Here are the latest news stories in local and national water policy for December. Don’t forget about our new sections, including WATER FUNDING + FINANCE NEWS and Q&A. Scroll to the end to see these sections.
In The News
Louisiana’s 2016 flood offered as evidence of climate change in new White House environmental report
The Advocate
The release of the Fourth National Climate Assessment, which examines climate change science and impacts across the US, focused on the August 2016 flooding in the Baton Rouge area as evidence of climate change impacts. The damage estimates from that storm came to $10.1 billion, and according to the report, “Events of such magnitudes are projected to become more likely in the future due to a changing climate, putting more people in peril from future floods.”
The Assessment points out that the South is especially susceptible to climate change impacts, including sea level rise and flooding. Furthermore, allowing rebuilding in dangerous areas without appropriate mitigation measures, partially due to outdated flood insurance rate maps and development codes, will only exacerbate future risk. According to the report: “Existing flood map boundaries do not account for future flood risk due to the increasing frequency of more intense precipitation events, as well as new development that would reduce the floodplain’s ability to manage storm water… As building and rebuilding in flood-prone areas continue, the risks of the kinds of major losses seen in these events will continue to grow.”
For more information on the Fourth National Climate Assessment, see here.
Updates on the Sewerage and Water Board
The Advocate, Times-Picayune
We have been keeping up with news and changes to the Sewerage and Water Board (SWBNO) this past month. On Saturday, December 8, voters in New Orleans approved a ballot initiative to add a City Council representative back to the Sewerage and Water Board, aiming to add additional public oversight following the 2017 floods. The Bureau of Governmental Research had recommended against the change, citing concerns about political influence in Board operations and potential conflicts of interest. However, voters approved the measure 65 to 35 percent, which speaks to ongoing public concerns as the SWBNO works to address millions in budget shortfalls, billing problems, boil water advisories, and staffing concerns.
National Flood Insurance Program Receives Yet Another Short-Term Extension
The Advocate, Times-Picayune
The beleaguered National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) received yet another short-term extension, while lawmakers attempt to find longer term solutions. The current legislation extends the NFIP until December 21, 2018. For more information on these extensions, visit FEMA’s reauthorization page here.
2018 National Preparedness Report
FEMA
FEMA released the 2018 National Preparedness Report, which summarizes the nation’s progress toward becoming more secure and highlights lessons learned from previous responses, along with findings from preparedness activities. The 2018 Report considers select 2017 real-world incidents that tested the nation’s capabilities, preparedness trends from state, tribal and territory perspectives, and an overview of activities and investments to build and sustain capabilities. The report provides in-depth evaluation of five core capabilities which face persistent preparedness challenges: Infrastructure Systems, Housing, Economic Recovery, Cybersecurity, and Operational Coordination.
Trump Administration proposing major rollback of water protection rules
Associated Press
The Trump administration is proposing to rescind the legal framework known as Waters of the US (WOTUS), put in place during the Obama administration. This rollback of the Clean Water Act would remove legal protections from thousands of intermittent, ephemeral, and headwater streams, as well as the wetlands associated with these areas. The proposed regulation will now be subject to a 60 day public comment period.
More Water Headlines
- Restore Louisiana offering buyouts to people living in floodways who were affected by 2016 storms
- Sewerage & Water Board possibly violated state law, new report says
- La. must act fast to restore shrinking land, coastal experts warn
- Sewerage & Water Board privatization? Task force leaning against it
- Baltimore votes to become first large U.S. city to ban water privatization
- Dutch researchers dig into New Orleans to study subsidence
- New Orleans S&WB drainage system out of cash, will have to rely on water and sewer funds
- Backfilling oil and gas canals to restore wetlands
- Queen Bess Island, important pelican habitat, to be restored
Water Funding & Finance
- Funders Network for Smart and Livable Communities’ Partners for Places Grant. Due January 31, 2019. More information.
- EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants. Due February 15, 2019. More information.
- Finance News: The president signed the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018(DRRA) into law in October, which includes important reforms to federal disaster programs. The law contains more than 50 provisions that require FEMA policy or regulation changes for full implementation, as they amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. To begin implementation of these reforms, both the FEMA Public Assistance Management Costs (Interim) Policy and the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Management Costs (Interim) Policy are now available.
Water Events
- River Network’s first Emerging Leader Award. Applications in January 2019. More information here.
- Webinar: Values, Democracy and Solutions for a Changing Planet: A conversation with the Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s Mark Reynolds. January 15, 2019. Register here.
- Gulf Research Program’s Early-Career Research Fellowship. Two years of unrestricted funding to pursue the innovative research and unique collaborations that move coastal science forward. Applications due February 20, 2019. More information here.
- Gulf Research Program’s Science Policy Fellowship. First-hand professional experience working alongside decision-makers at agencies across Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Florida. Applications due March 6, 2019. More information here.
Q&A
“What is going on with the Sewerage and Water Board?”
Great question! As mentioned above, there have been numerous challenges facing the SWBNO, including budget shortfalls, billing problems, boil water advisories, and staffing concerns. The Board has been contending with deferred maintenance of its system, subsidence, administrative hurdles, and political divisions of responsibility between its system and the City’s drainage system. There is also the looming question of how we as a city will pay for necessary system upgrades, so that we avoid more boil advisories and keep pace with our changing environmental conditions.
To help address these challenges, the Sewerage and Water Board Task Force was convened as a result of 2018 Louisiana House Resolution 193. They have been tasked with developing findings and recommendations for the management of the sewerage, water, and drainage facilities and services in the City of New Orleans, and must report back to the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, the New Orleans City Council, and the members of the Orleans Parish legislative delegation no later than January 31, 2019. For updates and information on the Sewerage and Water Board Task Force, visit https://roadwork.nola.gov/swb-task-force/.
“When is the next Cook-off for the Coast?”
The second annual Cook-off for the Coast will take place on February 9, 2019 at Docville Farm in St. Bernard! This year’s wild game cook-off includes anything that flies, crawls, or swims in south Louisiana (cook teams will just need to have 100+ samples). Check out Cook-off for the Coast on Facebook for more information!
Do you have water management policy and program questions for Propeller or Water Works? Let us know, and we’ll run them in upcoming newsletters. Email Allison or Miriam.
WaterMark is a monthly briefing on water programs and policies in Louisiana, brought to you by Propeller and Water Works.
