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<br /> <br />FOREWORD <br /> <br />The Multi-objective Flood Mitigation Plan presented in this document and the process that was used <br /> <br />)repare it represent historic steps in emergency management ill this country. The planning workshop held in Parker, <br /> <br />th Dakota, in June 1994, and this plan are historic in two ways-first, because mitigation is the future of emergency <br />management; and second, because the future will begin with local involvement and initiative. <br /> <br />PAS T the Federal Emergency <br />lent Agency and other organi- <br />IVe responded to disasters, pro- <br />lSsistance to people in terms of <br />and shelter. These things are <br />mt, and we are not going to <br />e will be flooding and other <br />ers every year. If we do nothing <br />lide the same band-aid answers <br />e the immediate problems, but <br />will come back. Mitigation <br />:hat we are going to learn from <br />-in allowing conditions that <br />lisasters to happen-and that <br />ing to repeat them. It is doing <br />19 land for different, less disas- <br />poses; coming up with more <br />tions of funds; making sure we <br />railable options; and planning <br />'ange planning is the way to <br />iter-recovery-disaster cycle. It is <br />sure that the Vermillion Basin <br /> <br />and other areas throughout the country will <br />be able to withstand future flooding without <br />the kind of economic distress, endangerment <br />to life, and environmental degradation that <br />we have seen all too often in the past. <br />The second historic aspect is that, rather <br />than having been drawn up by a few people, <br />this plan was generated through a completely <br />open, cooperative process right in the Vermillion <br />Basin. For one week about ISO people voiced <br />their concerns, expressed their ideas, and <br />argued their points of view to come up with a <br />range of options for alleviating future flood <br />problems and making the Basin an even bet- <br />ter place to live. They were people from local, <br />county, state, and federal agencies of all types, <br />people from charitable and nonprofit organi- <br />zations, business leaders, farmers, landown- <br />ers, and other Basin residents who are ready <br />to work toward preserving and improving <br />their quality of life and freeing themselves <br />from chronic concern over flooding. <br /> <br />This was a breakthrough event not only <br />for the Vermillion Basin and places like it, but <br />also for those of us in federal government. We <br />can change the public perception of govern- <br />ment as merely bureaucrats primarily inter- <br />ested in job preservation through perpetuat- <br />ing the paperwork and underlying problems. <br />FEMA, as a laboratory for the reinvention of <br />government, is trying to set an example for <br />other agencies. We are looking for partners <br />among the federal, state, and local govern- <br />ments, and the private sector, in doing a bet- <br />ter, more efficient job at everything we try. The <br />workshop, this plan, and the cooperative work <br />between FEMA, the National Park Service, <br />the State of South Dakota, and the many other <br />entities who helped put them together, are shin- <br />ing examples of the kind of effort citizens have <br />a right to expect from their govermnents. <br />This plan is proof that policies can be <br />made in ways that are accessible to-and <br />driven by-public needs and concerns; that <br /> <br />. <br />