This section educates communities about opportunities for reducing flood risk and lowering community flood insurance premiums while enjoying the benefits of naturally functioning floodplains, such as the conservation of habitat essential for threatened and endangered species.
While these pages focus on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) communities, the tools and resources here apply broadly to land use and community planners, conservation and parks departments, elected officials, planning commission members, non-profits, and conservation organizations. The information, tools and links provided here may assist the above entities in determining ways to incorporate species and habitat conservation into floodplain management strategies and decisions.
Learn About Conservation & Floodplain Management
Protect Natural Floodplains
Learn about the benefits of protecting natural floodplain functions, including conservation of threatened and endangered species.
Reduce Insurance Costs
Learn how communities can earn lower NFIP flood insurance premiums by engaging in habitat and species conservation credited by the Community Rating System (CRS).
Conserve Endangered Species
Identify where threatened and endangered species and critical habitat are located and learn more about those species and habitats.
Decide Whether to Develop
Understand the kind of considerations that should be taken into account when a decision has been made to develop in a floodplain.