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Résumé :
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The Interagency floodplain management review committee proposes a better way to manage the floodplains. It begins by establishing that all levels of government, all businesses and all citizens have a stake in properly managing the floodplain. All of those who support risky behavior, either directly or indirectly, must share in floodplain management and in the costs of reducing that risk. The federal government can lead by example ; but state and local governments must manage their own floodplains. Individual citizens must adjust their actions to the risk they face and bear a greater share of the economic costs. This review, sequentially, avoiding inappropriate use of the floodplain, minimizing vulnerability to damage through both structural and nonstructural means, and mitigating flood damages when they do occur. By controling runoff, managing ecosystems for all their benefits, planning the use of the land and identifying those areas at risk, many hazards can be avoided. Where the risk cannot be avoided, damage minimization approaches, such an elevation and relocation of buildings or construction of reservoirs or flood protection structures, are used only when they can be integrated into a systems approach to flood damage reduction in the basin. When floods occur, impacts on individuals and communities can be mitigated with a flood insurance program that is funded by those who are protected. Full disaster support for those in the floodplain is contingent on their participation in these self-help mitigation programs. Measures that iinternalize risks reduce the moral hazard associated with full government support. The nation knows where to go with floodplain management and how to get there. This report provides a map showing the shortest route to success. The nation now must take the actions required to do so.
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