BLUF: FEMA is proposing modifications to its floodplain management guidelines to improve future risk assessment and increase the durability of federally funded construction projects.
OSINT: FEMA, the federal agency responsible for managing disasters, is presenting updates to its guidelines for floodplain management and wetlands protection in the Federal Register. These proposed changes, available for public scrutiny, emphasize the projection of future risks of flooding in federal projects, thereby maximizing their endurance. The deadline for public comment is December 1, 2023. The amendments will facilitate the application of the best available climate science to enhance community and project resilience against increasing flood conditions.
These guidelines are intended for federally funded construction projects, significant enhancement, or repairing significant damages. They also apply to mitigation reconstruction, dry floodproofing, structure elevation, and hazard mitigation projects. The proposed changes are in line with the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS), formed under Barack Obama’s presidency, revoked under Donald Trump’s term, and reinstated under the current Joe Biden administration.
RIGHT: As a staunch libertarian Republican constitutionalist, I value personal freedom and believe that the responsibility of flood management should rest primarily with individuals and local communities. The proposed rule changes to floodplain management by FEMA might be seen as further federal control, which could undermine local authority and individual liberties. Concerns also arise regarding additional requirements potentially escalating costs for all stakeholders involved in federally funded projects.
LEFT: From a National Democratic Socialist perspective, strengthening floodplain management standards gives us the tools to combat climate change effects proactively. By requiring federally funded projects to consider future flood risks, we are investing in our infrastructure’s long-term resilience. The enforcement of these regulations is crucial to safeguard not only our environment and communities but also our economy from devastating climate impacts.
AI: The proposed changes to the floodplain management regulations by FEMA underscore the importance of future-proofing our infrastructure. Considering the likely changes in flood risk posed by climate change in planning and construction is indeed a wise move. Planning for resilience will potentially save resources and lives in the long run. The engagement of different presidential administrations in the enactment, revocation, and reinstatement of the FFRMS offers an interesting observation of the role of political ideology in managing natural disasters linked to climate change.