A Publication
for Members
THE INSIDER
May
2006
The Association of State Floodplain Managers
2809 Fish Hatchery Rd., Madison, WI 53713 www.floods.org
608-274-0123 Fax: 608-274-0696 memberhelp@floods.org
June 11-16, 2006 is Our 30th Annual
National Conference!
The EARLY BIRD DEADLINE is Saturday May 13,
so get your registrations in today!
In This Issue
Click on any of the following links, or simply
scroll down for entire newsletter.
ASFPM’s 30th Annual Conference
Executive Director’s Report
ASFPM Assistance with the MS/LA Chapter
Joint Conference
NFIP Hurricane Season 2006 General
Talking Points
MSNBC Live Vote
FEMA.gov Gets a Makeover
May is American Wetlands Month
Notice on Cost Share Adjustments for
Disasters
FMA Call for Technical Presentations
NJAFM Call for Presentations
Washington Legislative Report
CFM Corner
News from Chapters
Floodplain Manager’s Calendar
Job Corner
ASFPM’s 30th annual conference will be held in historic
Albuquerque, New Mexico -- now a vibrant, multicultural
metropolis with a fascinating blend of Spanish, Mexican,
Native American, Anglo and Asian influences. This
year’s theme, Floodplain Management Crossroads:
Where Route 66 Meets the Rio Grande, will focus on
examining crucial decision points as we explore the
lessons we are learning from the massive devastation of
the 2005 hurricanes. Be sure to review the agenda when
making your travel plans so you don’t miss out on our
incredible array of training options. We promise to
provide you with lots of new tools to help you do your
job! It is extremely important to check the conference
web page occasionally for exciting additions and
inevitable program changes. The conference pocket guide with the full program will be available on the
conference web page by the end of May, so you can download and explore that before you head to
Albuquerque.
Schedule highlights:

Saturday June 10: ASFPM Board of Directors meeting 1:00-6:00 p.m.

Sunday June 11: Ten training workshops, one technical field tour, golf tournament, 1-on-1
conversation with our Policy Committee Chairs 2:00-5:00 p.m. and Welcome Fiesta 7:30-10:00 p.m.

Monday June 12: ASFPM Committee and Membership meetings, seven training workshops, two
technical field tours, the CFM exam, Silent Auction for the Foundation and Exhibits Grand Opening.

Tuesday-Thursday June 13-15: Technical conference program commences with plenary and
concurrent sessions, with Keynote Luncheon Tuesday and National Awards Luncheon Thursday.

Wednesday June 14: Early Bird Discussion Sessions 7:00-8:15 a.m., special map mod sessions 1:304:00 p.m., LIVE AUCTION 5:00-5:30 p.m. and Appreciation Reception for Foundation Donors 5:306:30 p.m.

Thursday June 15: ASFPM Region Meetings 7:15-8:15 a.m. and final networking at Los Amigos
6:00-10:00 p.m.

Friday June 16: Six training workshops, two technical field tours and CFM exam.
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May 2006
1
REGISTRATION: The EARLY BIRD DEADLINE is Saturday May 13. Fax or mail both
Registration Forms A and B by this date to lock in the discounted rate and save your employer $75. Very
few Exhibits booths remain, so lock that in post-haste. Technical field tours and training workshops are
filling up quickly and will close, so get those forms in now! You can find the forms at:
http://www.floods.org/Conferences,%20Calendar/Albuquerque/ASFPM_2006_Registration_Forms.pdf
HOTEL INFO: Adjacent hotels are sold out (Hyatt and Doubletree), though you could check back in a
couple weeks for cancellations. We have a list of other area hotels on our conference webpage:
http://www.floods.org/Conferences,%20Calendar/ALBQHotels.asp
SILENT AUCTION: We are still accepting donations for the Silent Auction to be held MondayWednesday. All proceeds go to ASFPM Foundation’s efforts in research and education. Questions?
Contact Debbie Pond at asfpm@floods.org. Here is the current list of items up for bid:
http://www.floods.org/Conferences,%20Calendar/silentauction2006.asp
GOLF TOURNEY: They still have spots available; please click here to get contact information to sign
up. http://www.floods.org/Conferences,%20Calendar/golf06.asp
The Conference is headquartered at the City Convention Center downtown. The 2006 Team consists of
New Mexico Chapter members with Local Host Grant Pinkerton, Program Coordinator Valerie Swick
(Flood Control District of Maricopa County, Arizona), Exhibits Coordinator Dan Accurti (Pennsylvania),
and of course the Association staff – Diane, Anita, Chad, Debbie, Becky, George, Alan and Larry. We all
hope to see you in Albuquerque!
