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<br /> <br />. . . <br />,... 4_ I' ,.' ,. <br />::9!rJf)sr r;0mS - ?n:jjE;C! <br />. . <br />, <br />, <br />~~ :if <br /> <br />Suggestion No.4 Implement <br />some inexpensive and visible <br />demonstration projects to get the <br />whole program moving <br /> <br />After you have developed and adopted your <br />action agenda, select a few easy projects to <br />implement quickly. Such tangible results will <br />demonstrate to the community that you are <br />serious and can deliver. This strategy wclS used <br />successfully in the City of Darlington. A few <br />residentialfloodproofing projects were funded <br />and implemented quickly to overcome public <br />skepticism and to create interest and induce <br />more people to support the program. <br /> <br />In the case of Darlington, this was impor- <br />tant. Many people distrusted government <br />programs and thought that elevating houses on <br />fill would look unattractive. But when the <br />project was completed, residents saw that <br />landscaping and building treatments can make <br />elevated homes look aesthetically pleasing. <br />After a few homes were raised, they began to <br />attract attention and got the community talking. <br />This helped build the _critical momentum <br />needed to keep the program going. This <br />exemplifies a common theme raised throughout <br />this guidebook; for a mitigation plan to <br />succeed, it is important to obtain public input <br />and to gain the public's confidence and consent. <br /> <br />Although quickly implementing some <br />inexpensive and visible projects makes good <br />political sense in helping the program progress, <br />make sure that you don't lose sight of more <br /> <br />complex projects. These may be more important <br />in reducing the community's overall risk. <br /> <br />Suggestion No. 5 Develop a <br />newsletter or a periodic news release <br />plan to inform citizens of the <br />mitigation program as projects are <br />implemented or completed. <br /> <br />When implementing a floodplain mitigation <br />program, keep the flow of communication open <br />between government and the affected and <br />interested public. The public needs to know <br />how regulations (state floodproofing standards, <br />state relocation assistance) affect their property. <br />A newsletter or news release strategy can help <br />you communicate regularly with the commu- <br />nity, thereby precluding the need to visit each <br />individual property owner personally on each <br />issue. <br /> <br />Suggestion No.6 Hire A Flood <br />Mitigation Coordinator <br /> <br />If your community obtains funding through the <br />FMA or other programs, technical assistance <br />funds should be used to hire a limited-term <br />consultant for coordinating mitigation projects. <br />This coordinator would work with contractors, <br />act as liaison between the property owner and <br />government, write newsletters and conduct <br />other public information duties, etc. <br /> <br />The coordinator selected should have good <br />facilitating skills and understand the goals and <br />objectives of a community-wide floodplain <br />management and mitigation program. Under- <br />standing the program's overall objectives and <br />goals and believing in the underlying principles <br />of flood management are key for the person in <br />this position because he or she will have to <br />personally communicate these concepts to <br />property owners. For example, business or <br />home owners will want to know why they need <br />to elevate their structure, or why it may make <br />more sense for the community to voluntarily <br />acquire a structure. <br /> <br />Several communities have successfully hired <br />flood mitigation coordinators in post-disaster <br />situations, including Soldier's Grove, Prairie Du <br />Chien, Darlington, and Pierce County. <br /> <br />70 <br /> <br />COMMUNITY FLOOD MITIGATION PLANNING GUIDEBOOK <br />