Norton Hearing on Controversial Flood Maps Will Hear from Those Most Implicated (4/01/08)

Washington, D.C. — Controversial flood plain maps that have raised concerns of congressional leaders, individuals residing in flood plains, and businesses will be examined in a hearing Wednesday, April 2 at 10:00 AM in Room 2167 of the Rayburn House Office Building by the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, chaired by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC). The subcommittee will focus on the practical impact on state and local jurisdictions of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Flood Map Modernization Program. "We have Hurricane Katrina to thank for the effort that has produced the current flood mapping exercise affecting 98% of the U.S. population in 20,000 different communities," Norton said. "This is a timely and important effort. However, below the surface are the critical, unexamined details that determine whether the remapping as chartered realistically will be accomplished." Norton cited factors such as time frames, cost effect on federally backed mortgages and on eligibility for federal disaster assistance, risk; benefits; and effect on ongoing development during the current economic downturn.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA are mapping the nation’s levees and will rate them based on whether they protect areas within flood plains. Norton said that she fears that "if the process does not sufficiently take into account the circumstances of states, localities, businesses and individuals, especially during the current economic downturn, there could be significant noncompliance that triggers yet another set of problems."

The subcommittee will not only hear from the implementing agencies, but also from representatives of those most affected. In addition, to Steven Stockton, Deputy Director of Civil Works at the Army Corps of Engineers; and David Maurstad, Assistant Administrator of the Mitigation Directorate at Federal Emergency Management Agency; five members of Congress from districts affected by flood mapping will testify. Also testifying will be Les Sterman, Larry Larson, and Chris Smith, each the head of a local agency in an affected district.