Develop a Funding Approach

DISASTERRECOVERYTODAY.COM D I S A S T E R R E C O V E R Y T O D A Y Source: www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=23282 Staying Current with FEMA Regulations FEMA released this controversial policy in February 2006 regarding Advisory Base Flood Elevations (ABFE). The information taken from FEMA’s web site demonstrates how a catastrophic disaster impacts an ever-changing political and regulatory landscape. Previously, regulations required a formal adoptive process before the ABFE could be enforced. New Policy Links Reconstruction Dollars to Advisory Flood Elevations WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is encouraging building back stronger and safer after major disasters in communities nationwide. FEMA announced on February 6, 2006, that FEMA-funded mitigation and public infrastructure recovery projects – including those in heavily impacted areas of the Gulf Coast region – are to be tied to new, higher floodplain elevations updated by FEMA using the most accurate flood risk data available. “FEMA has a responsibility to protect lives and property, and to ensure that disaster rebuilding efforts use the best data available. We also have a responsibility to ensure that Federal tax dollars are spent wisely and cost-effectively. It makes no sense to rebuild using outdated data,” said David Maurstad, FEMA’s Acting Director for Mitigation and Federal Insurance Administrator. Communities recovering from disasters in Louisiana, Mississippi and elsewhere will be required to use the new elevations when available. Called Advisory Base Flood Elevations (ABFEs), – the height at which there is a one percent or greater chance of flooding in a given year – the rebuilding standards will be required for all FEMA-funded mitigation and public infrastructure grant-based recovery program projects. This includes the Public Assistance Program, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program, Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, and through the implementation of Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management. The FEMA grants tied to ABFEs are those for the repair and rebuilding of public infrastructure projects such as schools, public safety stations, libraries and other shared community infrastructure. Individual homeowners, while encouraged to build back to ABFEs, are not impacted by this FEMA policy unless using a FEMA mitigation grant in the rebuilding process. Homeowners should consult their community ordinances for rebuilding guidance.… In cases when FEMA funds are not involved, existing NFIP standards will apply. However, FEMA strongly encourages communities to use the ABFEs, when available, in making decisions about reconstruction and elevation requirements across all rebuilding efforts. By applying stricter requirements, communities can ensure a greater level of protection to homes and businesses from future severe storms. CORPORATE OFFICE 126 Business Park Drive Utica, New York 13502 1-800-382-2468 Outside U.S. (315) 797-3035 FAX: (315) 272-2054 [email protected] PUBLISHER Ronald A. Cuccaro, SPPA EDITOR Sheila E. Salvatore WEB ADDRESSES www.adjustersinternational.com www.disasterrecoverytoday.com DISASTER RECOVERY TODAY is published as a public service by Adjusters International, Inc. It is provided for general information and is not intended to replace professional insurance, legal and/or financial advice for specific cases. DRC05-3 4005 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Copyright © 2007 Adjusters International, Inc. Adjusters International ® and the AI logo are registered trademarks of Adjusters International, Inc. All rights reserved.

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