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<br />for farmers to buy higher levels of crop insurance in the future; a 25-35% premium discount on buy- <br />up coverage, The year 2000 budget provided yet another $400 million for a one-year crop insurance <br />buy-up incentive, <br /> <br />. The ASFPM recommends that agricultural properties subject to repetitive flooding be denied <br />subsidized insurance and flood disaster payments if their owners refuse the V,S, Department of <br />Agriculture's offers to purchase permanent easements, <br /> <br />. Heavily subsidized crop insurance is counterproductive because it discourages agricultural <br />producers from converting marginal agricultural land that is subject to repeated flooding into <br />more appropriate uses-either being left open or planted in alternative crops, This disincentive <br />to wise floodplain use should be discontinued, <br /> <br />. Disaster assistance should be reduced or withheld if crop insurance is not carried by the fanner, <br /> <br />CONCLUSION <br /> <br />This report has described some of the key changes in federal floodplain management policy and <br />programs over the last several years, and has identified those improvements that would help the <br />nation move toward a future that includes sustainable floodplain lands and disaster-resilient <br />communities, The ASFPM has also tried to point out herein specific, achievable ways in which each <br />deficiency can be remedied and how existing successes--{)f which there are many-ean be shared, <br />expanded, and capitalized upon, The ASFPM believes that the implementation of these <br />recommendations will help us all cultivate a holistic perspective, spread responsibility more equitably, <br />and foster sensible attitudes toward the use of hazardous and environmentally sensitive lands. These <br />action items will be the focus of ASFPM effort over the next five years or so, in our work with state <br />and local govemments, federal agencies, the insurance industry, individual professionals in floodplain <br />management and related fields, Congress, and our many other colleagues and partners in both the <br />public and private sectors, We invite all those who are dedicated to the future well-being of this <br />nation to join us in working toward an enhanced level of resiliency in the face of flooding, reduced <br />overall flood losses, and a society with a sustainable relationship to its riparian and coastal lands, <br /> <br />Association of State Floodplain Managers <br /> <br />-46- <br /> <br />National Flood Programs in Review 2000 <br />