Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act
Floor Speech
FLOOD INSURANCE REFORM AND MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - September 27, 2007)
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Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Mr. Chairman, first, I want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr. FRANK and the gentlewoman from California, Ms. WATERS, for their hard work in preparing H.R. 3121, the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007. I have received positive feedback from the Regional Planning Commissioners and emergency managers in support of this bill. The Planning Commissioners and emergency managers serve on the front-line of declared disasters and work with both towns and FEMA. In fact, Vermont has recently dealt with several significant flooding events and this legislation will go a long I way to improving our response in the aftermath. This bill also provides much needed reform of the National Flood Insurance Program, NFIP.
I also want to thank the gentleman from Oregon, Mr. BLUMENAUER, for his thoughtful amendment and working with me and Representative GILCHREST as co-sponsors. This bi-partisan amendment requires FEMA to consider modern climate science when mapping floodplains. Current flood maps do not take into account critical information beyond past flooding history. Accurate floodplain maps incorporating scientific global warming impact predictions will ensure that citizens are aware of the future flood risks in their communities and help prevent the loss of human life, property, and important wildlife habitat. Communities will be able to use these maps in considering their own land use planning and development projects.
I believe that the focus on global warming adaptation planning is critical while Congress also moves forward to aggressively address climate change through legislation. Adaptation includes addressing the occurrence and likelihood of more frequent, intense, and severe storms bringing our rivers and streams beyond flood stage; sea-level rise flooding coastal and tidal communities that may even be hundreds of miles inland; reduced snow-pack that is changing annual runoff and water collection; and of course the impact of hurricanes; all of which are resulting in significantly greater flooding across the nation.
Vermont communities like Barre or, our capitol of Montpelier are finding that surrounding rivers and streams are more unpredictable--large rain events have resulted in dramatic river and stream bank erosion that promotes flooding in nearby towns. Rivers and streams are overflowing in areas that were not typically flooded. We are finding flooding events both in and out of current flood plains where people have lost property due to sudden and unexpected river and stream rise. Many of these families are low-income and their homeowners insurance, if they have it, does not cover their claims. And of course, they don't qualify for SBA disaster assistance loans.
We believe that changing weather patterns require the tools for smart land use and development decision-making. Updated climate science flood mapping will help all citizens make informed decisions on flood risks and the need to purchase flood insurance. Updated flood maps will also aid communities in smart growth planning to minimize the risk of flooding to their cities and towns.
This amendment has received strong support by the National Wildlife Federation, U.S. Public Interest Group, Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters, Natural Resource Defense Council, Friends of the Earth, Audubon, Earthjustice, American Rivers, Republicans for Environmental Protection, and the Union of Concerned Scientists.
I strongly urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
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