Return to Table of Contents
Executive Director’s Report
Larry Larson, CFM
The questions I get asked after each trip to the Gulf Coast to work with those impacted by Katrina, Rita,
Wilma, and others include: How is the recovery coming? Are things getting back together? How are the
people and communities doing?
I realize it is presumptuous of me to answer for those people and communities along the Gulf Coast, but
there is a real concern among all of our members and surely among all the hazard management
professionals in the nation. Knowing how things are evolving in the recovery helps them judge the
effectiveness of programs that will impact them and their communities in similar catastrophic events, and
will help them judge if there are things they can do to support the Gulf Coast recovery.
In general, my response is: The recovery is proceeding differently in different locations. In many ways,
the disaster was different. In areas where the storm surge wiped out nearly everything in its path,
communities and property owners may be ready to begin the rebuilding process, since most of the debris
of their structures is now picked up. There, once the community has decided which areas can be rebuilt
and has adopted appropriate codes and standards, permits are being issued and applications for mitigation
assistance projects are being prepared for cost share funding.
In many parts of New Orleans and other parishes in Louisiana, many of the heavily damaged structures
are still standing, but they sat in contaminated water for weeks so thousands of them haven’t been touched
since the disaster. Often, the community has not yet decided which areas should be rebuilt or where
community services will be provided. Often, the future options may depend on the actions of others, such
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May 2006
2
as funding for the levees. In those areas, property owners are still in considerable limbo and mitigation
applications will take longer to put together. Both Mississippi and Louisiana have added mitigation
programs where the policy on mitigation assistance is set by a Governor’s commission on the use of
specially appropriated Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. If grants are given to
individual property owners before community-wide mitigation proposals can be put together, the
community applications may become more difficult or complex.
Many from the outside see this as an opportunity to reshape the communities to be safer from flood and
hurricane risk (thus more sustainable). Others wonder if the new approaches will result in bolstering the
economy, social fabric and environment for the quality of life. Those are obviously laudable goals we
would all want to achieve, but are easier to discuss in the abstract than in community meetings where
citizens want to get their life and property back to some sort of “normal” as quickly and affordably as
possible. All of those goals aren’t always aligned, even with the best of intentions.
We know the Gulf Coast will be involved in this recovery for years, even decades. Some citizens and
communities will rebuild relatively quickly, whereas others will struggle with the economic and political
decisions for a long time. Those of us in the profession, but from the outside, can suggest what we feel is
wise use of public dollars for this effort, but cannot impose our will on the individual or community
alternatives. That must be done in a careful and collective way by those living in the Gulf Coast. We
can, however, provide assistance using our expertise and experience when asked by those in the Gulf
Coast - whether that is training, advice or other skills we have. ASFPM has been and will continue to do
that. Everyone I have worked with from the Gulf Coast is committed to making safer and more
sustainable communities. ASFPM and our members are prepared and ready to assist.
Return to Table of Contents
ASFPM Assistance with the MS/LA Chapter Joint Conference
Natchez, MS - April 19-21, 2006
In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the ASFPM Board of Directors allocated funds to
support efforts by ASFPM staff and volunteers to assist impacted Gulf Coast States and communities.
One example of that support is the training ASFPM provided in conjunction with the Louisiana and
Mississippi Chapters’ joint conference in Natchez, MS. The sessions ASFPM coordinated included a
half-day workshop on “Helping Flooded Communities Help Themselves: A Patchwork Quilt of Funding
Sources”, a full-day training session on Floodplain Management 101, and presentations on ASFPM
services to Chapters, ASFPM coordination of volunteers in response to Katrina, legal issues associated
with floodplain management and floodproofing.
The “Patchwork Quilt Funding Workshop” was developed to provide communities with information on
the myriad of funding sources and how they might put them together as they work to rebuild – hence the
title “Helping Flooded Communities Help Themselves: A Patchwork Quilt of Funding Sources”. A
session similar to this was conducted in some states following the “Midwest Floods of ‘93”. It was the
brainchild of Ed Thomas (when he was the FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer in Iowa) and was well
received by Midwest States and communities as they worked to recover from the floods of 1993 and
again in 1996. The magnitude of the destruction caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita was such that it
was apparent this was needed again. We brought in a variety of speakers that had experience in flood
hazard mitigation and also provided attendees with a Disaster Recovery Resource Directory that
summarized funding sources, a 3 ring binder with a listing of federal, state, non-profit and philanthropic
funding sources, as well as lists of program contacts in Mississippi and Louisiana. In addition, the
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Directory includes a matrix showing situations where various FEMA mitigation funds apply. Invited
speakers were extremely cooperative considering their busy schedules, and FEMA and the Mississippi
Office of Recovery & Renewal provided materials that were very useful for the Resource Guide.
