Coastal Programs and the CRS

What is the CRS?

The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary program under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Floodplain Program (NFIP). The goal of the CRS is to reduce flood damages to insurable property, encourage both local hazard mitigation activities and increase NFIP participation. The CRS rewards communities that undertake planning, infrastructure improvement, and outreach activities to manage development, mitigate risk, an preserve and enhance the natural functions of floodplains beyond the minimum standards for participation in the NFIP by discounting property-owners’ flood insurance premiums.

Coastal Programs and the CRS

Coastal Programs are well positioned to bridge the capacity gap in coastal communities by providing technical assistance and national resources to assist communities in joining and advancing in the CRS. Nationwide, many Coastal Programs have prioritized CRS as a platform for supporting communities to achieve coastal resilience – click the links below to learn more.

Coastal States Organization and the CRS

CSO and the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) have partnered to enhance coastal communities’ resilience through the CRS program. In 2017, with a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, CSO and ASFPM released the “CRS Green Guide” to assist existing and prospective CRS communities with techniques, best practices, and case studies for activities that maximize a community’s CRS score and resilience by strengthening natural and beneficial features.

The Guide breaks down twenty-five CRS elements with information about the degree of difficulty associated with documentation and implementation, co-benefits associated with the element, and practical “tips for success.” The Guide also connects elements to Success Stories of communities across the nation which have achieved high CRS ratings, sharing practical experience in choosing and implementing the appropriate strategies for each community’s unique needs. The Green Guide has been used as the foundation for four successful resilience workshops in Rhode Island and Ohio communities and a 4-part webinar series.