Setting the Stage for A Flood Risk and Resource Management Strategy

What Do We Want to Accomplish?The Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum

Managing Risks to Humans and Floodplain ResourcesMarch 9-10, 2010

Washington DCDoug Plasencia, P.E., CFM

ASFPM Foundation Events Committee ChairVice President Michael Baker Jr. Inc.

Question #1

Has a century of work in flood protection resulted in an outcome that we would wish to continue into the future in its current form?

Observation #1

As a nation, water resources development has been our defacto floodplain and coastal policy for nearly a century.

Will this policy approach be satisfactory for the future?

Question #2

Should we be concerned about the extent and condition of our floodplain and coastal resources?

Observation #2

The ability of floodplain resources to provide fisheries, clean water, habitat, and other functions for our future is in question.

What adjustments are necessary to ensure our resources are sufficient for the future?

The Need for a Resource Conservation Ethic in Flood Risk Management Plasencia & Monday 2009

Maintain sight of the dual policy role of FPM Recognize the importance of these resources

to our economy and our overall well-being Replicates our conservation oriented

advances in forestry and agronomy policy Define Flood Risk Management to include

“Flooding Risk” and “Floodplain Risk”

Question #3

How do we craft a flood risk and resource management policy and strategy that will make a difference in human behavior?

Observation #3

Individuals and policy makers simply do not understand or choose to ignore flood risk or threats to our resources.

Question #4

How do we adapt to a changing world (climate, population, economies…)?

Observation #4

We traditionally are much better at planning based on past histories vs. forecasting with many unknowns .

A Flood Risk Management and Resource Strategy has Broad Implications

Introduces “risk continuum” vs. “at risk or not at risk”

Should allow the ability to benchmark and monitor risk at various levels

Opens the door for considering and communicating a series of actions that increase or decrease risk

To be effective must be inclusive of a variety of uses and functions within floodplains and coastal areas.

Challenge #1

What is the “The overarching vision”? Flood risk is controlled Individuals and policy makers act in an

appropriate manner Floodplain resources are sufficient in areal

extent and quality

Challenge #2

How do we benchmark and monitor our progress towards achieving this overarching vision?

Challenge #3

How do we get the public to act in a more risk aware and resource sensitive manner?

Challenge #4

What do we need to adjust in policy and programs to meet the overarching vision and overcome other challenges?

Challenge #5

What are the knowledge gaps that we need to fill?

Why Now…Why Here?

Embarking on a new and exciting approach that could influence the next 50-years or more

Growing flood risk and declining resources is not sustainable for our future

Unique and exclusive gathering of experts to debate and shape these issues

DiscussionThe Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum

Managing Risks to Humans and Floodplain ResourcesMarch 9-10, 2010

Washington DCDoug Plasencia, P.E., CFM

ASFPM Foundation Events Committee ChairVice President Michael Baker Jr. Inc.