We received positive feedback on the “Patchwork Quilt Funding Workshop” held in Natchez and hope
these materials will find their way to all local officials working on the recovery. The workshop agenda
and materials developed for the Disaster Funding Resource Directory are posted on ASFPM’s web site at
http://www.floods.org/theorganization/patchwork_quilt.asp. ASFPM is willing to work with other States
to tailor the Directory and training materials to your State or community. If there is a venue where you
feel this workshop would be useful, please contact ASFPM Project Manager Alan Lulloff at
alan@floods.org.
We would like to extend our thanks to the people that helped with the MS-LA conference sessions:
 Ed Thomas (Michael Baker Corp, Boston, MA), Clancy Philipsborn (AMEC, Denver, CO) and
Rod Emmer (Rodney E. Emmer Associates, Baton Rouge, LA) donated their time to help put
together the training materials and facilitate the Patchwork Quilt Funding Workshop. Ed did
double duty and also gave a presentation on NAI Legal Issues.
 Paul Osman (Illinois State Floodplain Manager) donated his time to help put together training
materials and conduct the day-long FPM 101 class. Paul also was the person that first urged
ASFPM to facilitate getting State floodplain management volunteers to the Gulf Coast and he
spent 2 weeks in MS himself as part of that effort. Therefore, he was the logical person to
summarize ASFPM’s efforts coordinating Katrina volunteers using EMAC (the Emergency
Management Assistance Compact) at the opening plenary session.
 Brian Sanderson (MS Governor’s Office of Renewal & Recovery) provided information on
Mississippi’s Community Development Block Grants and how they are attempting to bundle
available recovery funds.
 Jacki Bell and Jane Rovins (FEMA Region IV) gave presentations on projects that included both
Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Public Assistance (PA) grants and provided resource
materials for the Patchwork Quilt Funding Workshop.
 Bob Boteler (MS) and Shane Rauh (LA) provided State Hazard Mitigation Officer perspectives at
the Patchwork Quilt Funding Workshop.
 Pat Skinner (Co-chair of ASFPM’s Floodproofing Committee) gave a presentation on
Floodproofing with Joe Remondini, (COE, Tulsa).
Thanks to the ASFPM Board of Directors, and especially Rhonda Montgomery (Co-chair of ASFPM’s
Training Committee), for dedicating resources to assist States and communities in their efforts to safely
recover from the hurricanes of 2005.
Also, thanks to Lisa Reid and James Demouchet (MS and LA Conference Program Chairs), Cindy O’Neil
and Al Goodman (State Floodplain Managers from LA and MS), and Rodney Smith and Mike Hunicutt
(incoming Chairs of the LA and MS Chapters) for identifying communities needs and being great hosts.
Return to Table of Contents
NFIP Hurricane Season 2006 General Talking Points
The importance of communicating flood risk to all Americans is critical as the beginning of the 2006
Hurricane Season nears, with experts predicting another active storm season. To mark 30-days before
June 1st, Director of FEMA's Mitigation Division and Federal Insurance Administrator, David Maurstad,
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will be speaking to the press in an effort to increase awareness of hurricane season flooding and
emphasize the 30-day wait before a flood insurance policy becomes effective.
In support of the effort to communicate to local communities their flood risk and protection options, the
FloodSmart team has developed General Hurricane Season Talking Points that also includes an agentspecific section, NFIP Hurricane Season 2006 Insurance Agent Talking Points. This document
provides critical messages to use in helping property owners and renters understand and prepare for the
risk of flooding.
The full article is available on our website at:
http://www.floods.org/PDF/FEMA_NFIP_Hurricane_Season_04906.pdf
Return to Table of Contents
MSNBC Live Vote on Replacing FEMA with a New Agency
There was a Live Survey on the MSNBC website where you could have voted on the following question:
Do you support the Senate committee's suggestion of replacing FEMA with a new agency still under
Homeland Security?
