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.
Resources

Alabama CRS Highlights
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) hosts the South Alabama Flood Engagement Team (SAFE-T) to collaborate with...
Florida CRS Highlights
The Florida Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection supports collaboration offers technical assistance and funding to coastal communities to...
Georgia CRS Highlights
The Georgia Coastal Management Program (GCMP) is partnering with the Georgia Sea Grant Program to produce a Community Resilience Planning Guide that...
Indiana CRS Highlights
Indiana's Lake Michigan Coastal Program (LMCP) supports coordination and partnerships among local, state, and federal agencies and NGO partners for...
Louisiana CRS Highlights
The Louisiana Office for Coastal Management (OCM) conducted a pilot program in partnership with NOAA to incorporate CRS criteria into its coastal...
Maine CRS Highlights
The Maine Coastal Program supports community CRS participation though technical assistance and informational resources such as the through the Maine...
Maryland CRS Highlights
The Chesapeake & Coastal Service (CCS) provides support for coastal communities participating in or exploring the CRS for flood mitigation...
Michigan CRS Highlights
The Michigan Coastal Management Program is pursuing a 2016-2020 Coastal Enhancement Strategy to help coastal communities become more hazard-ready to...
New Jersey CRS Highlights
Through its 2010-2015 Coastal Enhancement Strategy, the New Jersey Coastal Management Program (NJCMP) has developed the Coastal Vulnerability...
New York CRS Highlights
The New York State Coastal Management Program (CZMP) within the Department of State partners with the Department of Environmental Conservation,...
South Carolina CRS Highlights
Through the Local Comprehensive Beach Management Plan (LCBMP) process, the South Carolina Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM)...
Virginia CRS Highlights
The Virginia Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program has prioritized increasing coastal community participation in the CRS through its 2016-2020...
Washington CRS Highlights
The Washington Coastal Zone Management Program within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program provides long-term, tailored...