MITIGATION WORKS
FEMA’s Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration -Leading the Nation to Build a Stronger, Smarter, Safer America
Sandra K. Knight, PhD, PE, D.WRE
Deputy Administrator for Mitigation
Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration
ASFPM 35th National Conference
Challenges and Opportunities for Managing Flood Risk and Floodplain Resources
FEMA Update
Some successes
Some challenges
Some opportunities
Sandra K. Knight
ASFPM 35th National Conference
May 18, 2011
2
ASFPM 35th National Conference
Challenges and Opportunities for Managing Flood Risk and Floodplain Resources
NFIP Reform
Societal
Responsibility
Variety of overlapping/competing
priorities from a vast array of
stakeholders
Economic
Development
Protecting
Citizens
Sustainability &
Resiliency
Sandra K. Knight
ASFPM 35th National Conference
Responsible
Individual
Accountability
Environmental
May 18, 2011
3
ASFPM 35th National Conference
Challenges and Opportunities for Managing Flood Risk and Floodplain Resources
FIMA Strategic Planning
Top Priorities:
Value People and
Relationships
 Engaging the Whole Community
through Strong Grassroots Efforts
 Documenting and communicating the
value of mitigation with a unified
voice
 Presenting a holistic view of FIMA
programs in a team environment
Enhance
Credibility
Advancing DisasterResilient and
Sustainable
Communities
 Promote Employee Empowerment in
an Environment of Collaboration and
Innovation
Sandra K. Knight
ASFPM 35th National Conference
May 18, 2011
4
ASFPM 35th National Conference
Challenges and Opportunities for Managing Flood Risk and Floodplain Resources
Reducing Flood Risk is a Joint Effort
NORF
MA
Sandra K. Knight
ASFPM 35th National Conference
May 18, 2011
5
ASFPM 35th National Conference
Challenges and Opportunities for Managing Flood Risk and Floodplain Resources
Things That Make Me Lose Sleep #1 -- Levees
Sandra K. Knight
ASFPM 35th National Conference
May 18, 2011
6
ASFPM 35th National Conference
Challenges and Opportunities for Managing Flood Risk and Floodplain Resources
Sandra K. Knight
ASFPM 35th National Conference
May 18, 2011
7
ASFPM 35th National Conference
Challenges and Opportunities for Managing Flood Risk and Floodplain Resources
Things That Make Me Lose Sleep #2 -- Dams
Sandra K. Knight
ASFPM 35th National Conference
May 18, 2011
8
ASFPM 35th National Conference
Challenges and Opportunities for Managing Flood Risk and Floodplain Resources
The National Dam Safety Program
The NDSP which is led by FEMA, is a
partnership of Federal, State, and other
stakeholders which promotes individual
and community responsibility for dam
safety.
Sandra K. Knight
ASFPM 35th National Conference
May 18, 2011
9
ASFPM 35th National Conference
Challenges and Opportunities for Managing Flood Risk and Floodplain Resources
Things That Make Me Lose Sleep #3:
Need for National Strategic Water Resource Policy
Sandra K. Knight
ASFPM 35th National Conference
May 18, 2011
10
ASFPM 35th National Conference
Challenges and Opportunities for Managing Flood Risk and Floodplain Resources
FEMA and Federal Partners in Water Policy
•Federal Interagency Floodplain
Management Task Force
•National Committee on Levee Safety
(NCLS)
•USACE/FEMA/OMB Levee Task Force
•WRDA Principles & Standards Update
Sandra K. Knight
ASFPM 35th National Conference
May 18, 2011
11
ASFPM 35th National Conference
Challenges and Opportunities for Managing Flood Risk and Floodplain Resources
Things That Make Me Lose Sleep #4 –
Valuing Mitigation
Sandra K. Knight
ASFPM 35th National Conference
May 18, 2011
12
ASFPM 35th National Conference
Challenges and Opportunities for Managing Flood Risk and Floodplain Resources
Communicating the Value
 Key strategic priority for FIMA
 FEMA’s National Advisory
Committee is assisting
 Need others – including you
Sandra K. Knight
ASFPM 35th National Conference
May 18, 2011
13
ASFPM 35th National Conference
Challenges and Opportunities for Managing Flood Risk and Floodplain Resources
FEMA & ASFPM -- A Continuing Partnership
Sandra K. Knight
ASFPM 35th National Conference
May 18, 2011
14
ASFPM 35th National Conference
Challenges and Opportunities for Managing Flood Risk and Floodplain Resources
Other Issues – Endangered Species
Other Issues – Global Climate Change
Sandra K. Knight
ASFPM 35th National Conference
May 18, 2011
15
ASFPM 35th National Conference
Challenges and Opportunities for Managing Flood Risk and Floodplain Resources
Other Issues – Land Use
Other Issues – Transportation/Infrastructure/Lifelines
Sandra K. Knight
ASFPM 35th National Conference
May 18, 2011
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