You can read the whole story on MSCBC.com at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12505146/
You can view the survey results online at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12510957/from/ET/
Here are the results:
Yes, even though it'd be under Homeland Security it would directly communicate with the president and
large budget changes would be determined by Congress.
33%
No, FEMA should stand alone, not within Homeland Security, as it did before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
67%
Not a scientific survey. Click to learn more. Results may not total 100% due to rounding.
Return to Table of Contents
FEMA.gov Gets a Makeover
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has launched a completely reengineered
www.fema.gov Web site. The new site has a restructured navigation system designed to make it easier for
citizens, emergency personnel, businesses, and federal, state, and local government agencies to quickly
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find the information they need on FEMA's disaster training, preparation, mitigation, response, and
recovery efforts and services.
In developing the new site, FEMA conducted a year-long usability study of their Web site and
implemented recommendations from victims of disasters and those involved in disaster response and
recovery efforts. The FEMA Web site will be the first in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to
roll out the department's new Web branding.
To learn more about the development of the new FEMA.gov design, you can visit their website at:
www.fema.gov/media/newhomepage.shtm.
Return to Table of Contents
May is American Wetlands Month
During the month of May, the Nation will celebrate American Wetlands Month, focusing on the
economic benefits that wetlands provide. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joins with
other federal, state and local agencies and private partners to recognize the wonderful ways that wetlands
enrich the environment and society. Events are scheduled all across the country to educate and involve
Americans in better understanding the importance of one of Earth’s most valuable and fragile ecosystems.
Also known as marshes, swamps and bogs, wetlands are important for flood control, acting as buffers to
absorb and reduce damage caused by flood waters. They also help to remove pollutants from water,
cleaning streams and lakes, thereby reducing the cost of drinking water treatment. Wetlands are
productive ecosystems, which support sometimes rare plant and animal habitat. They are important to the
multi-billion dollar commercial fishing industry and provide a boost to recreational industry activities,
such as fishing, birding, canoeing and hunting. While more than half of the nation’s original wetlands
have been lost or converted to other uses in the lower 48 states, EPA’s goal is an over all increase in
quality and quantity of wetlands nationwide. To learn more about activities for American Wetlands
Month, please visit www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/awm/ and the Izaak Walton League of America’s
website at www.iwla.org. Information about wetlands is available at www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands.
Return to Table of Contents
Notice on Cost Share Adjustments for Disasters
This article is from the Natural Hazards Observer, March 2006 (Vol. XXX Number 4)
The complete text of the notice is in the January 30, 2006 Federal Register (Vol. 71, No. 19, pp. 4930-4931)
Pursuant to a final rule issued in 1999, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) annually
adjusts the statewide per capita threshold used to recommend an increase of the federal cost share from 75
percent to not more than 90 percent of the eligible cost of permanent work under section 406 and
emergency work under section 403 and section 407 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act). The adjustment to the threshold is based on the Consumer
Price Index for All Urban Consumers published annually by the U.S. Department of Labor. For disasters
declared between January 1 and December 31, 2006, the qualifying threshold is $114 of state
population. This means that if a disaster is so extraordinary that actual federal obligations under the
Stafford Act, excluding FEMA administrative costs, meet or exceed $114 per capita, FEMA may
recommend a 90 percent federal/10 percent state cost-share arrangement, as opposed to the normal 75
percent/25 percent requirement.
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Call for Technical Presentations for the Floodplain Management Association
2006 Annual Conference
The Floodplain Management Association (California, Nevada, and Hawaii Chapters) is pleased to
announce its Call for Technical Presentations for its 2006 Annual Conference! Please e-mail your
abstracts by June 1 to be included in this outstanding floodplain management conference, titled
"Challenges in Sustainable Floodplain Management and Development".
The conference will be held at the Coronado Marriott, September 5-8 in Coronado, California
(http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/SANCI). Please download the Call for Technical
Presentations for details from http://www.floodplain.org/pdf/Call_For_Presentations.pdf
Return to Table of Contents
NJAFM Call for Presentations for their Annual Conference, Oct. 26 - 27, 2006
This Call for Presentations is your invitation to join a broad range of professionals in New Jersey to be
part of a dialogue to address issues associated with floodplain and emergency management. The
presentations and attendees will include elected officials, scientists, engineers, surveyors, regulators, code
officials, emergency managers, insurance agents, real estate agents, land use board members,
conservationists and vendors. Concurrent sessions, plenary sessions, networking events and a
comprehensive exposition of products and services provide an enticing forum for exchange of
information.
