CCAP’s Weathering Climate Risks program is made possible through generous support from the Surdna Foundation.

Flood Resilience Workshop I: Reducing Costs & Increasing Flood Resiliency through FEMA’s Community Rating System

WORKSHOP August 2, 2013: 9 AM – 1 PM 750 First Street NE 9th Floor conference room Washington, DC

The Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP), in coordination with the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) and the District of Columbia Office of Planning (OP) , is pleased that you will participate in the first of a series of workshops on increasing the District’s resilience to flooding. Our first, half-day workshop on August 2, 2013, will focus on the National Flood Insurance Program's Community Rating System (CRS) as one of the cost-effective measures that the District can take to reduce the costs of flood insurance and flood damages and increase community resilience to the next flood.

AGENDA

9:00 AM Continental breakfast

9:15 AM Welcome, Background & Introductions – Shana Udvardy (Moderator)

9:30 AM Sustainable DC Overview – Brendan Shane

9:45 AM District's Floodplain Management and the NFIP – Phetmano Phannavong

10:15 AM Break

10:20 AM An Overview of FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS) – French Wetmore

11:00 AM CRS & low hanging fruit in the District – French Wetmore

12:00 PM Working Lunch – Q&A Roundtable Session – ALL

12:45 PM 1:00 PM

Next steps – Shana Udvardy Adjourn

For more information, please contact: SHANA UDVARDY or STEVE WINKELMAN

Center for Clean Air Policy - Weathering Climate Risks Program Tel: 202-408-9260

Washington Harbor Flooding, Hurricane Isabel, FEMA 2003

CCAP’s Weathering Climate Risks program is made possible through generous support from the Surdna Foundation.

Speaker Bios

With many years of experience in water resources management and engineering in the private sector, Phetmano Phannavong joined the District of Columbia Department of the Environment (DDOE) in 2008. His main responsibilities as an environmental engineer are to review and approve floodplain development, stormwater management, and soil erosion and sediment control plans as part of the building permit process. He has played a major role in the revision and adoption of the floodplain regulations including building code amendments in the District, and coordination among District agencies in implementation and enforcement of the National Flood Insurance Program. Since joining DDOE, Mr.

Phannavong, as Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) has worked closely with FEMA, and other federal and District agencies to enhance floodplain and flood risk management in the District of Columbia.

Brendan Shane is Chief of the Office of Policy and Sustainability for the District Department of the Environment, where he oversees issues related to green building, climate change, and cross-cutting urban sustainability. He is a principal staffer for Mayor Vincent Gray’s Sustainable DC initiative, which began in July 2011 and is now in the implementation phase following release of the Sustainable DC Plan in February 2013. In that capacity, he is working across the District Government and with stakeholders throughout the community to define and implement the Mayor’s vision of making the District of Columbia the greenest, healthiest, most livable city in the nation. Brendan is a watershed hydrologist and attorney by training, with a bachelors in government from Franklin & Marshall College, a

masters in geology from the University of Maryland, and JD from the Georgetown University Law Center.

Shana Udvardy is CCAP’s Climate Adaptation Policy Analyst. Under CCAP’s Weathering Climate Risks program, Shana is advancing corporate and community preparedness for extreme weather and climate change impacts. Previously, she led flood risk and climate adaptation initiatives as president of Udvardy Consulting and as the director of flood management policy for American Rivers. Prior to joining American Rivers, Udvardy led the Georgia Conservancy’s water program advocacy efforts that helped establish a comprehensive statewide water plan for Georgia. She also previously worked for the Smithsonian’s Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity program where she led a

comprehensive biodiversity assessment and monitoring program in Perú. Shana was a Peace Corps volunteer in Nicaragua where she promoted soil and water conservation. She holds a M.S. in Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development from the University of Georgia’s Odum School of Ecology, and a B.A. from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School.

French Wetmore is President of French & Associates, a floodplain management consulting firm. Prior to consulting, French was Chief of Local Floodplain Programs for the Illinois Division of Water Resources and State Flood Insurance Coordinator, 1976 - 1988. Before his state work, he was a city administrator. French’s consulting projects have including assisting communities with their floodplain management ordinances and administration, preparing mitigation plans and programs, and helping design and administer the Community Rating System. He is the author of local or multijurisdictional hazard mitigation plans and many guides for local officials on mitigation planning, floodproofing, floodplain management, and

related topics. French served as Chair of the Association of State Floodplain Managers (1985 – 1987), President of the Certification Board of Regents (2001 – 2004), and on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management (1989 − 2007). French has a B.A. in Government from Indiana University (1968) and an MPA from Syracuse University (1972).

