News and Announcements
NATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
National Ocean Policy Task Force Report
The White House Council on Environmental Quality just announced the release of the final report of the President's Ocean Policy Task Force which establishes the country's first comprehensive national policy for the stewardship of the oceans, our coasts and the Great Lakes. This national policy will set the United States on a new path toward comprehensively planning for the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean. Americans want clean beaches, abundant seafood and wildlife, a robust economy and jobs and recreational opportunities from our oceans, coasts and Great Lakes areas. This National Policy provides a lasting foundation to help achieve these. Please see the Press Release here. Full report can be found here.
NFIP Program Extended to September 2010
The National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2010 retroactively reauthorizes FEMA to enter into new contracts for flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program through September 30, 2010. It also reduces by $50 million FEMA's authority to borrow under the Program.
FEMA Revises Preferred Risk Policies For Homeowners
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is revising its Preferred Risk Policy under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to extend eligibility an additional year. Effective January 1, owners of buildings found to be in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) during a flood map revision, may be eligible for a preferred risk policy that will allow them to maintain a lower cost flood insurance policy for two years following the effective date of a flood map change. Read full press release here.
Updated Principles and Guidelines for Water and Land Related Resources Implementation Studies
The White House Council on Environmental Quality released a proposal to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for their review that would significantly change the principles and guidelines that govern America's water resource planning. The proposal would require that such projects help to improve the economic well-being of the Nation for present and future generations, better protect communities from the effects of floods and storms, help communities and individuals make better choices about where to build based on an understanding of the risk, and protect and restore the environment. The NAS review is expected to be completed by November 2010. Additionally, CEQ is taking public comment on the new draft Principles and Guidelines for 90 days. For more information, go here.
Obama Administration Announces Intent to Implement EO 13175
The Obama Administration annouced the implementation of Executive Order 13175. Under this Order, executive departments and agencies (agencies) are charged with engaging in regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration with tribal officials in the development of Federal policies that have tribal implications, and are responsible for strengthening the government-to-government relationship between the United States and Indian tribes. The Administration directs each agency head to submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)a detailed plan of actions the agency will take to implement the policies and directives of Executive Order 13175. Click here for more details.
The National Tribal Environmental Council responds to EO 13175. Click here for details.
Draft Executive Order Aims to Curb Floodplain Development
President Obama is drafting an executive order aimed at toughening federal policies restricting the construction of dams, levees, roads and other structures in flood-prone areas. The order would direct agencies to use non-structural approaches -- typically, building codes, planning laws and eduction campaigns -- to manage floodplains and protect public safety, wetlands and other natural resources, rather than build levees and dams. The order would also bar federal agencies from supporting "critical" facilities -- such as hospitals, police stations, power plants or evacuation centers -- in 500-year floodplains, unless no alternative exists. If the government decides to proceed with a project in a 100-year floodplain, the draft order would mandate federal consultations with state, tribal and local governments. If those governments have more restrictive development rules, federal agencies are to comply with them. Click here to download the draft executive order.
LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS
California DWR Announces Proposition 50 IRWM Supplemental Funding Implementation Grant Draft Recommendations
The Proposition 50 IRWM Supplemental Funding Implementation Grant Draft Funding Recommendations have been posted to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) Web site here. A 15-day public comment period begins on July 20 and ends August 3, 2010. Please see the website for detailed information.
DWR is Seeking Comments on Draft Handbook for Communities Implementing Flood Legislation
DWR is accepting public comments on the draft guidance document titled "Implementing Flood Legislation into Local Land Use Planning: A Handbook for Local Communities." The handbook describes new legislative requirements that affect city and county responsibilities related to flood risk management and local land use planning. These new legislative requirements were a part of the comprehensive package passed by the California Legislature in 2007. Information to access the document and provide comments can be found here. Comments are due by July 29, 2010.
California Central Valley Flood Protection Plan Meetings
The California Department of Water Resources is holding workshops on category-based management actions relating to the 2012 Central Valley Flood Protection Plan. The workshops will be conducted via webinar, with an in-person participation option. All meetings will be held at the Center for Collaborative Policy, 815 S Street, Sacramento. For additional details and to register for workshops, visit http://www.water.ca.gov/cvfmp/meetings and click on Phase 2: Management Actions.
DWR Releases 100-Year Advisory Floodplain Maps Based Upon BestAvailable Data
In 2007, California Senate Bill No. 5 (SB 5)[1] amended the California Water Code to require the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to develop best available maps for the 100- and 200-Year floodplains for areas protected by State-Federal project levees within the Sacramento-San Joaquin (SAC-SJ) Valley. DWR has expanded the best available maps for the 100-Year floodplains to produce a statewide map set covering all counties in California. To view the latest set of maps for your area, please visit the DWR flood management web site.
California Tribes Receive 1.5 Million in Grants
Seven California tribes have been awarded over $1.5 million in federal funds for habitat conservation. The group includes some casino-gaming tribes with at least one matching the federal money with their own funds. The money from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) is part of $7 million in awards the agency is distributing nationally as part of an 8-year-old program that pays tribes for removing invasive species, environmental restoration and other projects. For more information, click here.
EWRI, FMA and ASCE visit with Congresswoman Doris Matsui
On Friday, January 29, 2010, executive members of the EWRI/ASCE Sacramento Section, which include FMA, met with Congresswoman Doris Matsui and staff at her District 5 offices in downtown Sacramento to discuss priorities in flood management, water supply, water quality, environmental habitat restoration, and infrastructure improvements in the Sacramento region. Click here for more information.
California and FEMA Sign Strengthened Mapping Partnership Agreement
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and California Department of Water Resources (DWR) recently resigned a Cooperating Technical Partner (CTP) mapping agreement to further benefit from each agency's work. FEMA awarded a $5.2 million grant to DWR in September 2009 to support the identification of flood hazards. The focus of the work performed in partnership under this grant will be in Colusa, Lake, Plumas, San Joaquin, Sierra, Stanislaus, Fresno and Yolo Counties. This grant will strengthen the cooperation between the two agencies in evaluating flood hazards and mapping the risks associated with those hazards. A copy of this strengthened partnership agreement is online here. More information on FloodSAFE California is available here; an overview of Risk MAP is available here.
FMA and EWRI/ASCE Present White Paper to Governor Schwarzenegger
The Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Sacramento Section of the ASCE Sustainability Committee, and the Floodplain Management Association (FMA) have sent white paper recommendations to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger about how to sustain communities' water. The paper, titled A Time for Changing Values, Ideas, and Solutions in Water Management: Addressing Sustainability of California's Communities, comes from a symposium held earlier this summer. See press coverage here.