Submittal Process:
Anyone wishing to present is requested to submit (via email) a brief description of the proposed
presentation (please use MSWord). Presenters will need to be paid registrants attending the conference.
Presentations will generally be 20 minutes in length with time immediately afterward for questions.
Provide the name(s) of author(s) and presentation title. The lead presenter must provide his/her
title, place of employment, telephone number and e-mail address.
Deadline is August 1, 2006.
Email your proposed presentation description to: Mr. Cleighton D. Smith, PE, CFM Email:
Cleighton.smith@dewberry.com, phone number (856) 802-0843 x 3107
Return to Table of Contents
Washington Legislative Report
Meredith R. Inderfurth, Washington Liaison
Rebecca C. Quinn, Legislative Officer
Poised for Action
The coming month is very likely to see House of Representatives passage of the newest flood insurance
reform legislation and Senate mark-up of its own version of flood insurance reform. Staff work is
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continuing on levee inventory and safety legislation in the House. Appropriations subcommittees in the
House will begin marking up their bills for the FY 2007 agency budgets during the first week of May.
Some Senate subcommittee mark-ups could occur later in the month. The House Homeland Security
Committee is very likely to take some action on the bill (no bill number yet) introduced April 27th which
would significantly reconstitute FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security.
On Flood Insurance Reform
Although H.R. 4973 was reported out of the House Financial Services Committee on April 6 th, the
measure has not yet been brought to the House floor for a vote. The Committee Report is H.Rept. 109410. A manager’s amendment is being developed to make a number of technical changes to the bill.
Significantly for ASFPM, it is anticipated that it will contain some refinement of the bill language on
expedited community adoption of post-disaster advisory maps. The House Bill is likely to make some
provision that communities must use the advisory elevation data while the map adoption process is going
on. ASFPM will suggest that the Senate consider (too late for House bill) that an alternative to forcing
community adoption of advisory maps could be to require actuarial insurance premiums based on the new
flood data for all new development after the date advisory or preliminary maps are provided to the
community. Some of the delay in bringing the bill to the floor has been due to subcommittee attention to
other matters since returning from the Spring recess – rural housing and title insurance issues. At this
point, it looks as if the bill will be brought up during either the second or third week of May.
The April issue of News & Views includes a summary of H.R. 4973. News & Views can be found on the
ASFPM website.
Senate mark-up of its version of flood insurance reform has also been delayed. In that case, the
Committee has been focused on regulatory reform matters. Mark-up of the flood legislation is apparently
imminent, however. No Senate bill has been introduced, but the Committee is developing draft
legislation for mark-up. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) has introduced S. 2005 which provides for additional
mapping tasks, including mapping the 500 year floodplain and “residual risk” areas behind levees and
below dams. It would authorize $400 million/year for FEMA mapping activities and would re-establish
the Technical Mapping Advisory Council. It is likely that Senator Reed’s bill will become part of a
Senate flood insurance reform bill.
On Levee Inventory and Safety
Chairman John Duncan (R-TN) of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, introduced H.R. 4650, The National Levee Safety
Program Act. The bill provides for a national inventory of levees, including those that are privately,
locally or federally owned, built or maintained. It calls for a general finding of condition for each levee
and sets up a levee safety program patterned on the existing dam safety program.
ASFPM Chair Pam Pogue testified at a hearing on the bill on April 6th. An article on the contents of the
testimony can be found on Page 10 of the April News & Views. Others testifying were: Army Corps of
Engineers, National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies (NAFSMA) and
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). ASFPM’s testimony is on the website. All testimony can
be reviewed by going to the Committee’s home page through http://thomas.loc.gov.
The Committee intends to mark-up the legislation during this session. At this point, staff is continuing to
study the issues and mark-up is more likely in June than in May.
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On Appropriations
Supplemental
The full Senate will continue to consider the most recent emergency appropriations bill, H.R. 4939,
during the first week of May. The measure, as passed by the House, provides funds for Iraq, the war on
terrorism and hurricane recovery at about the level requested by the President.
As reported out of the Senate Appropriations Committee, however, the bill exceeds the amount requested
by the President by $14 billion. The White House has threatened to veto a bill that exceeds the
President’s request. Several hurricane recovery related amendments were considered last week and more
are expected as consideration of the bill proceeds. The bill provides funds for various Katrina/Rita
recovery efforts, levee repairs and flood control projects. At present, the bill still contains language
associated with the additional appropriation for the Community Development Grant Program (CDBG)
which states, “None of the funds provided under this heading may be used by a state or locality as a
matching requirement, share or contribution for any other federal program.” CDBG funds are almost
always able to be used for non-federal match.
