FLOOD04763

• County: Statewide
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Statewide River Rehabilitation and Floodplain Needs Inventory, Related Stream Rehabilitation Information
• Date: 1/1/1997
• Prepared For: State of Colorado
• Prepared By: Consultants
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Community File

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An Action Plan for Reducing Flood Risk in the...
In addition, several key premises must guide all levels of government and individuals in Oood-risk reduction efforts in the future;

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* Communities and individuals that display responsible behavior should be encouraged and not placed at a financial disadvantage compared
to those that exercise little or no responsibility.

* There is no simple or single answer (silver bullets), therefore, a matrix of solutions must be developed and implemented.

* Utilize incentives to implement high priority programs.

· Federal officials, governors and state, tribal and local officials must all be more outspoken and proactive in the implementation of this
vision,

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Western leaders must recognize the factors that compelloca1 jurisdictions to redevelop areas that are prone to flooding. To break the cycle
of repetitive loss, creative and innovative tools must be developed and communicated to responsible parties who can provide leadership to
implement alternatives that enable sound Ooodplainplain management,

All levels of government should put forth a concerted effort and share the challenge to institutionalize the mechanisms and commitment
n<<essary to face flood hazards intelligently. Only then can individuals recognize their role and assume personal responsibility for their
assets and activities within the floodplainplain, Reduced federal disaster.related spending along with heightened recognition of the value of
, natural tloodplainplains is forcing decision-makers at all levels to consider the best mixture of well -tested, innovative approaches for
managing f100dplainplain areas in the future.

State and local governments are now facing the reality that the federal government is shifting away from its traditional strategy of using
structural measures to reduce flood damages and is placing ever greater emphasis on noo-structural measures, Aging levees, dams and
other structures constructed decades ago, have created a false sense of security, which will only be compounded as the West continues to
grow and the infrastructure continues to deteriorate, On the other hand, non-structural measures are designed to reduce the long-term
susceptibility of individuals and property to flood damage while restoring or maintaining the natural functions and values of
flOodptainplains, The shift from structural to non structural solutions has been gradual, but is now accelerating because of escalating costs
associated With disaster response and the pressure to reduce federal, state and local spending.

It is lhe responsibility of all levels of govermnent, businesses and industry, as well as citizens -- particularly those located in a floodplains _.
to reduce flood damages and the soaring flood-related disaster costs. We all have a stake in properly managed tloodplainplains.

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IMPROVING FUTURE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT

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Background

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