Management Problems in Flood Plain Areas

Successful flood plain management requires a uniform and coordinated joint local-state-federal effort. The complexity of such a program, basic data needs, and development pressures is beyond the scope of the local units of government. It is unrealistic to expect that state agencies will have sufficient resources to cope with all statewide flood plain problems and local needs. State and local programs are limited by conflicting federal laws and policies. Federal assistance and financial incentives are needed to promote state-local action. There is an urgent need for a unified national program for managing flood losses as recommended by Congressional House Document No. 465, 89th Congress, 2nd Session (1). Differences in engineering methodology must be resolved. Flood plain management should not be considered in terms of a single purpose objective, flood damage prevention, but, properly related to an overall national or state land use policy. Major revisions in land taxation policies are needed to achieve flood plain and related environmental management objectives.