Uniting Communities in Flood Resilience: A Decade of Progress and New Opportunities

Wetlands Watch is proud to celebrate a decade of groundbreaking work by the Virginia Community Rating System (CRS) Workgroup. Recognizing the challenges faced by under-resourced Virginia communities, our regional efforts have significantly bolstered their ability to design, implement, and fund key floodplain management programs throughout the state. 

In the Virginia CRS Workgroup, both newcomers and long-time experts in floodplain management engage in a dynamic exchange of insights, questions, and mutual support to bolster the safety and health of their communities. This collaborative approach not only promotes a vibrant exchange of ideas but also deepens the connections among members, fostering a committed and supportive network that thrives through collective assistance.

Over the course of the last decade, our work has enabled Virginia communities to reduce flood risk through more restrictive land use ordinances, more protective building codes, stronger stormwater management standards, and more. The workgroup helps many communities leverage FEMA’s CRS program as a tool not only to reduce flood risk, but also to lower flood insurance premiums for Virginia residents.

This year, we were invited by FEMA Headquarters’ National Mitigation Planning Program to share our expertise with a national audience. Our presentation focused on how to integrate hazard mitigation planning efforts with the floodplain management planning requirements of FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS). This integration, while a bit technical, helps communities maximize federal funding for their floodplain management efforts, thereby freeing up tax dollars for other projects.

Receiving an invitation from FEMA to present nationally is a significant opportunity for a small nonprofit like Wetlands Watch. It acknowledges our proficiency and achievements in floodplain management and climate resilience, indicating that our methods and solutions are applicable not just in Virginia, but across the nation. This recognition broadens our influence, opening doors to new partnerships, enhancing funding opportunities, and potentially expanding our impact beyond Virginia. Most importantly, it supports community efforts nationwide to bolster adaptation in the face of climate change.

Looking ahead to the next decade, Wetlands Watch is committed to integrating flood resilience efforts in ways that maximize benefits for Virginia communities, and is thrilled to share our techniques and approaches with other states. We recognize the need for more integrated local planning in regions facing increased risk, and are actively working with federal and state programs to ensure that these needs are met.