A Community Voice Issues Public Comment on FEMA Notice

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 -- Debra Campbell, chairperson of A Community Voice, New Orleans, Louisiana, has issued a public comment on the Federal Emergency Management Agency notice entitled "Request for Information on the National Flood Insurance Program's Floodplain Management Standards for Land Management and Use, and an Assessment of the Program's Impact on Threatened and Endangered Species and Their Habitats". The comment was written on Nov. 7, 2021, and posted on Nov. 9, 2021:

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New Orleans and southern Louisiana are among the most vulnerable areas to flood in the country. The city is poised to flood from most conditions: sinking, sea level rise, hurricanes, decrepit infrastructure, hard rains, other less well protected areas that can allow water to come from their flooding, and manmade projects.

Although the imagery of flooding post Hurricane Katrina of a city that resembled a bowl of floating roof tops is consistent with possibilities, the nightmare of heavy rains continues to flood communities that never flooded in that way before. Our members are calling for new programs to teach children how to swim because the flooding is such a strong consideration.

In response to questions posed in the FEMA RFI, we ask that you:

1. Consider a new plan for New Orleans residents that would include: Managed buy-outs of low to moderate income homeowners

Relocation of low to moderate income homeowners and tenants

Mitigation/elevation/storm-proofing of low to moderate income homeowners and rental housing for low to moderate income homeowners.

Increase NFIP funds to $100,000 for mitigation measures through the Increased Cost of Compliance.

Make buyouts attractive to homeowners by recognizing the cost of moving to desirable areas, far from flooding, pollution, or other hazards. Remove the cost-share requirement for low-income communities.

On behalf of low to moderate income people,

Debra Campbell

Chairperson

A Community Voice

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The notice can be viewed at https://www.regulations.gov/document/FEMA-2021-0024-0001

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