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. Permanent authority for nonstructural projects should be established, Although nonstructural alternatives are theoretically feasible under current authorities, the non-structural projects brought to fruition to date have been pushed by knowledgeable individuals fully committed to their implementation, Internal, systemic biases need to be removed from program guidelines and benefit/cost analyses so that nonstructural alternatives can move forward on their own merits, Natural and Cultural Resources The legacy of our early river communities has helped defme American history and is an important source of local pride, These same riparian zones continue to provide outstanding habitat for many animals, fish, and plants, Floodplain management policies need to recognize and incorporate these values both for the reduction in flood damage provided by open-space floodplains and also for value of the basic resources inherent to these natural areas. An investigation of the natural and beneficial functions of floodplains in relation to flood loss reduction was mandated by Section 562 of the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, The task force directed to conduct the study prepared a draft report, Flood Loss Reduction,' The Natural and Beneficial Functions of Floodplains, The report is written for Congress and the public, Part of the draft report focuses on protecting the natural functions of floodplains, and thereby reducing flood losses, by bringing together responsible officials, landowners, and the technical expertise necessary to make informed decisions about floodplain activities. To fully integrate these values into flood policy will take time, but several steps can further the process, . Buffer zones along rivers, streams, and smaller waterways should be encouraged. These zones are valuable land management practices that allow riparian areas to remain in a natural or undisturbed condition for some distance from the edge of a watercourse. They are effective in improving water quality, controlling erosion, retarding flood flows, and enhancing habitat. A narrow strip of dense grass traps sediment for surface flow, while a wider strip in deep rooted grass and trees, for example, can improve subsurface flow, protect the quality of groundwater and surface water, and provide wildlife habitat. . Natural resource economists should be challenged to develop better methods for quantifYing the economic benefits of natural and cultural resources, Those methods need then to be widely adopted and applied, . Locally developed comprehensive watershed management plans that incorporate multiple resource values are needed, Unfortunately, watershed management has not taken this direction in past or current federal policy and instead has tended to focus almost exclusively on water quality, To facilitate these comprehensive plans, the federal govemment needs to encourage communities to use a common planning process, perhaps following the model of the National Park Service's Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. . A national riparian zone policy is needed to clarifY the importance of, and the steps needed to protect, maintain, and restore the areas along our rivers and streams so that they can not only provide their natural benefits to today's population but also survive as sustainable ecosystems into future generations. A first step would be recognizing the multiple benefits of riparian zones for habitat, water quality, flood protection, recreation, cultural resource protection, and others. This would help to shape program interaction and clarifY the need for holistic management. Association of State Floodplain Managers -8- National Flood Programs in Review 2000