Development In Areas Prone To Flooding

Development in flood prone areas is regulated by a combination of federal, state and local regulations to reduce the possibility of loss of life and property, and to reduce the cost associated with development and rebuilding in these areas. The Federal Emergency Management Agency ("FEMA") publishes flood maps that identify the regulatory floodplain. Congress has enacted various changes to existing legislation to discourage development in special hazard areas and to facilitate the purchase of flood insurance in by property owners in flood prone areas. Under current laws, communities that want to make national flood insurance available to its residents must participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. This required communities to adopt certain minimum standards that regulate development in areas that are prone to flooding, including standards that prohibit new development in special hazard areas.