T h e  T o r r e n t
A newsletter of the Connecticut Department of  
Energy & Environmental Protection 
exploring floodplain management issues  
 
Volume 24, No. 1                                                                                                 Autumn 2017
NFIP Reauthorization Extended Until December 8, 2017Reauthorization
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was set to expire on September 30, 2017.  However, legislation signed by President Trump on September 8, 2017 has reauthorized the program until December 8, 2017.  The extension is part of a congressional continuing resolution, HR 601, that raises the debt limit and funds the U.S. government until December 8, 2017.  It also authorizes a total of $15.25 billion in emergency funding for disaster relief and rebuilding that includes $7.8 billion for Hurricane Harvey victims.  This extension will allow Congress more time to enact program reforms.  On November 17, 2017, the House passed HR 2874, the 21st Century Flood Reform Act, to revamp the NFIP and authorize the program for five more years.  The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) does not support HR 2874 as it is currently written.  The Senate will now have to pass its own NFIP reform legislation before the program is officially reauthorized.
Executive Order 13690 RepealedRepeal13690
On August 15, 2017, President Trump repealed Executive Order 13690, the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS).  This executive order was enacted by President Obama on January 30, 2015 to impose higher standards on federally funded construction projects located in the floodplain, including elevation to the 500 year base flood elevation and using climate data to determine elevation requirements.  The repeal is part of Trump's efforts to eliminate and streamline permitting regulations for infrastructure projects. 
Trump to End Flood Insurance for New ConstructionEndfloodinsurance
On October 4, 2017, President Trump proposed ending federal flood insurance for new homes and businesses built in the floodplain starting on January 1, 2021.  This was outlined in a letter from Mick Mulvaney, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, to Vice President Mike Pence in his capacity as President of the Senate.  The letter contained fifteen NFIP reforms proposed by the Trump Administration. 
October 2017 NFIP Changes VideosOct2017NFIPVideos
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) continues to undergo change.  Some of the change is aimed at providing a better customer experience for policyholders while other changes continue the implementation of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BW12) and the Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act (HFIAA).  This new series of short videos explains the key elements of changes to the NFIP effective on October 1, 2017.  These changes include:  revised HFIAA surcharge refund rules, reduced Federal Policy Fee for tenants contents-only policies, clarifications and updates to the NFIP Flood Insurance Manual, scheduled updates to the Community Rating System (CRS) list and increase in the coverage limit for Group Flood Insurance Policies (GFIP).
NPEIS Evaluating the NFIP posted to Federal RegisterNPEISNFIP
On November 3, 2017, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced in the  Federal Register the availability of a final Nationwide Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (NPEIS) evaluating the environmental impacts of proposed modifications to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, FEMA has considered comments received on the NFIP Draft NPEIS, which was issued in April 2017, and identifies FEMA's preferred alternatives in the NFIP Final NPEIS.  Electronic versions of the NFIP Final NPEIS are available at the Federal eRulemaking Portal, http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket ID FEMA-2012-0012. 
Connecticut Chosen for 2018 State Flood Risk Symposiumsymposia
Connecticut has been chosen by the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) Foundation to host its 2018 State Flood Risk Symposia.  There was a collaborative effort between the CTDEEP, Connecticut Association of Flood Managers (CAFM) and the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) to bring this event to the state. 

The goal of each forum is to facilitate discussions on reducing flood risk, managing floodplain resources, and establish future priorities.  In addition to productive discussions, there is a strong emphasis on proposed action items and how to measure progress in flood risk management at the community level.  

The symposia is an invitation only event that will be held in March 2018.  State symposia have been  held previously in Colorado, Indiana, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Arizona, New York, North Carolina and Oklahoma. 
FEMA Public Assistance Pitfalls ArticlePApitfalls
Following a disaster, navigating the FEMA Public Assistance (PA) process can be complicated and confusing for municipal officials.  This recently published article by the Associated Press entitled "River of Denials Can Flow from FEMA" highlights some of the pitfalls community officials need to be aware of during the post-disaster reconstruction process so they may receive the maximum amount of federal reimbursement.
Training OpportunitiesTrainings
WEBINARS

