Association of State Floodplain Managers

Association of State Floodplain Managers
Name	Association of State Floodplain Managers
Abbreviation	ASFPM
Formation	1970s
Type	Nonprofit
Headquarters	Madison, Wisconsin
Region served	United States
Leader title	Executive Director

Association of State Floodplain Managers is an American nonprofit organization focused on flood risk reduction, floodplain management, and related policy. The organization engages with federal agencies, state agencies, and local entities to influence flood insurance, hazard mitigation, and water resources policy. It provides technical guidance, professional training, and advocacy to support resilient communities in the face of riverine, coastal, and urban flooding.

History

The organization traces roots to state-level floodplain programs and congressional responses to catastrophic floods such as the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, the Hurricane Betsy (1965), and the Johnstown Flood era reforms, leading to coordinated efforts during the late 20th century. Early interactions involved agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, while state counterparts such as the California Department of Water Resources, the Texas Water Development Board, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection contributed to foundational policy dialogues. Legislative landmarks including the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, and the Biggert–Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 shaped priorities and programs. Partnerships developed with organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the American Planning Association to integrate floodplain management into broader land-use and infrastructure planning.

Mission and Objectives

The stated mission emphasizes reducing flood losses, preserving floodplain functions, and improving preparedness through technical assistance, policy development, and education in coordination with entities such as the United States Geological Survey, the National Weather Service, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Core objectives align with enhancing National Flood Insurance Program implementation, promoting hazard mitigation compatible with the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, and supporting science-based mapping initiatives like those led by the FEMA Flood Map Modernization Program and the Coastal Zone Management Program. The organization collaborates with professional societies such as the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Society of American Foresters to advance standards and codes.

Membership and Governance

Membership includes state floodplain managers from entities like the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the Washington State Department of Ecology, as well as local government officials from cities such as New Orleans, Miami, and Minneapolis. Institutional members include academic centers like the University of Georgia River Basin Center and private sector firms involved in hydraulic modeling, surveying, and insurance such as those associated with the American Institute of Architects and the National Association of Home Builders. Governance is overseen by a board of directors and committees drawing expertise from agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and professional organizations like the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research. Leadership interacts with congressional committees including the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the United States House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Programs and Activities

Programs address floodplain mapping, mitigation grants, buyouts, and community rating systems, partnering with initiatives like the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program. Technical activities include floodplain mapping using models supported by the Hydrologic Engineering Center and collaboration on restoration projects with groups such as The Nature Conservancy and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The organization convenes multi-stakeholder working groups with representatives from the Red Cross, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and state emergency management agencies to align preparedness, response, and recovery practices. Activities extend to coastal resiliency projects influenced by research from institutions such as Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Publications and Resources

The organization publishes guidance, policy briefs, and technical manuals citing data sources like the National Flood Insurance Program claims database and hydrologic records from the United States Geological Survey. Resources include model ordinances, white papers on climate impacts referencing work from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the National Climate Assessment, and case studies featuring mitigation projects in jurisdictions like Iowa and Louisiana. It produces the peer-reviewed journal content, training curricula, and practitioner-oriented documents similar in purpose to reports by the Congressional Research Service and analyses by the Government Accountability Office.

Conferences and Training

Annual conferences bring together practitioners, academics, and policymakers from organizations such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the American Planning Association, with sessions on mapping, mitigation, and policy. Training programs offer certification and continuing education in coordination with university programs at institutions like University of Colorado Boulder and Rutgers University, and professional development aligned with standards from the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Emergency Management Association. Regional workshops engage state agencies including the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

Impact and Advocacy

Advocacy efforts influence legislation and programs such as reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program and funding for flood mapping and mitigation tied to appropriations from the United States Congress. The organization’s technical input has informed federal rulemaking at FEMA and policy debates involving the Department of Homeland Security, while state-level outcomes include enhanced floodplain ordinances in places like Mississippi and North Carolina. Collaborations with conservation groups like the Sierra Club and research institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology have advanced nature-based solutions, managed retreat discussions, and equity-focused approaches to flood risk reduction.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in the United States Category:Flood control in the United States