CCAP’s Weathering Climate Risks program is made possible through generous support from the Surdna Foundation.

About the Organizations

The Center for Clean Air Policy – ccap.org CCAP protects air quality and the climate and supports sustainable economic growth by collaborating with diverse stakeholders to achieve ambitious and effective policy solutions. CCAP’s off-the-record dialogues emphasize candid public-private discussion to promote collaborative problem solving.

CCAP’s Weathering Climate Risks program helps cities and companies enhance resilience to the economic impacts of severe weather and a changing climate. Through research of best practices and high-level workshops we aim to advance public-private collaboration on climate resilience to protect critical urban infrastructure, ensure business continuity, and increase extreme weather resilience. Recent blog entries on climate resilience address urban heat, electric utilities and transportation.

CCAP’s reports, senior policy briefings, and media coverage help decision makers maximize the economic and environmental benefits of infrastructure and land use decisions. Recent publications include Growing Wealthier: Smart Growth, Climate Change and Prosperity, Climate Adaptation and Transportation, and Ask the Climate Question: Adapting to Climate Change Impacts in Urban Regions.

The District Department of the Environment – www.ddoe.dc.gov The District Department of the Environment (DDOE) is the leading authority on energy and environmental issues affecting the District of Columbia. Using a combination of regulations, outreach, education, and incentives, the agency administers programs and services to improve the quality of life for the residents and natural inhabitants of the nation’s capital. DDOE works collaboratively with other government agencies, residents, businesses, and institutions to promote environmentally responsible behavior that will lead to a more sustainable urban environment. DDOE envisions a nation's capital that sets the standard for environmentally responsible and sustainable practices; a city whose rivers and waters are fishable and swimmable; whose buildings and infrastructure help protect our health and environment; and whose residents, businesses, and visitors embrace and employ smart environmental practices in their daily lives and work together to deliver a clean, healthy, and vibrant city to future generations.

The District of Columbia Office of Planning – www.planning.dc.gov The Mission of the Office of Planning (OP) is to guide development of the District of Columbia, including the preservation and revitalization of our distinctive neighborhoods, by informing decisions, advancing strategic goals, encouraging the highest quality outcomes, and engaging all communities. OP performs planning for neighborhoods, corridors, districts, historic preservation, public facilities, parks and open spaces, and individual sites. In addition, OP engages in urban design, land use, and historic preservation review. OP also conducts historic resources research and community visioning, and manages, analyzes, maps, and disseminates spatial and US Census data.

Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

Community Rating System (CRS) was implemented in

1990 as a voluntary program for recognizing and

encouraging community floodplain management

activities exceeding the minimum NFIP standards.

Any community in full compliance with the minimum

NFIP floodplain management requirements may apply

to join the CRS.

1,192 Communities Participate in the CRS

Nearly 3.7 million policyholders in 1,192 communities

participate in the CRS by implementing local mitiga-

tion, floodplain management, and outreach activities

that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements.

Under the CRS, flood insurance premium rates are

discounted to reward community actions that meet the

three goals of the CRS, which are: (1) reduce flood

damage to insurable property; (2) strengthen and

support the insurance aspects of the NFIP; and (3)

encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain

management.

Although CRS communities represent only 5 percent of

the over 21,000 communities participating in the NFIP,

more than 67 percent of all flood insurance policies are

written in CRS communities.

CRS Classes

The CRS uses a class rating system that is similar to fire

insurance rating to determine flood insurance premium

reductions for residents. CRS classes* are rated from 10

to 1. A community that does not apply for the CRS or that

does not maintain the minimum number of credit points

would be considered a Class 10 community. Today, most

communities enter the program at a Class 9 rating, which

entitles residents in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs)

to a 5 percent discount on their flood insurance premiums.

As a community engages in additional mitigation activities,

its residents become eligible for increased NFIP policy pre-

mium discounts. Each CRS Class improvement produces a

5 percent greater discount on flood insurance premiums for

properties in the SFHA, with a Class 1 community receiv-

ing the maximum 45 percent premium reduction.

Community Rating System

Best of the Best

Four communities occupy the highest levels of the CRS. Each has developed a floodplain management program tailored to its own particular hazards, character, and goals. Under these programs, each community carries out numerous and varied activities, many of which are credited by the CRS. The average discount in policyholder premiums varies according to a community’s CRS class and the average amount of insurance coverage in place. Some highlights:

Roseville, California was the first to reach the highest CRS rating (Class 1). Damaging floods in 1995 spurred Roseville to strengthen and broaden its floodplain management program. Today the City earns points for almost all CRS creditable activities. The average premium discount for policies in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) is $768.

Comprehensive planning for floodplain management has been a key contributor to Tulsa, Oklahoma’s progress in reducing flood damage from the dozens of creeks within its jurisdiction. The City (Class 2) has cleared more than 900 buildings from its floodplains. The average premium discount for policies in the SFHA is $461.

King County, Washington (Class 2) has preserved more than 100,000 acres of floodplain open space and receives additional CRS credit for maintaining it in a natural state. The average premium discount for policies in the SFHA is $381.

Pierce County, Washington (Class 3) maintains over 80 miles of river levees. County officials annually mail informational brochures to all floodplain residents. The average premium discount for policies in the SFHA is $381. * CRS class changes occur on May 1 and October 1 of each year. The data contained

in this fact sheet were current through October 1, 2011.

Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration

Community Rating System

CRS Credit

A community accrues points to improve its CRS Class

rating and receive increasingly higher discounts. Points

are awarded for engaging in any of 18 creditable

activities, organized under four categories:

● Public information

● Mapping and regulations

● Flood damage reduction

● Flood preparation

Formulas and adjustment factors are used to calculate

credit points for each activity.

The communities listed below are among those that have

qualified for the greatest premium discounts:

Class 1: Roseville, California

Class 2: Tulsa, Oklahoma

King County, Washington

Class 3: Pierce County, Washington

Class 4: Fort Collins, Colorado

Skagit County, Washington

Snohomish County, Washington

Charleston County, South Carolina

Sacramento County, California

Benefits of the CRS

Lower cost flood insurance rates are only one of the

rewards a community receives from participating in the

CRS. Other benefits include:

● Citizens and property owners in CRS communities

have increased opportunities to learn about risk,

evaluate their individual vulnerabilities, and take

action to protect themselves, as well as their homes

and businesses.

● CRS floodplain management activities provide

enhanced public safety, reduced damage to property

and public infrastructure, and avoidance of economic

disruption and loss.

● Communities can evaluate the effectiveness of their

flood programs against a nationally recognized

benchmark.

● Technical assistance in designing and implementing

some activities is available to community officials at

no charge.

● CRS communities have incentives to maintain and

improve their flood programs over time.

How to Apply

To apply for CRS participation, a community must

initially inform the Federal Emergency Management

Agency (FEMA) Regional Office of its interest in

applying to the CRS and will eventually submit a CRS

application, along with documentation that shows it is

implementing the activities for which credit is requested.

The application is submitted to the Insurance Services

Office, Inc. (ISO)/CRS Specialist. ISO works on behalf

of FEMA and insurance companies to review CRS

applications, verify communities’ credit points, and

perform program improvement tasks.

A community’s activities and performance are reviewed

during a verification visit. FEMA establishes the credit

to be granted and notifies the community, the State,

insurance companies, and other appropriate parties.

Each year, the community must verify that it is continu-

ing to perform the activities that are being credited by

the CRS. In addition, a community can continue to

improve its class rating by undertaking new mitigation

and floodplain management activities that earn even

more points.

CRS Training

CRS specialists are available to assist community

officials in applying to the program and in designing,

implementing, and documenting the activities that earn

even greater premium discounts. In addition, a week-

long CRS course for local officials is offered for free at

FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI)

located on the National Emergency Training Center

campus in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and can be field

deployed in interested states.

For More Information

A list of resources is available at the CRS website: http://www.fema.gov/nfip/crs.shtm. For more information about the CRS or to obtain the CRS application, contact the Insurance Services Office by phone at (317) 848-2898 or by e-mail at nfipcrs@iso.com.

To learn more about CRS, go to theCalifornia Department of

Water Resources (DWR) website

www.water.ca.gov/nfipcrs

MAYOR KEVIN JOHNSON, SACRAMENTO, CA (CRS CLASS 5)

“The CRS program provides a discount to our residents on flood insurance, while making the city a safer place to live and work.” January 2011

MAYOR ROCKY ROCKHOLM, CITY OF ROSEVILLE, CA (CRS CLASS 1)

“The program to us is very important. We take it serious and we want to make this a safe place for our residents to live.” March 2003

COUNTY SUPERVISOR MARY JANE GRIEGO, YUBA COUNTY (CRS CLASS 7)

