According to Sen. Cochran's office, FEMA briefed congressional offices on the parameters of its plan to create a Flood Map Scientific Resolution Panel system for communities to appeal disputed base flood elevations recommended by FEMA for proposed Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
Creation of the scientific resolution panels is based on an amendment sponsored by Cochran that would direct FEMA to apply to the flood map process an arbitration panel model inspired by one created by Congress following Hurricane Katrina to resolve disaster relief disputes with local communities.
"I appreciate this action by FEMA, but I also believe further steps can be taken to allow additional review of scientific material in order to settle flood map disputes. The legislative proposal offered by Senator Pryor and me would provide appellant communities and FEMA additional tools for completing new flood maps. I hope we can make progress on this front before the end of this session of Congress," Senator Cochran said in a statement.
Mississippi communities along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, in the Delta region and throughout the state have been participating in the FEMA's flood map modernization program, and many have raised concerns about the process, according to Sen. Cochran's office.
Under the plan outlined July 23, FEMA will establish a process for communities to appeal to an independent review panel when direct FEMA-to-community consultations falter. A five-member scientific resolution panel, three of whom would be selected by appellant communities, would be formed from a predetermined list of qualified and independent experts. The panel would have a set timeline to review scientific and technical information submitted by communities to challenge FEMA findings.
FEMA expects to implement the scientific resolution panel process on Nov. 1. In June, Cochran and Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) introduced a series of amendments to authorize the creation of arbitration panels to resolve disputes between the Federal government and local communities. In addition to establishing panels, the legislation also addressed reimbursements to communities for successful appeals.
According to Sen. Cochran's office flood insurance, administered by FEMA, can cost homeowners from $131 to $2,647 annually depending on coverage and location. It can cost businesses up to $5,000 annually and deter economic development in communities.
Some Members of Congress from Michigan and other areas complained that they should not have to subsidize flood-prone areas outside of their district. This is a short-sighted view, because flood-prone areas exist all over the country from California to the Delta and in many other areas. In America we are supposed to take the view that if some areas are afflicted by such disasters as Hurricane Katrina, we should all help. Katrina was a natural disaster, not a local one.
Please express your views to Congress and to FEMA on this vital issue.
Lee Powell, director, Delta Caucus (202) 360-6347
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