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<br />INTROl1UCTION <br /> <br />1.1 B1lckaround <br /> <br />flood losses are a serious problem in the United states. <br />Some seven percent of the nation's land area is subject to <br />flooding. Such areas, located mostly along rivers, <br />lakeshores and seacoasts, contain a disproportionaltely <br />large share of the nation's population and wealth. These <br />flOOd-prone lands are found in every state. even in the arid <br />southwest where arroyos, dry streams and alluvial fans are <br />subject to flash floods. The unwise use of such lands makes <br />floods --or the threat of floods--a perennial fact of life <br />in thousands of communities. The devastating effects of <br />floods have accounted for approximately 75 percent of all <br />presidential disaster declarations and for approKimately 90 <br />percent 01 all damages from natural disasters. <br /> <br />floods cause enormous economic losses. The direct damages <br />average almost $2.2 billion annually and are increasing. <br />Additional bill~ons go yearly for disaster relief. flood <br />protection and other flood related costs. floods also cause <br />great suffering and hardship. During the period 1970-1979. <br />flood related deaths averaged 200 annually and on the <br />average. about 80,000 people are forced from their homes on <br />the flood plains each year. <br /> <br />floodolain Manaaement <br />The present concepts of flood plain management are a result <br />of the continuing adaptation of public policy to changing <br />needs and conditions. They reflect a shift in approach <br />based on the lessons of experience. <br /> <br />Prior to the 1960's, <br /> <br />the nationa} approach to dealing with <br /> <br />3 <br /> <br />