Flood-Prone Communities Act (S. 4248)

Summary

Makes the Army Corps of Engineers prioritize and use methods other than building walls, like raising houses, to protect communities from floods.

What problem does this solve?

The Army Corps of Engineers often favors building large structures like levees and has paused or avoided smaller, non-structural projects, leaving communities at risk. This bill forces the Corps to use these alternative methods and makes them cheaper and easier for towns and homeowners to implement.

Who does this affect?

Flood-prone communities
Homeowners in floodplains
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

What does this bill do?

Mandates non-structural solutions

Requires the Army Corps of Engineers to give equal consideration to non-structural flood management solutions, like elevating homes, alongside structural ones, like levees.

Increases federal cost sharing

Raises the federal government's share of costs for non-structural projects to 90% for low-income communities and properties with repeat flood loss, and 100% for properties with severe repeat loss.

Restarts paused projects

Forces the Secretary of the Army to resume any paused or stopped non-structural flood projects within 45 days of the bill becoming law.

Establishes expert groups

Creates a National Nonstructural Committee and a working group with federal, state, and local experts to improve non-structural flood management.

Covers relocation and housing costs

Allows project funds to be used for relocation advice, temporary housing, and moving expenses for residents whose homes are part of a project.

Allows payments above a home's value

Authorizes extra payments above a home's appraised value for low-income homeowners to help them buy a comparable home in a safer area.

Defines eligible elevation costs

Specifies that costs for elevating a home include bringing it up to code for other hazards like wind, utility repairs, and temporary housing for the owner.

Allows local project management

Lets non-federal partners, like cities or towns, manage structure elevation projects themselves, with federal funds provided in advance.

Requires regular reporting to local partners

Mandates that the Army Corps provide written updates every 45 days to non-federal interests, such as cities or states, on the status and schedule of their flood projects.

What is the real world impact?

•

Promotes cost-effective and natural flood solutions

Encourages using non-structural methods like elevating homes and preserving floodplains, which are often cheaper and better for the environment than building levees or floodwalls.

•

Forces the Army Corps of Engineers to act

Finds that the Corps has been pausing non-structural projects against Congress's wishes. Requires the Corps to restart these projects and report on their progress, ensuring they follow through on congressional direction.

When does this start?

The bill sets several deadlines for action that begin as soon as it becomes law.

Resumption of paused projects

The Secretary of the Army must restart any paused non-structural flood projects within 45 days of the bill becoming law.

Notification to local partners

The Army Corps must notify local partners about the status of their projects within 45 days, and provide updates every 45 days after that.

Creation of expert groups

A non-structural working group and a mandatory center of expertise must be established within 90 days of the bill becoming law.

First annual report to Congress

The Secretary must submit the first annual report on non-structural flood management activities within one year of the bill becoming law.