Flood Protection, Environmental Quality, and Fiscal Savings - How to Get Them All in Your Community

Flood Levels Recorded and House Elevated Above Them in Background

We just released a new study on how communities can take extra steps to deal with flooding/sea level rise, reduce their flood insurance costs, and - just maybe - increase open space and shoreline habitat!

Wetlands Watch is always looking for leverage to increase shoreline resiliency. Sea Level Rise is taking its toll and we need every tool we have to keep ahead.

With premiums increasing for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) we looked for ways to help communities support flood proofing and habitat protection at the same time. The NFIP rewards communities for taking flood protection steps above the minimum - uses the Community Rating System to evaluate floodproofing and award points toward reduced premium costs.

Trouble is the CRS evaluation is hard to map onto the wide range of options and actions that local governments take - so we did the research and produced this study. We also took a special look at environmental solutions to the flooding problems - don't want to just put up concrete walls. AND we looked at how local governments can take credit for NFIP premium reductions for things they are doing to reduce storm water pollution.