FY 2007 Appropriations bills
The House Appropriations Subcommittees are scheduled to begin marking up their bills during the first
week of May. The DHS Appropriations bill is tentatively scheduled for mark-up on May 11th. In the case
of appropriations measures, there is no draft bill. Public comments are based on the President’s budget
request and are submitted either as outside witness testimony or in the form of a letter to the Committee.
The bill is actually put together at mark-up using the Chairman’s recommendations as a draft document.
The Senate Appropriations Committee has not yet set dates for mark-ups. Historically (but not always),
appropriations bills originate in the House. The Senate Appropriations Committee will be fully occupied
during the first week of May with the Supplemental Appropriations bill on the Senate floor. At this point,
there is no approved Budget Resolution to guide appropriations mark-ups. It is unclear at this point
whether or not the Appropriations Committee will wait for a Budget Resolution. Since this is an election
year, there is considerable interest in acting on appropriations bills as early as possible.
On FEMA’s Future
Capitol Hill attention to FEMA’s ability to fulfill its mission as the agency is presently structured has
dramatically increased. All three major studies of the response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have been
completed as of the end of April. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs (HSGAC) issued the Executive Summary and Recommendations of its report, with the full 700
page report to be released during the first week of May. That report, Hurricane Katrina: A Nation Still
Unprepared, recommends abolishing FEMA and reconstructing it within the Department of Homeland
Security as the National Preparedness and Response Authority(NPRA). The materials released so far are
posted on the Committee’s home page, available through http://thomas.loc.gov. It does call for reuniting
preparedness functions with FEMA’s other responsibilities and restoring the grant making and state and
local coordination functions to FEMA (rather NPRA) as well. It recommends a direct line of
communication and authority with the White House during a disaster, but stops far short of providing the
agency with autonomy and a direct White House connection for its preparedness, mitigation and policy
development activities.
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The Senate Committee has not developed legislation to advance its recommendations yet. Plans call for
legislative hearings but these have not yet been scheduled.
The House Homeland Security Committee, however, did introduce a bill on April 27 th, which appears to
incorporate many of the Senate report’s recommendations. As of press time, the bill did not have a
number and the text has not been available for review. Look for it to be posted on the Committee’s home
page very soon. Indications are that the House Homeland Security Committee would like to act on its
proposal quickly.
Other bills have been introduced in both the House and Senate which would re-establish FEMA as an
independent agency. HR 3656 was introduced by Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) and many cosponsors; HR
3659 was introduced by Reps. Oberstar (D-MN) and Norton (D-DC); HR 4493 was introduced by Rep
Oberstar and many others; HR 3816 was introduced by Rep. Udall (D-CO) and HR 3685 was introduced
by Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) and several cosponsors. The ASFPM Board resolution two years ago takes
the position that FEMA should be restored to independent status. In advocating independent agency
status, it is important to include reconstituting the agency with the preparedness, grant and state and local
coordination functions so that all aspects of hazards management are included.
Also of interest:
Coastal Barrier Reauthorization Act
The House Resources Committee reported out S. 1869 which would reauthorize the Coastal Barrier
Resources System (CBRS) through 2010. The bill would also provide for finalizing the Digital Mapping
Pilot Project and for digitizing all remaining CBRS area maps. The bill has already passed the Senate.
All referenced legislation can be viewed at http://thomas.loc.gov.
Return to Table of Contents
CFM® Corner
Email for certification questions is cfm@floods.org This section will appear in each issue of the Insider.
For suggestions on specific topics or questions to be covered, please send an email to Anita at this
address in the ASFPM Office.
Getting Excited About the CFM® Code of Ethics
Written by Ann Yakimovicz, CFM, Texas
When you complete and sign the application to become a Certified Floodplain Manager you agree to
follow the CFM Code of Ethics. Have you ever wondered why a Code of Ethics is important for a CFM?
We say that a CFM is a professional, and that the practice of floodplain management is a profession. How
does the Code of Ethics fit into being a professional?
Divinity, law and medicine are familiar occupations. They were the first professions, created in the
Middle Ages. Other occupations such as engineering, architecture and landscape architecture developed,
then became professions, and the number of professions has continued to grow. Over time, five common
characteristics to be a profession became clear: (1) a specialized and complex body of knowledge, (2)
autonomy in performing the work, (3) self-governance of the professional field, (4) standards for
admission, and (5) service to society.
