Pew Comments on FEMA’s Proposed Federal Flood Risk Management Standard

Pew submitted comments Oct. 21 supporting a proposed rule by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to implement Executive Order 13690, which established the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard. This would require federal agencies to consider current and future flood risk when taxpayer dollars are used to build or rebuild in flood plains. Pew supports FEMA’s proposal to craft a common-sense, flexible approach to implement these standards. Key components of the proposed rule could also be strengthened, such as taking steps to include data on sea level rise when assessing flood risk in coastal areas. Here is Pew’s written testimony: