Raising the Standard for Improved Flood Risk Management in the Midwest

Upper Mississippi Missouri Ohio Arkansas Red-White Lower Mississippi Interagency Levee Task Force Meeting September 11, 2008

Strategic Overview

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The ILTF continues to be a shared responsibility for flood risk management

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The concept provides consistency to address short and long-term protection

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It provides a uniform approach across regional and state boundaries

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It considers non-structural alternatives and other agency initiatives to reduce the risk of damages from future floods

FEMA

Where were are

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Regional partners identified for a collaborative process

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A facilitated comprehensive regional approach to flood risk management and recovery implemented

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Interagency partnerships (federal / state)

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Opportunities non structural solutions and other flood risk management opportunities

FEMA

Collaborative Process

Interagency Levee Task Force JFO / ILWG *

Illinois

JFO / ILWG *

Indiana

JFO / ILWG *

Iowa

JFO / ILWG *

Missouri

JFO / ILWG *

Wisconsin

* Joint Field Office / Interagency Levee Work Group

FEMA

Comprehensive

Regional Approach

 Flood Risk Management • Current short-term and long-term recovery activities ( Task forces developed for Levees, Housing, Flood Plain Management, etc.) • Opportunity to share current agency activities relative to flood risk management initiatives • What are some of the flood risk initiatives and concerns that cross state boundaries that could impact a regional approach to flood risk management?

FEMA

Interagency

Partnerships

 Partnerships • • • Coordination between State and Federal partners in identification of needs, resources and critical issues for short-term recovery Participants encouraged to identify other agencies, departments or organizations that can assist in levee restoration while looking at long-term recovery and flood risk management Opportunities to collaborate on new funding initiatives and/or legislative proposals for the region to enhance flood risk management while reducing future flood damages FEMA

Interagency

Partnerships

 Interagency Levee Work Groups at JFO • • • • Augment existing agency State and Federal programs Brainstorm new mitigation initiatives for flood plain management Apply lessons learned, best practices, innovations Identify potential re-tooling of policies, regulations and funding mechanisms to enhance long-term flood risk management FEMA

Communication

Effective Outreach

 Actions to date • We are learning organizations understanding each others missions and relationships • Reinforcing a collaborative approach to restoring flood risk management systems while linking into other long-term recovery initiatives by FEMA and the impacted states • Leveraging public affairs staff and processes to ensure that flood recovery is still a priority in the Midwest by building public confidence and support  Tools • • • Web site developed and being utilized Agency and public forums Monthly newsletter and reports FEMA

Measuring Success

SUCCESSFUL RESTORATION OF FLOOD MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ALONG WITH IDENTIFICATION OF ALL OR PORTIONS OF AN APPROPRIATE LONG-TERM STRATEGY FOR FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT AND REDUCED RISK FROM FLOODS

FEMA