Special Projects

COMMUNITY RESILIENCE AND THE COMMUNITY RATINGS SYSTEM

PROJECT OVERVIEW
Objectives:

*Increase participation in the CRS program
*Increase scores for those that are participating through undertaking actions to benefit natural floodplain ecosystems
*Increase resilience of those communities

Focus:

Specific categories of CRS activities as they relate to:
*coastal floodplain ecosystems and/or
*future conditions impacts/climate change

Approach:
*Create a road map to undertake activities that strengthen natural ecosystems and reduce growing vulnerability to floods – which increases community resilience

PROJECT DETAILS

*The Coastal States Organization (CSO) and the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) are undertaking a project focused on enhancing coastal communities’ resilience through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Community Rating System (CRS) program.

*The project will develop a “CRS Green Guide” that will serve to assist existing and prospective CRS communities in implementing elements that have the co-benefits of maximizing points earned and improving the natural and beneficial functions of the floodplain ecosystem.

*The “CRS Green Guide” will contain methods, techniques, best practices, and case studies related to specific activities and elements to maximize a community’s CRS points as it relates to strengthening natural and beneficial features, ecosystems, and community resiliency.

*The project team will work with a diverse advisory committee to craft workshops in two focus states – Ohio and Rhode Island – to disseminate and explain the product. The team will also craft a webinar to achieve the same goals for all coastal states and communities.