FLOOD01766

• County: Statewide
• Title: Using Multi-Objective Management to Reduce Flood Losses in Your Watershed
• Date: 1/1/1996
• Prepared For: EPA
• Prepared By: Association of State Floodplain Managers
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

The floodplain is not just a hazardous area. The floodplain, the watershed,
wetlands, and other f100d-related areas have many different uses, most of them
beneficial to the community. The multi-objective management approach brings
together the people and groups that have interests related to all these water-related
uses. It helps reduce conflicts and increase th~ opportunities for mutual support. Your
flood 19'5S rOOuction nieasures become tools to meet other objectives, too. By allying
yourself with these other interests, you gain longer-lasting, broader support for your
COlIIJII()n concerns.
The number and types of special interest groups and opportunities for
cooperation will vary from community to community. The more common ones,
covered in this guidebook, are:

. Recreation
· Fish and wildlife
· Water supply
. Water quality
· Urban redevelopment
· Economic development

· Housing improvement
. Agriculture
. Historic preservation
. Education
. Transportation and infrastructure.

There are literally hundreds of government agencies and programs, private
clubs and other organizations, businesses, and individuals that can provide advice,
assistance, and funding for flood loss reduction when it is combined with other
activities. Some of them are: local, state, and federal agencies for paries,
environmental protection, recreation, economic development, housing, engineering,
conservation, planning, community affairs, or natural resources; neighborhood
associations; conservation and outdoor groups (Izaak Walton League, Audubon
Society, Boy and Girl Scouts, Ducles Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, The Nature
Conservancy, The Land Trust Alliance); recreational businesses (marinas, sporting
goods stores); local water departments and private water companies; farmers
dependent on irrigation; industries and economic developers; chambers of commerce
and business or manufacturers' organizations; garden clubs; Urban Land Institute; and
the National Community Development Association.
A proper planning process is the key to determining what is best for your
community and building consensus for what should be done. Planning is educational
and it brings people together. And many state and federal programs require a plan as
a prerequisite to providing you with assistance. Funding organizations want to know
how their money fits into the community's goals. These are the basic steps for multi.
objective planning:

(I) Get organized.
(2) Involve other local people and groups.
(3) Contact agencies and organizations that have an interest or can
provide advice and/or assistance.
(4) Define the community problems.
(5) Agree on goals and objectives for community planning and action,
(6) Review alternatives to reduce flood losses and meet other needs.
(7) Prepare a written document.
(8) Get public and official acceptance of the plan.
(9) Implement and follow through on the steps specified in the plan,

Success stories in this guidebook give examples of how other communities have used
the M-O-M approach. Additional information can be found by contacting the agencies
and organizations noted in Appendix A or by checking the references in Appendix B.

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