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Federal News Mitigation Success Stories Otero County is Colorado's contribution to latest edition of Mitigation Success Stories published annually by the Association of State Floodplain Managers ( ASFPM). The CWCB's Flood Protection Section served as state program manager for the residential acquisition program in north La Junta in 1999 -2001. Fifty three flood prone structures were acquired and demolished for open space. For over two decades, mitigation activities have been implemented across the country to save lives, reduce property damage and lessen the need for recovery funding. In many cases mitigation success has been achieved following devastating disasters, when local officials and the public have realized the need to effect change in their community. Many efforts to reduce flood damage in the nation include FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Flood Mitigation Assistance Program. FEMA's funding of local acquisition programs have relocated 30,000 flood prone structures since 1993. Certain structural projects have their place as well, such as dams, levees and locks. More and more, communities are mitigating flood damages through a combination of approaches. Despite 75 years of federal flood control and 30 years of the NFIP, average annual flood losses are currently estimated at $6 billion. Mitigation Success Stories - Edition 4 showcases examples of natural hazard mitigation activities from 39 communities in 24 states. The examples included in this document can serve as models for communities and can provide decision - makers With information about how reduce hazards. Mitigation Success Stories, Edition 4 was released in January 2002 and is available free on the ASFPM web site at www.floods.org. Disaster Mitigation Act 2000 Implementation No Adverse Impact 0_;i� Annual flood losses in the United States continue to worsen despite 75 years of federal flood control and 30 years of the National Flood Insurance Program. According to the Association of State Floodplain Managers ( ASFPM), this trend is unnecessary, and is due to federal policies that: (1) encouraged at -risk development (2) insufficiently considered the impact of development on other properties and on future flood and erosion potential (3) justified flood control projects based on a benefit -to -cost ratio that favors an intensification of land -uses within floodplains, and (4) engendered an unhealthy reliance on federal resources by state and local governments. The ASFPM proposes a new "no adverse impact floodplain" approach that shifts the focus from the techniques and standards used for flood prone development to how adverse impacts resulting from those land use changes can be planned for and mitigated. The proposed policy promotes fairness, responsibility, community involvement and planning, sustainable development, and local land use management, while not infringing on private property rights. For more information visit the ASFPM website at www.floods.ora. FEMA Flood Maps Online Customers can now place orders for flood mapping products online at www.webl.msc.fema.gov. This web site allows for quick credit card ordering or you can speak to a representative at (800) 358- 9616. Map store products available online include: FEMA issued flood maps, the The Disaster Mitigation Act (DMA) of 2000 strengthens the Robert T. Stafford Act which includes initiatives such as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). One of the first requirements of DMA 2000's implementation will be a state and local mitigation planning requirement. On February 26, FEMA published its Interim Final Rule in the federal register which, among other things, establishes a new requirement for local mitigation plans. The Act also provides a framework for linking pre - and post- disaster mitigation planning and initiatives with public and private interests to ensure an integrated, comprehensive approach to disaster loss reduction. In effect, the rule establishes state and local planning criteria so that these jurisdictions can begin the hazard NFIP manual, flood insurance studies, the NFIP Community __- Status Book, Letter of Map Change CDs, Flood Map Status Information System Reports, and Q3 digital flood data. mitigation planning process. Section 322 of the Act requires local governments to have an approved plan to be eligible to receive an HMGP project grant. However, this requirement will not fully take effect until November 1, 2003. FEMA Regional Directors may grant an exception to this requirement in extenuating circumstances and grant up to an additional year for a plan to be completed following the award of a project grant. Plans will be required to address all natural hazards in a community and to meet the minimum requirements of all the different FEMA mitigation programs. Local responsibilities regarding plan criteria and maintenance are contained in the Interim Final Rule. The CWCB will assist and provide more clarification to any NFIP community that is interested in developing and adopting such a plan. For more information, please contact Mark Matulik at the CWCB at (303) 866 -4805.