Federal Flood Risk Management Standard

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Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS)

The Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) was issued January 2015 to encourage federal agencies to consider current and future risk when taxpayer dollars are used to build or rebuild near floodplains. To learn more about the FFRMS and how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers intends to implement the new requirements, explore the sections below.

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Federal Flood Risk Management Standard

On January 30, 2015, the President issued Executive Order (EO) 13690: Establishing of a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input. The EO amends existing EO 11988: Floodplain Management originally issued in 1977, to include the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS). The original EO 11988 governs federal actions in floodplains and includes an eight-step decision making process aimed to encourage wise floodplain management decisions. Once implemented, the FFRMS will assist in reducing the risk and cost of future flood disasters by ensuring that Federal investments in and affecting floodplains are constructed to better withstand the impacts of flooding.

EO 13690 also encourages agencies to consider natural systems, ecosystem processes, and nature-based approaches when development alternatives are considered. This is consistent with recommendations and findings in the recently released North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study (NACCS). Both the NACCS and the FFRMS aim to reduce risk and increase resilience of communities’ abilities to withstand and rapidly recover from storm damages in addition to encouraging the use of natural systems, ecosystem processes, and nature-based approaches.

Interagency Guidelines

In October 2015, the Water Resources Council approved revised guidelines for implementing EO 11988 as amended by EO 13690. These guidelines are advisory and were informed by public dialogue and comment aggregated through FEMA-hosted stakeholder sessions.

Communication Materials

Communication materials and further information is available by contacting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers points of contact

Potential USACE Implementation

During the public comment period, questions were frequently asked regarding the intended scope of the President's FFRMS and the anticipated impacts to the USACE Regulatory Program. The Applicability of Floodplain Management and FFRMS Executive Orders to USACE Permitting Authorities was developed to provide clarifications in this regard.

In the months ahead, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will seek dialogue as the agency develops its implementing procedures for EO 11988 as amended by EO 13690. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will not implement the revised decision making process under EO 11988 as amended until agency specific guidance for implementation is issued. A fact sheet provides information regarding future USACE implementation of EO 11988.