Foreword


The Floodplain Management Forum was held on June 8, 2000, in Washington, DC. A diverse 
group of floodplain management experts participated in the Forum and discussed the future of 
floodplain management in the United States. The Forum is part of a continuing process to 
increase the public dialog and develop strategies that better protect and enhance our Nation’s 
floodplains and reduce the costs of flood disasters. I commend the participants for an 
informative discussion and many thought-provoking recommendations and policy options. 
This report captures the major themes that were presented by the participants during the Forum. 
The themes present a challenge not only to the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
(FEMA) and other Federal agencies but also to State governments, community officials, and 
individual citizens. 

Since 1968 the National Flood Insurance Program’s floodplain management component has 
served as the Federal Government’s principal tool for realizing the better and wiser use of the 
Nation’s floodplains. Much progress has been made during the past 30 years in addressing the 
Nation’s flooding problems through those efforts. However, despite this progress, the number 
and severity of flood events and the costs of flood disasters continue to rise. To reverse this 
alarming trend, we must develop innovative strategies, implement improved incentives, and 
establish effective partnerships. We must broaden the focus from solely flood-loss reduction to 
the creation of sustainable communities and the protection of the natural and beneficial functions 
of floodplains. We should create and support comprehensive watershed solutions for reducing 
flood damage and protecting and restoring floodplains. 

We are all jointly responsible for managing our Nation’s floodplains. Governments must 
improve policies and programs to increase the capability of and reward individuals and 
communities that make wise land use decisions that encourage the building of sustainable 
communities. Government agencies must improve communication and coordination to establish 
a unified Federal effort in the shared goal of natural resource protection and restoration. 

However, regulatory standards and technical expertise from the Government will not be enough. 
There must be commitment and investment from communities, businesses, citizens, and other 
stakeholders to develop comprehensive watershed plans and implement sound floodplain 
management; to share responsibility and accountability for land use decisions that put people and 
property at risk to flooding; and to not solely rely on Federal disaster recovery assistance. We 
must recognize the natural and beneficial functions of floodplains and exploit the link between 
floodplain management and the economic sustainability and environmental quality within a 
community. Project Impact has shown that through collaborative partnerships and planning, we 
can create disaster-resistant communities while enhancing economic vitality and protecting 
environmental resources. 


FEMA looks ahead to continuing the national dialog and collaboratively working together to 
achieve these goals. We will never move ahead as a Nation on these issues until we all move 
ahead together. 

James L. Witt 
Director 
Federal Emergency Management Agency