NFIP-related training webinars are available through STARR, a FEMA contractor.  Below is a list of upcoming webinars.  To register, go to the NFIP training website  and  click "Training Center" on the top bar, and then on the "Upcoming" tab.  When asked during registration what FEMA Region you are in, please reply "1".
  • November 30, 2017, 1:00pm - NFIP Basics
  • December 7, 2017, 1:00pm - How to Review a "No-Rise" Certificate
  • December 8, 2017, 1:00pm - Informing Recovery through Mitigation Planning
  • December 12, 2017, 1:00pm - Introduction to the CRS
  • December 13, 2017, 1:00pm - CRS and Coastal Hazards
  • December 14, 2017, 12:00pm - Floodplain Development Permit Review
  • December 14, 2017, 1:30pm - Inspecting Floodplain Development
  • January 17, 2018, 1:00pm - CRS:  Working with Repetitive Loss Properties
 

V IDEOS

H2O Partners offers short training videos on the following topics:
  • Demonstrating the Elevation Certificate
  • How the NFIP Works for the Floodplain Professional
  • Effects of Flood Map Changes
  • Role of the Elevation Certificate in Floodplain Management
 
   
FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT CLASS & CFM EXAM

VERMONT

January 8-11, 2018:  Managing Floodplain Development Through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  Essex Junction Regional Office, Fish & Wildlife Building, 111 West Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452.  Deadline to register is December 15, 2017.  Seating is limited to 35.  Preference will be given to Vermont local floodplain managers if the class is filled beyond capacity.  Course is free, but registration is required.  There is an optional charge for lunch ($6/day) and/or break refreshments ($5 for beverages only or $10 for beverages and snacks for all four days).  CFM exam is optional and requires an additional application and fee, see below for more information.  After registration closes, you will be sent either a confirmation email or notification that you have been placed on a waitlist.  Contact Rebecca Pfeiffer for any questions on the class, email:  [email protected].
   
January 12, 2018:  Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) Exam.  Exam time 9:00 am to noon at Vermont location listed above.  Please complete the CFM Exam Application and submit with fee payable to the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) by January 3, 2018 in order to sit for this exam date.  Please direct exam related questions to [email protected] or call (608) 828-3000.  ASFPM recommends exam takers review the materials on the CFM Exam Preparation page prior to sitting for the exam.

RHODE ISLAND
 
February 5-8, 2018:  Managing Floodplain Development Through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  University of Rhode Island Bay Campus, 218 South Ferry Road, Coastal Institute Building #26, Narragansett, RI, 02882.  Deadline to register is December 15, 2017.  Seating is limited to 35.  Rhode Island local, tribal and state government employees will get preference if there is more interest than seats available.  Course is free, but registration is required.  CFM exam is optional and requires an additional application and fee, see below for more information.  Contact Melinda Hopkins for any questions on the class, email:  [email protected].

February 9, 2018:  Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) Exam.  Exam time 9:00 am to noon at Rhode Island location listed above. Please complete the CFM Exam Application and submit with fee payable to the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) by January 31, 2018 in order to sit for this exam date.  Please direct exam related questions to [email protected] or call (608) 828-3000.  ASFPM recommends exam takers review the materials on the CFM Exam Preparation page prior to sitting for the exam.


CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS
 
December 15, 2017:  Legal Issues in the Age of Climate Adaptation II, UCONN CLEAR Climate Adaptation Academy, Mercy by the Sea Retreat and Conference Center, 167 Great Neck Road, Madison.  Registration fee $20,  learn more and register.

June 17-22, 2018:  Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ, www.floods.org.
 
 
FEMA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) is located at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg, Maryland.  EMI serves as the national center for emergency management training of federal, state and local government officials.  Tuition, housing, and all books and materials are provided at no cost.  Participants are responsible for the cost of a meal pass (approximately $100/week).  Below is a select list of floodplain management classes offered into September 2018.  The classes in 2018 are shown in parentheses and italics. A full list of training classes can be found at the EMI website.    