“Our community suffered two major floods in an eleven year period before we completed one of the best levee systems in the nation. Despite our improved levees, the potential for flooding still exists. The CRS is an important program that allows our residents to achieve lower flood insurance premiums, helping prevent catastrophic losses that accompany flood events.” January 2011

COUNTY SUPERVISOR ROBERTA MACGLASHAN, SACRAMENTO COUNTY (CRS CLASS 4)

“Being considered one of the nation’s most at-risk major metropolitan areas, Sacramento County has proactive programs in place to protect its citizens’ properties from flooding. The Community Rating System has recognized the County’s efforts with one of the best ratings in the country. It also gives our citizens a benefit every time they pay their flood insurance premiums because they pay significantly less than residents of non-CRS communities.” February 2011

A PartnershipWhat Others Are Saying About CRS National Flood

Insurance Program

Community Rating System (CRS)

■ Floods are the #1 natural disaster in the U.S.

■ Flood damage is not covered by most standard homeowners and business owners’ insurance policies.

■ In high risk floods areas (A or V zones), there is at least a 1 in 4 chance of flooding during a 30 year mortgage.

Flood FactsDo You Know...

■ The CRS is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements.

■ The CRS uses a class rating system to award flood insurance premium discounts ranging from 5% to 45% for property owners in CRS participating communities.

■ CRS credits are awarded based on 19 eligible flood protection activities in 4 major categories: public information, mapping and regulation, flood damage reduction, and flood preparedness.

■ Nationally, more than 67% of flood insurance policies are written in CRS participating communities, accounting for nearly 3.8 million policyholders in 1,200 NFIP communities, who realize over $300 million in annual savings.

■ In California, CRS benefits more than 170,500 policyholders in 83 communities, accounting for 66% of the flood policies throughout the State, and saving property owners and businesses over $14.5 million each year.

To learn more, visit http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/crs.shtm or contact the Insurance Services Office (ISO) at 317-848-2898, or nfipcrs@iso.com.

Understanding CRS

Community Rating System (CRS)

Step 1 – Meet these prerequisites:

■ Be fully compliant with the regulatory requirements of the NFIP.

■ Designate a CRS Coordinator to work with FEMA and ISO.

■ Commit to implement the activities to be credited by the CRS.

■ Agree to keep records on credited activities for CRS verification.

■ Send an annual advisory to residents of repetitively flooded areas.

Step 2 – Download the Quick Check pre-application screening tool from the California Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) website. Review the instructions and complete the Quick Check to get an estimated score for the community’s activities.

Step 3 – Send a letter of intent to join, the Quick Check results, and a letter of support from FEMA to ISO. Letter templates and instructions are on the DWR website.

Checklist to Join

For more information on CRS, contact:

Dave Arkens, ISO (technical assistance)702-354-4674; dmarkens@iso.comJim Eto, DWR (State activities)916-574-1409; jeto@water.ca.gov

Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) = A (Riverine) or V (Coastal) Zones Non-SFHA = B, C, X, D Zones

Flood Insurance Premium Discounts Based on CRS Classifications

CRS Benefits

CRS is VoluntaryWhat’s in it for our Community?

Increased Public Safety

CRS Benefits

Good Public

Relations

Reduced Losses

Money Stays in the

Community

Flood Insurance Discount

Improved Technical

Assistance

Better Informed

Constituents

Better Organized Programs

Class SFHA Discount

Non-SFHA Discount

10 0% 0%9 5% 5%8 10% 5%7 15% 5%6 20% 10%5 25% 10%4 30% 10%3 35% 10%2 40% 10%1 45% 10%

Elevated Building

Elevated Building

300 Series: Public Information Activities Max Page 400 Series: Mapping and Regulations Max Page 310 (Elevation Certificates) 410 (Floodplain Mapping)

a EC Elevation Certificates after CRS application 38 310-11 a NS New study 290 410-8b ECPO Elevation Certificate on post-FIRM buildings 48 310-13 b LEV Leverage N/A 410-14c ECPR Elevation Certificate on pre-FIRM buildings 30 310-15 c SR State review 60 410-16

320 (Map Information Service) d HSS Higher study standards 160 410-18a MI1 Providing insurance information from FIRM 30 320-7 e FWS Floodway standard 110 410-21b MI2 LiMWA/floodway info/CBRS area 20 320-9 f MAPSH Special hazards mapping 50 410-24c MI3 Other flood problems not shown on FIRM 20 320-11 g CTP Cooperating Technical Partner 132 410-25d MI4 Flood depth data 20 320-11 420 (Open Space Preservation)e MI5 Special flood-related hazards 20 320-13 a OSP Preserved open space 1,450 420-3f MI6 Historical/repetitive flood information 20 320-14 b DR Deed restriction 50 420-11g MI7 Natural floodplain functions 20 320-15 c NFOS Natural functions open space 350 420-13

