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<br />PREFACE <br /> <br />This research effort rl~presents a dramatic: ,I.nd promising dil'ection in <br />floodplain management in tile United States. In r'ecent ye'ars fl"od losses <br />have continued to rise des pi te massi ve funding for flood contr"l. Federal <br />policy has recognized this expensive discrepancy, and legislation aimed at <br />long- term flood hazard reduction has been passed by Congr'es'l. The I(ey <br />change revolves around the term "mi tigation". According to the Federal <br />Emergency Management Agency, approximately 20,000 communitills In the <br />United States face flood hazards. While hundr',eds of these communi ties <br />have developed flood hazard management plans, Manitou Spr'ings is on<~ of <br />few communi ties which now has post-flood conti.:rtllency planning <br />possi,bilities to consider prior to a devastati.ng flood. <br /> <br />lhis report makes three distinct contributions. First, it assists the <br />communi ty of Manitou Springs, Colorado by sugs'esting flood Ilazard <br />mi tigation strategies based on the experience at' cClIlDluni ties elaewhere in <br />the Uni ted States. It provides an in-depth description c,f l;he ()i ty' s <br />flood history and local economic base and devel()ps a det..iled scenario of <br />present vulnerability to tile flood threat. An extensive literal;ure review <br />reveals how other communities with similar condi. tions have successfully <br />reduced flood loss potential through warning I:'ystems, land acqu:lsi tion <br />schemes, structural flood (lontrol measures, ami increased public <br />awareness. Three character'istics which distInguish ManItou Springs from <br />other communi ties are a heavy reliance cn touT'.ism as an economic base, a- <br />lack of buildable lots which are not in the floodplain or on s1;'lep <br />hillsides, and a large per()entage of historic I)uildings, Also, topography <br />makes some structural projE!cts difficult or impossible. <br /> <br />Second, this report provides guidelines for post-fl"od cont;:lngency <br />planning for Manitou Springs, prior to a floocl occurrence. C:onsllquentIy, <br />when there is a flood, local officials will. ha.y€! a lead on "ise recovery <br />and reconstruction planning which will reduce future potentIal losses. <br /> <br />Finally, this report suggests a methOdology for POSt-flClOd planning in <br />anticipation of floods. RE!Search shows that post"disaster deciaions must <br />be made quickly. In addition, current legislati.~n stipulatE's that <br />disaster aid is contingent on adequate mitigation planning 1'01" reducing <br />the threat from future events. Therefore, if lClcal planners have a visiCln <br />for community improvement, there is greater likelihood of reducing <br />vulnerability to subsequent; floods. We anticipate this methodology has <br />applicability in other communities as well. <br /> <br />The strategy presented takes the loca.! poil:l t..i cal, economi c and <br />physical realities into account, acknowledging factors "hich restrict such <br />ad,j ustments as changing th€! floodplain into a gr'eenbelt or channelizing a <br />stream. It also recognizes the opportuni ty a flood disaster' pr'esents for <br />long term hazard reduction. In effect, tJ1is Pl'e..nood/post-'floCld planni.ng <br />and implementation of steps to mi tigate tl1e haza'cd assures that Mani tOll <br />Springs will be much less vulnerable in t,=rms of 11 ves lost and property <br />damaged from a second flooel. <br /> <br />11i <br />