Transcript 2010 Gilbert F. White Policy Forum: FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT March 9-10, 2010 George Washington University, Washington, DC Sam Riley Medlock, JD CFM.

2010 Gilbert F. White Policy Forum:
FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT
March 9-10, 2010
George Washington University, Washington, DC
Sam Riley Medlock, JD CFM
2009-2010 Gilbert F. White Policy Series
• Symposium 1: Defining and Measuring Flood
Risk and Floodplain Resources
– September 2009 in Gaithersburg, Maryland
• Symposium 2: Risk Perception, Communication
and Behavior
– November 2009 in Washington, DC
• Roundtable on Natural Resources & Functions of
Floodplains
– November 2009 in Washington, DC
• Gilbert F. White Policy Forum: Flood Risk
Management
– March 9-10, 2010 in Washington, DC
Findings of Symposium 1: Defining and Measuring
Flood Risk and Floodplain Resources
“Flood Risk”
• Flood Risk ≠ Property Damage
– Needs to embody broader societal and
environmental concerns
• Varying views & definitions of flood risk
– Agencies have their own missions relating to
flood risk
• Common Understanding
– Desirable, but challenging
Findings of Symposium 1: Defining and Measuring
Flood Risk and Floodplain Resources
• Common Desired Outcomes
– Resilience
– Fair & just apportionment of costs
• Desirable Outcomes should cover:
– Life safety
– Economic damage
– Societal impacts
– Resilience & Recovery
– Ecological health
– Human awareness, behavior & responsibility
Roundtable on Natural Resources &
Functions of Floodplains
• Origins in the “Kitchen Cabinet”
• Establishment of an alliance among NGOs
and local, state & federal leaders
• Policy opportunities to raise awareness
and enhance resource protection &
restoration
Road to Symposium 2: Flood Risk
Perception, Communication & Behavior
• Flood Risk can be presented as a suite of
indicators, some of which can be numerical
• Keys: Accuracy, Consistency, Completeness
• Risks + Resources
Measurement
Perception
Behaviors
Findings of Symposium 2: Flood Risk
Perception, Communication & Behavior
Research Findings from Dr. Dennis Mileti
• Risk information has little or no effect on
human choices or behaviors
• More likely to respond to frequent, clear &
concise messages about specific actions
Findings of Symposium 2: Flood Risk
Perception, Communication & Behavior
• Considerations
– Messages we have been sending
– Behaviors to foster
– Challenges with terminology
– Branding Flood Risk Management
Do we need a hero?
A mascot??
2010 Forum: Flood Risk Management
• Comprehensive approach
– Engineering
– Policy
– Societal
– Ecological
• Shared responsibility
– All sectors, disciplines & levels of government
– Minimize harm, maximize benefits