Journal and Topics - Taking On Flooding

News Article

By Tom Robb

State and federal legislators are working to secure more funding and protections for flood and disaster relief that could include home buyouts and reduced flood insurance costs.

State Rep. Elaine Nekritz's (D-57th) bill in Springfield, HR 3912, adds the words "and local" to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation Dist. (MWRD) of Greater Chicago's regional mandate for flood projects.

Nekritz said the small change would open the agency to fund smaller and more localized flood control projects rather than just "projects of regional significance."

HR 3912 passed a final vote in the Illinois House Friday of 108 to 0. Nekritz said State Sen. Daniel Biss (D-9th) is expected to introduce the bill in State Senate soon.

MWRD officials set aside $30 million in their 2014 calendar year budget in anticipation of state legislation that could, among other things, fund buyouts for homes in flood prone areas.

In anticipation of this legislation, MWRD spokeswoman Allison Fore said $30 million was added to MWRD's community flood control infiltration and reduction program in the agency's 2014 calendar year budget, some of which could be used for home buyouts.

Nekritz said there were also federal matching funds available for buyouts.

"We're doing everything possible to combat flooding and the effects of flooding," State Rep. Marty Moylan (D-55th) who co-sponsored HR 3912 said.

At the federal level, local representatives in Congress are U.S. Representatives Tammy Duckworth (D-8th), Jan Schakowsky (D-9th), Brad Schneider (D-10th), Bill Foster (D-11th) and John Conyers (D-13th) are working on legislation to increase FEMA resources more directly to local communities.

Additionally, House Resolution 3370, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, would protect homeowners from increasing flood insurance rates by grandfathering some rates and calling for refunds for individuals that have paid "excessive premium charges," and lowering FEMA's annual increase authority on insurance rates from 20% to 15%, a spokesman for Duckworth said.

Other protections are in legislation for small businesses, non-profit organizations and houses of worship.

"My district has been hit by a series of so-called "100-year floods', which have damaged the homes of many residents," Schakowsky said in a written statement. "This bipartisan bill, which I cosponsored, is a clear example of how Congress can work together to address major issues facing our constituents. The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act will truly help homeowners to maintain economic security, even in extremely rainy weather."

"Last year the 8th District experienced severe flooding that resulted in major property damage. With the significant snowfall that took place this winter, it is critical that we prepare for spring flooding and that my neighbors have access to affordable flood insurance," Duckworth said in a written statement.

The five congressional representatives signed a letter to the chairman of the House subcommittee on homeland security that has jurisdiction over FEMA asking that FEMA's Risk MAP (mapping, assessment and planning) program receive, "robust funding sufficient to carry out its mission in the Fiscal Year 2015 Homeland Security Appropriation measure."

"Helping our communities better prepare for flooding risks and plan ahead to reduce damage and keep families safe is critical," Schneider said in a written statement. "The Risk MAP program fosters cooperation across federal, state and local lines and helps our communities mitigate their risks with the best information and resources available."

The letter said increased MAP funding would lead to better gathering of data, more direct engagement within communities and better sharing if information by all stakeholders involved in implementing risk mitigation strategies.

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