for more information contact: The Association of State Floodplain Managers 608-274-0123 Email: [email protected] Web Site: www.floods.org 18