Here are the latest news stories in local and national water policy for August. Scroll to the end for a list of water events and opportunities to keep on your radar.
Given that we’re in the midst of hurricane season, it’s a good time to focus on understanding your flood risk and taking steps to protect your home and business. NOLA READY has a number of resources to help, and residents along the Gulf Coast can do things to reduce their risk, including purchasing flood insurance, installing green infrastructure, elevating utilities, adopting catch basins, and signing up for emergency alerts. Additionally, Gentilly residents may qualify for assistance in implementing measures through NORA’s Community Adaptation Program as part of the City’s first Resilience District.
In The News
National Flood Insurance Program Extended Again
Times-Picayune, Scientific American, The Advocate
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which was set to expire on July 31, received yet another temporary extension by Congress. This four month extension comes while Congress is considering reforms to the insolvent program — “fiscal hawks want to move it toward self-sufficiency, likely through higher premiums, while members from flood-prone areas such as south Louisiana try to ensure affordable protection for their constituents.” The threat of the NFIP lapsing during hurricane season, which would put millions of Gulf Coast properties at risk and would prevent new flood insurance policies from being purchased, could seriously impact the real estate market; homes with federally-backed mortgages in Special Flood Hazard Areas are required to carry flood insurance. Louisiana has nearly half a million NFIP policies, ranking third in the nation for coverage, after Texas and Florida.
While the extension quells fears of the how a lapse would impact the Gulf Coast during hurricane season, many questions remain on how the NFIP will be reformed in the long term. Resolving the program’s debt and ability to pay future claims, while considering how rate increases impact low-income residents, will require bipartisan action in Congress.
Munich Re Announces Inland Flood Insurance Coverage for Small Businesses
Business Wire
Munich Re announced that it will provide commercial flood insurance to small businesses and residential properties located in low-to-moderate flood zones. The coverage would include building, contents, business interruption/extra expense, the costs associated with moving property to safety and debris removal. This product, aimed at small businesses, follows a survey done by Munich Re of 157 insurance agents that found nearly 100% of commercial policyholders with business income of less than $250,000 had no flood coverage. According to FEMA, nearly 40% of small businesses are not able to reopen following a disaster. There is a clear need for flood insurance for small businesses and this signals an increasing shift of private insurance providers reentering the flood insurance market, as questions loom regarding the future of the NFIP. However, given that this private insurance is currently only available to businesses outside the Special Flood Hazard Area (100 year or 1% annual chance flood zones), questions remain on what affordable options will exist for small businesses in coastal and higher flood risk areas.
FEMA Announces Annual Grant Funding Cycle
FEMA
FEMA has announced the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) funding for its annual grant programs, including Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM). FMA grants are available for measures that reduce or eliminate risk of severe repetitive and repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), flood hazard mitigation planning, and technical assistance. In FY18, $160 million is available for FMA grants, with a set-aside of $70 million for community advance assistance and flood mitigation projects. The PDM grant program has $235.2 million available to reduce overall risk to population and structures, while at the same time reducing reliance on federal funding from Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) disaster declarations. FEMA will select eligible planning and project sub-applications, prioritizing funding in areas without post-disaster funding available through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
The FY18 application period opens on October 1, 2018. Local governments and state agencies may apply for these annual grants through the State of Louisiana, while federally recognized Tribal authorities may apply independently. Individual grants are awarded through local parish governments.
More Water Headlines
- Of course Katrina floodwaters eroded New Orleans’ streets
- Study to understand what’s going on beneath New Orleans vital to city, state
- Sewerage & Water Board clarifies water shut-off plans for unpaid bills
- Louisiana tribes say federal recognition will help to face threat of climate change
- New Orleans area hurricane and river levees still categorized high risk
- The city’s $2 billion program to repair streets and infrastructure doesn’t include innovative water management
- How being able to adapt will help us restore Louisiana’s coast
- $1.4 billion approved for West Shore Lake Pontchartrain hurricane levee, Comite diversion
- Milwaukee public works chief named Sewerage & Water Board executive director
- New Orleans: Ready Or Not? Taking Matters Into Our Own Hands
- How prepared is New Orleans for stronger storms and extreme temperatures?
- In about 20 years, half the population will live in eight states
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
- New Orleans 300: In Katrina’s Wake – The New Orleans Public Library is hosting a discussion with journalist Katy Reckdahl about the legacy of Hurricane Katrina as part of the New Orleans 300 programming. The event is taking place Sunday, August 19 at 2pm at the East New Orleans Regional Library. Event info here.
- National Environmental Education Foundation Mini Grants – The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is offering $100,000 in mini-grants to support restoration and/or resilience-focused volunteer events on public lands. Nonprofits can apply for up to $8,000 and applications are due by September 28, 2018. Apply here.
- Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street: Water/Ways Exhibit in Louisiana – The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities partnered with the Smithsonian Institution through its Museum on Main Street program on Water/Ways, a traveling exhibit exploring our relationship with water. In June 2018, Water/Ways arrived in Louisiana for a yearlong tour that stops in six sites, ending in April 2019. It will be at the Old City Hall Museum in Denham Springs from August 11, 2018 – September 22, 2018. Attend here.
- Gulf Research Program Seeks Executive Director – The National Academies of Science is hiring an Executive Director to guide the Gulf Research Program. The Gulf Research Program was established in response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, which resulted in the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history. With responsibility for managing a $500 million fund that will be used over the next quarter century to fulfill this mission through studies, grants, fellowships, and other activities, the Executive Director for the Gulf Research Program will have the unique opportunity to shape a scientifically transformative program that can have a lasting impact on the Gulf of Mexico region. Apply here.
- Urban Water Management Workshop – All You Need is hosting a workshop on September 15 from 10:30 – 12:00 on DIY solutions to prevent flooding on residential properties, including French drains, rain gardens, and barrels. The workshop will include will discussion of the benefits of rain water and how it can be integrated into garden irrigation. $20 Registration. Attend here.
- NOLA Ready has partnered with ISeeChange to distribute rain gauges to community leaders. Track rain data in your area, submit photos of flooding, and talk to your neighbors about rain and flood risk. Sign up here.
WaterMark is a monthly briefing on water programs and policies in Louisiana, brought to you by Propeller and Water Works.
