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<br />Mr. Witt indicated that he also believes there should be no adverse impact on property or the <br />natural resources of the area. <br /> <br />Gilbert F. White, University of Colorado at Boulder, asked Mr. Witt about FEMA's involvement <br />with other Federal agencies on development issues as they relate to floodplain management. <br /> <br />Mr. Witt responded that the Environmental Protection Agency (EP A) and USACE are both <br />represented here today and have met together many times on several related issues. <br /> <br />Frank H. Thomas, Mitigation Consultant, expressed concern that the use of Letters of Map <br />Revision (LOMRs), which transfer risk to other parties without compensation, degrades the <br />value of the maps and the mapping program. He suggested that LOMRs be used only for <br />correcting technical errors in the map data. <br /> <br />Doug Plasencia, Kimley-Hom and Associates, stated his support for the no-adverse-impact <br />position and suggested the importance of devolvement of responsibilities to the local level in the <br />long term. This shift should start in the short term with more education to communities. The <br />most important message should be that Federal regulations are not intended to be the <br />recommended standard but rather the minimum threshold to be able to buy federally subsidized <br />flood insurance. To think of the minimum regulations as standards leaves the governing <br />authorities open to liabilities. <br /> <br />Tim Searchinger, Environmental Defense, expressed support for Dr. White's concern about <br />Federal integration and cooperation. He recommended coordinated priorities for a national flood <br />management program that reduce flooding damages and enhance the environment. A second <br />area of concern is the crop insurance program, where those who are the most reckless receive the <br />most subsidy. <br /> <br />Sue Cameron, Tillamook County, Oregon, thanked Mr. Witt for assistance to the loeal <br />communities in developing and enforcing loeal ordinances. She listed some recent <br />accomplishments, including a 3 foot freeboard requirement and a repetitive loss provision. <br /> <br />Mr. Witt shared some innovations used by Project Impact in rillamook County, including <br />elevating homes and lowering a roadbed for use as a floodway. <br /> <br />John R Sheqffer, Sheqffer International, L.L.c., stated his support for Mr. Witt's sustainability <br />objectives. He stressed that the entire water basin needs to be studied to further understand and <br />manage floodplain issues. He said he supported a policy that private properties and public <br />facilities should be treated equally in responsibility for this management. He further eXplained <br />that, done correctly, urbanization ean be used to decrease runoff. <br /> <br />Ed Copeland, Region II Planning and Development Council (representing the National <br />Association of Developmental Organizations), requested more funding for ongoing educational <br />programs in responsible floodplain management techniques for local leaders and politicians. <br />Changes in planning, ordinances, and financial leverage for mitigation projects can only happen <br />through education. <br /> <br />Floodplain Management Forom <br /> <br />15 <br />