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Project Title:
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Levees and the National Flood Insurance Program: Improving Policies and Practices
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PIN:
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DELS-WSTB-11-03
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Major Unit:
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Division on Earth and Life Studies
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Sub Unit:
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Water Science and Technology Board
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RSO:
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Helsabeck, Laura
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Subject/Focus Area:
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Earth Sciences; Engineering and Technology; Environment and Environmental Studies
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Project Scope
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An ad hoc committee will examine current FEMA treatment of levees within the National Flood Insurance Program, and provide advice on how those levee-related policies and activities could be improved. The study will address the following topics regarding how levees are considered in the NFIP:
1) risk analysis;
2) flood insurance;
3) risk reduction;
4) risk communication.
More specifically, within this framework the committee will consider the following key issues and topics:
1 RISK ANALYSIS
· Current risk analysis and mapping procedures and guidelines of levees implemented to determine risk premium rate zones for flood insurance purposes.
· Existing Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) and their corresponding risk premium rates for areas behind accredited and non-accredited levees.
· Existing requirements for levee accreditation under 44 CFR 65.10.
2 FLOOD INSURANCE
· Flood insurance pricing options for areas behind levees.
· Direct annualized flood loss estimates for residential and commercial structures behind levees.
· Waiving mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements for areas behind accredited levees.
3 RISK REDUCTION
· Floodplain management, building standards, and land use practices employed behind levees across the nation.
· Engineered overtopping and breaches as a risk reduction or mitigation measure for levee systems.
· Existing and proposed levee-related grants and personal assistance policies. How can communities maximize benefits and reduce risks by using these?
· Mitigation options for communities with levees to help offset risks as investments grow in them and in areas behind levees
4 RISK COMMUNICATION
· Existing FEMA levee outreach activities, programs, and material.
· The concept of “shared responsibility” for flood risk management and how it might be promoted.
· Incentives for communities to participate in mitigation activities that reduce levee-related risks.
· Non-regulatory products that can complement regulatory products in terms of risk communication.
The study and report will examine the efficacy of these practices and policies, make observations regarding levee policies, and analyze options for improving FEMA's treatment of levees within the National Flood Insurance Program. All conclusions and recommendations will be grounded in physical and social science and engineering concepts and evidence.
The project is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The approximate start date for the project is 08/19/2011.
The report is expected to be issued in early 2013.
Note (1/8/2012): The final paragraph of this statement of task was edited on this date and these changes were approved by both the institution and FEMA.
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Project Duration:
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20 months
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Provide FEEDBACK on this project.
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Contact the Public Access Records Office to make an inquiry, request a list of the public access file materials, or obtain a copy of the materials found in the file.
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