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<br /> <br />- <br />4 <br /> <br />Preface <br /> <br />The coastal and riverine floodplains of the United States are highly desirable <br />and rewarding sites for most kinds of human activities and contain a wealth <br />of natural and cultural resources of immense importance and value to the <br />nation. Yet they are the source of costly and frequently unnecessary losses of <br />human life and property as well as losses of resources afforded by floodplain <br />environments. <br />In terms of areas affected and annual economic losses, flooding remains <br />the greatest and most persistent natural disaster facing our nation, despite <br />concerted efforts at all governmentalleve1s and within the private sector to <br />moderate, account for, or adjust to the flood risk. These efforts go back at <br />least to the turn of this ccntu!')', \vhen initially they were focused on control- <br />ling the paths of flood waters. Other flood loss reduction strategies and a <br />myriad of programs have since evolved to complement these initial efforts. <br />More recently, increased attention has been given to preserving the natural <br />functions and resources of floodplains. <br />This assessment of floodplain management in the United States was <br />commissioned in 1987 by the Federal Interagency Floodplain I\1anagement <br />Task Force. Its purpose was to provide an evaluation of floodplain manage- <br />ment activities in order to report to the public and to the Congress on pro- <br />gress toward implementation of "A Unified National Program for Floodplain <br />Management" [Section 1302(c) of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968), <br />Thus, it is a compilation of available information concerning the nation's flood- <br />plains, experience with tools and strategies to reduce losses of life, property, <br />and environmental resources, and a perspective of what has been <br />accomplished. <br />The assessment is presented in two parts. This summary report (Vol- <br />ume 1) presents the salient information and findings of the full report (Vol- <br />ume 2) and reflects both its content and organization. Sources of information <br />for Volume 1 and additional detail, explanation, and analysis can be found in <br />the full report. <br />A concerted attempt \....as made to compile information and available <br />data from numerous sources in an attempt to describe, evaluate, and provide <br />for a balanced view and account of the various activities and management <br />approaches. However, all accounts and contributions to floodplain management <br />may not be adequately documented in this assessment due to the lack of suffi- <br />cient information or usable data regarding certain subjects or topics. Never- <br />theless, task force member agencies concurred w'ith the content of this docu- <br />ment and believe that this assessment provides the most comprehensive <br />sta(ement available and a foundation for action to improve effectiveness of <br />floodplain management in the United States. It is commended to all parties <br />who make decisions affecting floodplains and their occupants and to those <br />having an interest in learning more about this subject. <br /> <br /> <br />Frank H. Thomas <br />Federal Emergency Iv1anagement Agency <br />Chair, Federal Interagency Floodplain Iv!anagement Task Force <br />