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I suburban areas. Both individual property owners and developers of large tracts interact with local governments. In the United States, local governments work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in terms of community eligibility for flood insurance, and with various state agencies in terms of state requirements. These state agencies are "control" agencies involved in environmental protection, conservation and land use. Also involved are state highway departments because of their concern for protecting highways in flood prone areas. Because land-use authority is vested with local governments, the effectiveness of floodplain regula- tion depends on the expertise and motivations of the local entities. Another impor- tant factor in regulation of floodplains is adequate and accurate information con- sisting, primarily, of floodplain delineation and detailed mapping. I I Flood Problems Along Receiving Streams. Flood problems are usually artic- ulated by floodplain occupants. The flow of activity is normally from the flood- plain occupants to local government officials, and sometimes to Congressional repre- sentives. For major problems (in the United States) both Congress and local govern- m~nts, address their concerns to the U.S. Corps of Engineers. The Corps then under- takes a planning effort to define problems and evaluate solutions. During this time, the Corps interacts closely with the local governments. Flood control pro- jects usually benefit a well-defined and limited section of the population. Special interest groups--perhaps with environmental concerns--may play active roles in these projects. They interact with the Corps of Engineers, Congressional representatives, state representatives, local government officials, and the news media. Projects involving federal agencies, such as the Corps of Engineers, differ dramatically in magnitude from local stormwater projects. They involve large capital expenditures and long time-spans from inception to implementation. The impacts on local areas are greater than for projects without significant federal involvement. Because of their magnitudes and impacts, the management of such projects is complex and cumber- some and the interaction between agencies is usually extensive, prolonged and frus- trating. I I I I I I I I I Erosion, Sedimentation and Pollution Problems. In places where surface soils are highly erodable, local soil conservation districts interact with local stormwater agencies and local governments in reviewing plans for new land develop- ment. Laws of some jurisdictions require this prior to approval of development plans. In some instances, when erosion and sedimentation problems in developed areas are serious and extensive, the U.S. Soil Conservation Service (USDA) under- takes field projects to correct such problems, interacting with the local govern- ments which request such federal assistance. When the water quality of receiving water bodies is threatened by pollutants in stormwater runoff, various state agen- cies can become involved with local agencies in correcting or preventing water degradation. These state agencies may include the environmental protection agency, the department of natural resources, fish and wildlife, public health department, attorney general!s office, and others. In cases where major rivers lakes, wetlands, bays and estuaries are threatened by pollution, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) becomes an interested party. Forceful and extensive demands may be made by the USEPA, sometimes involving prolonged debate and court action. The action may be taken against either public or private institutions. In some cases, court actions are filed by an agency in one state against an agency in a different state. I I Local Government--Focal Point I I I I In each of the five example situations described in the preceding section, "local government" was the focal point. Although state and federal agencies and special district organizations plan important regulatory and funding roles in local 42 I