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A professional has a unique power and authority because of his or her special knowledge and skill that a
person on the street does not have. So a Code of Ethics serves to protect the public and confirms that we
all agree about what professional behavior is. A Code not only defines accepted/acceptable behaviors, it
helps promote high standards of practice, provides a benchmark for members to use for self-evaluation,
establishes a framework for professional behavior and responsibility, and is a mark of occupational
maturity. It also makes working with other professionals easier.
A Code of Ethics helps set the CFM apart. It says that, as professionals, we adhere to a higher standard of
behavior. We work to make sure we are worthy of the public trust and the trust of our colleagues. If you
haven’t read it recently, take a look at the CFM Code of Ethics. Recognize the unique value it gives each
of us working in floodplain management. Note the final clause at the end of the Code of Ethics. If you’re
already a CFM, “Stand tall and proud…” If you’re still thinking about becoming a CFM, think beyond the
exam to the value of the Code of Ethics for your work and career.
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News from Chapters
A new area we are adding to the newsletter. Chapter Chairs or Chapter newsletter editors are
encouraged to email Anita at cfm@floods.org with articles or information happening in your Chapter.
During a recent ASFPM Board of Directors conference call meeting, the Board approved the Chapter
Directors’ recommendation to accept the Kentucky Association of Mitigation Managers application for
Chapter membership in ASFPM. Check them out at http://www.kymitigation.org/
This brings the total number of Chapters of ASFPM to 23.
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Floodplain Manager’s Calendar
Below are just several of the upcoming conferences & training opportunities, for a full listing, visit our online
calendar at http://www.floods.org/Conferences,%20Calendar/calendar.asp .
May 5 - 9, 2006
May 7 - 9, 2006
May 10 – 12, 2006
May 16 – 18, 2006
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May 2006
River Network’s 7th
Annual National River
Rally 2006
Bretton Woods, NH
2006 ASDSO West
Regional Conference
Sheraton Hotel, Overton
Park, Kansas
Missouri Floodplain and
Stormwater Manager's
Association Annual
Conference
Lake Ozark, MO
2006 KAMM Annual
Conference,
Cumberland Park, KY- 12
core CECs
11
www.rivernetwork.org
www.damsafety.org
www.mfsma.com
www.kymitigation.org
May 21 – 25, 2006
June 11 – 16, 2006
July 16 -22, 2006
August 1, 2006
October 26 – 27, 2006
World Environment &
Water Resources Congress
Omaha, NE
ASFPM 30th Annual
Conference, Albuquerque,
NM - 12 core CECs
The Institute for the Study
of Society & Environment
(ISSE) Climate & Health
Colloquium
Boulder, CO
Deadline for Abstracts for
NJFMA Conference
NJMFA 2nd Annual
Conference
www.ewrinstitute.org
www.floods.org
memberhelp@floods.org
www.isse.ucar.edu
cleighton.smith@dewberry.com
mark.mauriello@dep.state.nj.us
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Job Corner
Visit our online job corner at http://www.floods.org/StatePOCs/jobs.asp for a complete listing of all job openings.
O’Brien Engineering, Inc.
Water Resources Professional Engineer
O’Brien Engineering, Inc. has an immediate opening for a licensed professional engineer (civil) with a
background in water resources. An EIT who has four years of experience and will sit for the PE exam in
April or October of 2006 should apply, as all applications will be seriously considered. Applicants should
hold a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in Civil Engineering or a related field and have five to
ten (5-10) years of experience. Project management training is a plus. The successful candidate will be
highly motivated and should be proficient with HEC programs (HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, HEC-1, HEC-2)
and AutoCAD or Microstation. Description:
• Must have an understanding and proficiency of municipal, state, and federal regulations regarding
activities that affect runoff, creeks, floodplains, and US waters (Corps of Engineers Section 404 program).
• Development of solutions to erosion, flooding, drainage and reclamation problems. Providing specific
project direction to junior engineers and technicians. Providing direction to office assistants and
technicians in researching and obtaining record drawings, reports, studies, mapping and other documents
needed for modeling a specific system.
• Modeling of watersheds using HEC-HMS and HEC-1 for the purposes of detention analysis, design and
sizing of outlet facilities, frequency analysis, effects of urbanization, etc.
• Modeling of creek channels and floodplains using HEC-RAS and HEC-2 for the purposes of floodplain
management and reclamation, erosion analysis and erosion control design, hydraulic structure sizing and
design, channelization, scour analysis, etc.
