WASHINGTON (July 17, 2017)—Six organizations, including the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), sent a letter today to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ranking Member Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), along with other Senate leaders, urging them to strengthen the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which must be reauthorized by September 30. In addition to UCS, the organizations that signed the letter were the Association of State Floodplain Managers, Association of State Wetland Managers, Consumer Mortgage Coalition, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., and the Southern Environmental Law Center.
“Doing far more than simply providing insurance, the NFIP serves as a key foundation of the nation’s major flood risk management strategy,” the letter pointed out. “Reforms to NFIP flood mapping, mitigation, floodplain management and insurance must be made based on lessons learned from the many catastrophic flooding events of the past several years and the latest science, so that the benefits of each of these critical program elements are strengthened, and not undercut.” The organizations “urge Congress to move forward on much-needed reforms to strengthen this vital program and include robust affordability provisions, ensuring it continues to aid and protect people and property for years to come.”
The letter speaks to the need for long-lasting reforms to NFIP that are in the best interest of the impacted communities, including low- and fixed-income households and historically disadvantaged communities, which often have fewer options and resources to cope after flood events, as well as the American taxpayer. The letter also includes priorities of a broad alliance of ten organizations, representing flood risk management, environmental, scientific, public safety, housing and consumer interests. To view the letter in its entirety, click here.