330 (Outreach Projects) d SHOS Special hazards open space 50 420-19a OP Outreach projects 200 330-6 e OSI Open space incentives 250 420-20b FRP Flood response preparations 50 330-9 f LZ Low density zoning 600 420-26c PPI Program for Public Information bonus 80 330-12 g NSP Natural shoreline protection 120 420-28d STK Stakeholder bonus 50 330-17 430 (Higher Regulatory Standards)

340 (Hazard Disclosure) a DL Development limitations 1,330 430-6a DFH Real estate agent disclosure of SFHA 35 340-3 b FRB Freeboard 500 430-10b ODR Other disclosure requirements 25 340-5 c FDN Foundation protection 80 430-16c REB Real estate brochure 12 340-7 d CSI Cumulative substantial improvements 90 430-17d DOH Disclosure of other hazards 8 340-10 e LSI Lower substantial improvements 20 430-19

350 (Flood Protection Information) f PCF Protection of critical facilities 80 430-21a LIB Library 10 350-3 g ENL Enclosure limits 240 430-23b LPD Locally pertinent documents in the library 10 350-5 h BC Building code 100 430-25c WEB Website 105 350-6 i LDP Local drainage protection 120 430-29

360 (Flood Protection Assistance) j MHP Manufactured home park 15 430-31a PPA Property protection advice 40 360-4 k CAZ Coastal A Zone regulations 650 430-32b PPV Advice after a site visit 45 360-6 l SHR Special hazards regulations 100 430-35c FAA Financial assistance advice 15 360-7 m OHS Other higher standards 100 430-37d TNG Training 10 360-10 n SMS State-mandated standards 20 430-38

370 (Flood Insurance Promotion) o RA Regulations administration 67 430-40a FIA Flood insurance assessment 15 370-3b CP Coverage plan 15 370-6c CPI Plan implementation 60 370-9d TA Technical assistance 20 370-11

CRS Activities and Elements

2013 CRS Coordinator's Manual

400 Series: Mapping and Regulations Max Page 600 Series: Warning and Response Max Page 440 (Flood Data Maintenance) 610 (Flood Warning and Response)

a AMD Additional map data 160 440-3 a FTR Flood threat recognition system 75 610-5b FM FIRM maintenance 15 440-8 b EWD Emergency warning dissemination 75 610-8c BMM Benchmark maintenance 27 440-9 c FRO Flood response operations plan 115 610-11d EDM Erosion data maintenance 20 440-13 d CFP Critical facilities planning 75 610-15

450 (Stormwater Management) e SRC StormReady community 25 610-17a SMR Stormwater management regulations 380 450-4 f TRC TsunamiReady community 30 610-18b WMP Watershed master plan 315 450-14 620 (Levees)c ESC Erosion and sedimentation control 40 450-18 a LM Levee maintenance 95 620-6d WQ Water quality regulations 20 450-20 b LFR Levee failure threat recognition 30 620-10

c LFW Levee failure warning 50 620-12500 Series: Flood Damage Reduction Activities d LFO Levee failure response operations 30 620-14510 (Floodplain Management Planning) e LCF Levee failure critical facilities 30 620-16

a FMP Floodplain management planning 382 510-4 630 (Dams)b RLAA Repetitive loss area analysis 140 510-29 a SDS State dam safety program 45 630-5c NFP Natural floodplain functions plan 100 510-35 b DFR Dam failure threat recognition 30 630-6

520 (Acquisition and Relocation) c DFW Dam failure warning 35 630-8All Acquisition and relocation of buildings 2,250 520-2 d DFO Dam failure response operations 30 630-10

530 (Flood Protection) e DCF Dam failure critical facilities 20 630-12PB(R) Retrofitted buildings 1,600 530-2PB(S) Structural flood control & drainage projects 1,000 530-2

540 (Drainage System Maintenance)a CDR Channel debris removal 200 540-5b PSM Problem site maintenance 50 540-11c CIP Capital improvements program 70 540-13d SDR Stream dumping regulations 30 540-16e SBM Storage basin maintenance 120 540-18f EPM Coastal erosion protection maintenance 100 540-21

CRS Activities and Elements

2013 CRS Coordinator's Manual