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<br /> <br />in flood-prone reaches of river valleys; (2) reduce probabilities <br />of future flood-related disasters through improvement of State <br />and Federal flood plain management programs; (3) discourage the <br />hazardous uses of flood plains through Federal leadership in <br />following the goals of Executive Order 11988; (4) increase focus <br />on methods to more equitably share the responsibilities of flood <br />plain management among Federal, State, and local governments; and <br />(5) increase focus on management alternatives maintaining the <br />full range of natural and beneficial uses of flood plains. <br /> <br />A number of Federal flood control projects, some ongoing, <br />are recommended to reduce flood damages in large urban areas <br />along major streams (Kansas City, Sioux City, Great Falls, and <br />Denver), where extensive flood plain encroachment has occurred <br />over the past century. Impacts related to these projects are <br />associated with bridge removal and relocation, channel <br />modification, levees, or small darns. In general NEPA-related <br />analyses for these projects have indicated that most natural <br />values associated with riverine environments in these larger <br />urban areas have already been lost. As a result, further project <br />related impacts were not considered to be adverse or cumulatively <br />significant. While exclusive use of nonstructural alternatives <br />was not feasible, several elements (local zoning and regulation, <br />flood proofing, and development of emergency plans) have been <br />adopted as part of a comprehensive flood control and management <br />strategy in each of these urban areas. <br /> <br />In small urban or rural areas, often along smaller rivers, <br />the projects may affect stream habitat and other natural values. <br />In these instances additional planning has been conducted to <br />minimize or mitigate adverse impacts. Impacts are related to <br />those associated with construction of levees, small impoundments, <br />or channel modification. <br /> <br />Federal and State flood plain regulatory and monitoring <br />programs will have a significant effect in preventing the <br />development of future hazardous and nuisance uses, and will <br />discourage some existing hazardous uses of flood plains. These <br />programs, in concert with planned flood control efforts, will <br />tend to check or deter potential for increased damages in urban <br />areas that is often related to inflationary increases in values. <br />Along major rivers where suitable non-flood plain land for <br />development is not available, or navigation-related developments <br />are needed, additional planning is necessary to prevent hazardous <br />uses or to mitigate any adverse flood-related effects. Along the <br />middle and lower Missouri River. a special study plan element is <br /> <br />-254- <br />