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<br />pate, communities must agree to enact and enforce flood- <br />plain management regulations consistent with the pro- <br />gram requirements. Because of the benefits to its citizens, <br />and the effects of non-participation, most flood-prone <br />localities are participating in the program. <br />INFORMATION AND EDUCATION Flood hazard <br />information may be used in addressing existing flood <br />problems. It is vital in the formulation of alternative <br />flood protective measures by both government and <br />individual decisionmakers. Information on properties <br />subject to flood risk and probabilities of various levels <br />of loss can help translate the hazard into terms that <br />stimulate appropriate local action. <br />INDIVIDUAL PROTECTIVE MEASURES A number of <br />measures can be employed by individuals to keep flood <br />damage within acceptable limits. Those most frequently <br />used include: <br />. raising structures in place to above expected flood <br />levels <br />. constructing small walls or levees around structures <br />. modifying structures to keep water out <br />. relocating some contents above expected flood levels <br />to reduce the effects of water entering the building. <br />Such measures can be undertaken during repair, re- <br />modeling, or expansion of existing structures. <br />STRUCTURAL MEASURES TO CONTAIN OR CONFINE <br />FLOOD WATERS The most commonly used flood protec- <br />tion structures include <br />. flood water detention dams and reservoirs <br />. levees, flood walls, and dikes that protect areas <br />behind them from certain levels of flooding <br />. channel alterations that confine more water to the <br />channel and accelerate flood flows <br /> <br />. onsite detention measures that provide temporary <br />storage of stormwater runoff. <br /> <br />3. MEASURES TO PRESERVE AND RESTORE THE <br />NATURAL RESOURCES AND FUNCTIONS OF FLOOD- <br />PLAINS. <br />The importance of working with, and effectively <br />utilizing, the floodplain's natural functions and resources <br />cannot be overstated. Through natural resource planning, <br />a number of community goals, including flood loss <br />reduction, often can be achieved at a substantially reduced <br />overall cost. Retaining the natural resources and functions <br />of floodplains can not only help communities to reduce <br />the frequency and consequences of flooding, but also <br />minimize stormwater management and nonpoint <br />pol1ution problems, and for less money than building <br />facilities to correct them. <br />Traditionally, although much attention has been <br />focused on the hazards and inconveniences associated <br />with floods, less attention has been directed toward the <br />natural resources and functions of floodplains and their <br />considerable value to the community. Among the benefits <br />they provide are natural storage of flood '....aters, open <br />space and recreation, water quality protection, erosion <br />control, and preservation of natural habitats. But lack of <br />attention and misunderstanding of their functions have <br />led to their alteration and in many cases to the degrada- <br />tion and destruction of their natural resources. <br />Measures for preserving floodplain resources and <br />functions involve preventing the alteration of the natural <br />and beneficial resources or maintaining the floodplain <br />environment as close to its natural state as possible. The <br />measures that can be employed include: <br /> <br />page 37 <br />