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<br />U I have noticed that addressing the flood threat issue will not <br />help get an official elected, but experiencing a flood will help the <br />official lose the election." - Windell Curole, General Manager, <br />South LaFourche Levee District, Galliano, Louisiana <br /> <br /> <br />A TYPICAL SCESARIO thilt many <br />local ~{ficials face inaJ!ves proposals <br />for development of flood hazard <br />lands. The developer offers the <br />prospects of jobs and an increase in <br />the tax base. Tlte flood problems are <br />tril'ialized or tllede"Jfloperstates <br />that "tire flood problnn can be fixed." <br />These sound like 'ixry persuash'i' <br />reasons for supporting the proposed <br />development 8EWARE, the ,hort- <br />term gains in your tax base from <br />such development can quickly be <br />l05t to later flood damage lhat am <br />become a chronic problem. Many <br />communities hnve realized only later <br />IImt the flcod problenl at lhat site <br />uus I1l"ver '/ixed." (In most <br />instances, it is very difficult to <br />'fix" a flood prob~m.) You should <br />seek arJ independent opinion and not <br />rely soldy on the opinimls, plans, <br />or promises of tire developer. <br /> <br />flood hazard areas. <br /> <br />. Assignment of responsibility to existing departments - preparing public a","'are- <br />ness and education materials about flood risks. <br /> <br />. Using volunteer groups - public awareness campaigns, stream cleanup projects, <br />building or maintaining trails. <br /> <br />. The budget process - improving the local flood warning and response system. <br /> <br />. Contracts or agreements <br /> <br /> <br />with other parties- <br />construction of flood <br /> <br />control works; obtaining <br /> <br />teclmical or financial <br /> <br />assistance. <br /> <br />. Official policies - <br /> <br />RegitlationSare uop<lp)4ll" 1I1ltil;$'!iQ~$ <br />, ." . .'~. . ., . , +;:, <br />j1ooddamagI!;IJt;C1{rr;. B~t then:!t '5-tOO <br />lak~auii de-"elopmentlS.tlJieiJd!l to <br />plale:A.nd redu,i;'g:IQS$tl fa e.-I1$tIJlg <br />:f1arit~PtCl11f:pr'!PerIy:~ ~rfi"ud!t ";dre <br />4iffjcul(I~" ~rr-Je:1!MS: tJU?lli1WiU <br />co.nsliqaam:ih t"';fi:t.st PI~Cf; <br />~. <br /> <br />limiting services and <br /> <br />utilities to control <br /> <br />unwanted development <br /> <br />in certain areas. <br /> <br />. \Vorking with other communities to manage stormwater in developing areas. <br /> <br />YOUR ROLE IN MANAGING YOUR COMMUNITY'S FLOODPLAIN PROGRAM <br /> <br />Your commitment - and that of other elected officials - will determine the success <br /> <br />or failure of your community's floodplain management effort. If you believe in the <br />program's need and purpose, then you will take actions to ensure that it is carried <br />out within the limitations of your <br /> <br />community's resources. <br /> <br />. Take the lead in choosing a few <br /> <br />easy win-win projects to do guickly. <br /> <br />Tangible results will demonstrate to <br />the community that you and other officials are serious and can deliver. This can <br /> <br />help overcome public skepticism. <br />. !vlaintain a vision of the future. Do not lose sight of the complex projects, which <br />may be more important overall in addressing your community's flood problems. <br />. Invite neighborhoods to meet to discuss flood-related activities and other com- <br />munity needs that might be tied to them. <br /> <br />pas r 18 <br />