E170  HAZUS-MH for Hurricane - May 7-10, 2018
E172  HAZUS-MH for Flood - April 23-26, 2018
 E174  HAZUS-MS for Earthquake - April 9-12, 2018
E176  HAZUS-MH for Floodplain Managers - March 26-29, 2018
E179  Application of HAZUS-MH for Disaster Operations - September 17-20, 2018
E190  ArcGIS for Emergency Managers - December 18-21, 2017, April 2-5, 2018
E194  Advanced Floodplain Management Concepts - July 9-12, 2018
E210  Recovery from Disaster: The Local Government Role -  April 23-26, August 27-30, 2018
E212  Unified Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program: Developing Quality Application Elements - April 30-May 3, 2018
E213  Unified Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program:  Application Review and Evaluation -
June 25-26, 2018
E214  Unified Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program:  Project Implementation and Programmatic Closeout - June 27-28, 2018
E273  Managing Floodplain Development through the NFIP - Dec. 4-7, 2017, January 22-25, May 7-10, August 27-30, 2018
E276  Benefit-Cost Analysis:  Entry Level  - January 17-18, September 12-13, 2018
E278  Community Rating System (CRS) - March 26-29, June 25-28, 2018
E279  Retrofitting Floodprone Residential Buildings - May 14-17, 2018
E282  Advanced Floodplain Management Concepts II - July 30 -August 2, 2018
E284  Advanced Floodplain Management Concepts III - February 5-8, July 23-26, 2018
E296  Application of HAZUS-MH for Risk Assessment - June 18-21, 2018
E312  Fundamentals of Building Science -    September 24-27, 2018
E313  Basic HAZUS-MH - March 5-8, July 16-19, 2018 
E317  Comprehensive Data Management for HAZUS-MH - Dec. 11-14, 2017, Aug. 13-16, 2018
E386  Residential Coastal Construction -  August 13-16, 2018
E582  Mitigation for Tribal Governments - July 16-19, September 17-20, 2018
 

EMI also offers free Independent Study courses on various aspects of the NFIP aimed at  community officials, surveyors, insurance agents, and claims adjusters.  These web-based courses are free and can be taken at your own pace. Below is a sample of courses available.  Independent study courses are also available for other topics in emergency management, hazard mitigation planning, disaster response and dam safety.    

IS-10.a     Animals in Disasters:  Awareness & Preparedness
IS-11.a     Animals in Disasters:  Community Planning
IS-30a      Mitigation eGrants for the Subgrant Applicant
IS-42       Social Media in Emergency Management
IS-111.a   Livestock in Disasters
IS-212.b   Introduction to Unified Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA)
IS-276      Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) Fundamentals
IS-277      Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA):  Entry Level
IS-279.a   Introduction to Retrofitting Flood-prone Residential Structures
IS-284      Using the Substantial Damage Estimator 2.0 Tool
IS-366.a   Planning for the Needs of Children in Disasters
IS-386      Introduction to Residential Coastal Construction
IS-393.a   Introduction to Hazard Mitigation
IS-394.a   Protecting Your Home or Small Business From Disaster
IS-552      The Public Works Role in Emergency Management 
IS-554      Emergency Planning for Public Works
IS-556      Damage Assessment for Public Works
IS-558      Public Works and Disaster Recovery
IS-559      Local Damage Assessment
IS-634      Introduction to FEMA's Public Assistance Program
IS-1100.a  Increased Cost of Compliance
IS-1101     Basic Agent Tutorial
IS-1102     Theory of Elevation Rating
IS-1103     Elevation Certificate for Surveyors
IS-1104     NFIP Claims Review for Adjusters
IS-1105     EC Made Easy:  Elevation Certificate Overview
IS-1106     FEMA Mapping Changes
IS-1107     Adjuster Customer Service
IS-1108     Insuring Condominiums
IS-1109     Understanding Basement Coverage
IS-1110.a  Writing Commercial Exposures
IS-1111     Introduction to Commercial Claims
IS-1112     Introduction to Flood Claims
IS-1113     Coastal Barrier Resources Act
IS-2001     Threat and Hazard Identification Risk Assessment (THIRA)
Visit the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep.  Published by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse, Land and Water Resources Division.  Editor:  Diane Ifkovic, State National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Coordinator, email:  [email protected].
CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Please contact us at (860) 418-5910 or [email protected] if you; have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint.