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<br />The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Manitou Springs are aware <br />1;hat a new emphasis on flood hazard mitigation and preparedness planning <br />llaves lives and reduces propoerty losses. Manitou Springs recognized the <br />value of being prepared for a flash flood but did not have the resources to <br />clesign and implement a plan. In early 1985, the University of Colorado <br />Springs Department of Geography and Environmental Studies and the Center <br />for Community Development and Design put together a research team, a <br />I;echnical advisory committee, and a community group aimed at reaching these <br />goals. <br /> <br />Basically, the methodology consisted of bringing the most effective and <br />innovative plans from around the United States to the attention of Manitou <br />Springs. These flood hazard mitigation strategies and funding prospects <br />for each option were reviewed and recommendations for adoption and <br />implementation in Manitou Springs were studied. In light of the fact that <br />public awareness is essential to the implementation process, a slide/tape <br />presentation of the likely effects of a 100 year flash flood in Manitou <br />Springs was prepared for ongoing public education. <br /> <br />Four key issues which emerged are conflicts between historic <br />preservation and wise floodplain management; reliance on tourism and the <br />large number of visitors during flash flood season; interaction among the <br />various actors involved in wise flood hazard mitigation including local <br />residents, 10cal commercial interests, the state officials and federal <br />agencies and, the essential role of public awareness. Each of these is <br />discussed individually below. <br /> <br />Historic Preservation <br />Federal and State historic preservation policy limits the type and <br />extent of changes that can be made to historic structures and their <br />sites without endangering their status on historic registries. Flood <br />damage can endanger this status. However, taking steps to reduce an <br />historic structure's vulnerability to flood damages can also endanger <br />its status, e.g., relocation to a flood-free site, structural flood- <br />proofing, installation of flood barriers, etc. Close coordination <br />is needed between historic registry staff and local officials in <br />reducing the flood loss susceptibility of historic structures. <br /> <br />Tourism <br />. Manitou Springs depends on tourism for its economic base. One concern <br />consistently raised by community members was the fear that preparedness <br />planning might discourage tourism. Our findings indicate this fear is <br />unfounded. As an example, Estes Park suffered the equivalent of a 500 year <br />flood in 1982 due to a dam break. Within a week the town's tourism <br />exceeded preflood levels. In fact, Estes Park is the only Colorado <br />community in 1982 to post an increase in tourist dollars during that summer <br />month. A wel1-prepared community is more attractive than one that is <br />ill-prepared. <br /> <br />Multi-agency Task Force <br />We worked with a dedicated team of individuals who devoted many hours <br />responding to our questions and providing valuable technical advice in all <br />phases of the project. This integrated mission of flood hazard mitigation <br />will carryon beyond the completion of this particular research effort. <br />The fact that Manitou Springs is closeiy linked with various agencies <br />involved in flood hazard mitigation in the region, state and nation should <br />improve chances for obtaining funds to speed implementation of the <br />recommendations. <br /> <br />vi <br />