• Making field observations to determine runoff, routing, and backwater modeling parameters.
• Preparation of permit applications including report writing and graphics necessary to obtain approval
from US Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, TCEQ and local municipalities.
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May 2006
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• Coordination with other disciplines including civil engineers, wetlands biologists, structural engineers,
architects, and surveyors to achieve project goals and regulatory compliance.
Civil Engineer/Hydrologist - EIT
O’Brien Engineering, Inc. has an immediate opening for an Engineer-in-Training with a background
(education or experience) in water resources. Candidates should hold a Bachelor of Science or Master of
Science in Civil Engineering. Duties include:
- Developing an understanding and proficiency of municipal, state, and federal regulations regarding
activities that affect runoff, creeks, floodplains, and US waters (Corps of Engineers Section 404 program).
- Modeling of watersheds using HEC-1 and HECHMS for the purposes of detention analysis, design and
sizing of outlet facilities, frequency analysis, effects of urbanization, etc.
- Modeling of creek channels and floodplains using HEC-2, HEC-RAS for the purposes of floodplain
management and reclamation, erosion analysis and erosion control design, hydraulic structure sizing and
design, channelization, scour analysis, etc.
- Preparation of permit applications including report writing and graphics necessary to obtain approval
from US Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, TCEQ, and local municipalities.
Coordination with other disciplines including civil engineers, wetlands biologists, structural engineers,
architects, and surveyors to achieve project goals and regulatory compliance.
- Providing direction to office assistants and technicians in researching and obtaining record drawings,
reports, studies, mapping and other documents needed for modeling a specific system.
The successful candidate must be highly motivated with good oral and written communication skills.
Familiarity with HEC programs (HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, HEC-1, HEC-2) and AutoCAD is preferred.
Experience using Microstation and/or Land Desktop is a plus.
**Salary is commensurate with education and experience.
O’Brien Engineering, Inc. (Dallas, TX) is a consulting civil engineering firm providing site design and
permitting with specialties in hydraulics, hydrology, and floodplain administration. Established in 1987,
our goal is to provide the client with the highest level of service and knowledge possible in a cost
effective and timely manner. OEI is a small firm with a solid reputation in North Texas, providing an
employee with a unique, ground-floor opportunity as it is coupled with an established company. We offer
highly competitive salary, which is commensurate with experience, and benefits including medical,
dental, vision, retirement plan, and advancement opportunities. OEI is an equal opportunity employer.
To apply, please e-mail resume and cover letter to jobs@oeidallas.com, fax to 972-233-2818, or mail to
14900 Landmark Blvd., Suite 530, Dallas, TX 75254.
____________________________________________________________________________________
NY State Map Mod Assistance
University at Albany, State University of NY & NY State Dept of Environmental Conservation
Floodplain Mapping and Program Specialist
Salary: $30,000 to $40,000
We have an opening for an entry level position to assist with map modernization priorities, project
scoping and map adoption in New York State. See http://hr.albany.edu/vacancy/prof/P06-20.htm for
details and application instructions. Please contact William Nechamen at 518-402-8146 or
wsnecham@gw.dec.state.ny.us for further information.
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May 2006
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_____________________________________________________________________________________
Black & Veatch
Civil Engineer
Are you a Civil Engineer interested in a challenging position and “Building a World of Difference?” If so,
Black & Veatch has an opportunity located in Seattle, Washington that may be just what you’re looking
for.
Duties:
Direct and coordinate work at the Seattle office under the FEMA Multi Hazard Flood Map Modernization
contract.
Client coordination with the FEMA Region X office in Bothell, Washington.
Direction of a team of 4 or more water resources engineers, GIS personnel, and environmental scientists
who will perform review/approval of FEMA Letters of Map Revision/Amendment, coordination with and
review of work by other FEMA A/E contractors, meetings with communities, and training of
communities in the use of NFIP documents.
Requirements:
- B.S. Civil Engineering required; M. S. desired.
- 7 to 12 years of experience.
- CFM desired.
- Experience in the Pacific Northwest with hydrologic and hydraulic modeling using the Corps of
Engineers HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS programs and in floodplain mapping.
- Experience contributing to business development (proposal development, project interviews) with
Federal or municipal clients in the Pacific Northwest.
- Good communication (verbal and written) and client coordination skills are required.
- Knowledge of GIS software.
To apply, please visit us at Careers at www.bv.com or send an e-mail to huberm@bv.com. Reference job
requisition number 042394. EOE M/F/D/V
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