NEW ORLEANS – On Friday Greater New Orleans Inc. announced an action plan to propose solutions to problems produced by recent changes to the National Flood Insurance Program and Federal Emergency Management Agency preliminary flood maps. This is an outcome of a recent trip to Washington, D.C., of 14 parish leaders that was led by GNO Inc. The trip to Washington led to the introduction of an amendment to delay the implementation of the Biggert-Waters Act, which is responsible for the changes to the NFIP, and also to the formation of a Congressional Caucus dedicated to resolving these issues.
The action plan includes working with the Louisiana Congressional delegation to introduce legislation that corrects the problems created by the Biggert-Waters Act. Further, GNO Inc. and partners are working with FEMA to develop more accurate flood maps. Additionally, the group is reaching out to other affected coastal and riverine areas across the country to educate them on the devastating consequences of this legislation and to form a national coalition to lobby Congress to amend the Biggert-Waters Act. Communities in Florida, New York, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas have already been contacted on this issue.
Since the trip, Sens. Mary Landrieu and David Vitter offered an amendment that would delay implementation of the Biggert-Waters Act for five years. Although the amendment was defeated, the group of business and parish leaders is working closely with the Louisiana Congressional delegation to amend and or delay implementation of the Biggert-Waters Act.
Additionally, Congressman Bill Cassidy announced earlier today the formation of the Congressional Home Protection Caucus, which he will co-chair with Congressman Cedric Richmond and Vitter. The Congressional Home Protection Caucus is designed to be a platform to engage FEMA and NFIP in its rulemaking process and ensure the agency is working with locals in establishing accurate Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Congressman Steve Scalise and Congressman Rodney Alexander are also members of the caucus. Scalise has also spoken directly with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate on the issues at hand to raise the group’s concerns with him.
Also, Rep. Maxine Waters, co-author of the Biggert-Waters Act, said last week that it was not the intent of Congress to impose the types of punitive and unaffordable flood insurance premiums that South Louisiana residents are facing, and that she intends to work with Congress and the Obama Administration to correct the problem.
“The people and businesses of South Louisiana support a sustainable, fiscally responsible National Flood Insurance Program that protects the businesses and homeowners who built according to code and have followed all applicable laws,” said Michael Hecht, president and CEO of GNO Inc. “However, changes made to the NFIP in the Biggert-Waters Act of 2012 threaten to harm the very citizens the program was designed to protect. We are thankful and appreciative of the work of our Louisiana Congressional delegation to address this issue and look forward to a successful resolution.”
“Many years ago the ancestors in our community were forced out of Nova Scotia and eventually settled in South Louisiana and parts of Terrebonne Parish,” said Michel Claudet, Terrebonne Parish president. “Unfortunately, our federal government is now doing the same thing to their descendants, the Native American people, and the hard-working people who live in South Louisiana by the implementation of the Biggert-Waters Act. ”
“The efforts of our residents and others around the state and on the East Coast, coupled with the fly-in, have opened many eyes to the reality of this situation,” said St. Charles Parish President V.J. St. Pierre. “I want to thank anyone who has worked on this issue – members of the public especially – and encourage your continued support and action. I will continue to be committed to working with our regional partners to restore grandfathering provisions and reduce flood insurance costs for local residents and businesses.”
“Sen. Toomey’s action blocking a vote to amend Biggert-Waters is a minor setback, suggesting that politics is more important than people,” said Natalie Robottom, St. John the Baptist Parish president. “We disagree, and our efforts will not be detoured. The NFIP rate increases will destroy coastal Louisiana, coastal states and all other areas with the potential to flood. We cannot sit back and allow this to happen.”
“The unintended cons“The outcome of the proposed amendment is disappointing after strong efforts were made by Sens. Mary Landrieu and David Vitter,” said St. James Parish President Timmy Roussel. “We must continue to take a stand to ensure south Louisiana is treated fairly. We cannot fault anyone for taking proactive steps to shield their families and homes from danger. Although it may be an uphill battle, we will continue the fight alongside our allies to gain protection for our parishes.”
On May 7-8, GNO Inc. organized and led a delegation of more than 20 parish leaders on a trip to Washington, D.C., to discuss the Biggert-Waters Act of 2012 and new FEMA flood maps and their impacts. The Biggert-Waters Act of 2012, which reauthorized and made substantive changes to the National Flood Insurance Program, phases out grandfathering and subsidized flood insurance rates. This phase out of grandfathering will result in properties that were legally built according to all applicable codes at that time now being considered out of compliance. Additionally, new FEMA flood maps, which outline base flood elevation changes, do not recognize protection offered by non-accredited levees when calculating actuarial rates.
The combined effects of these policies could be drastic and devastating if Congress and FEMA do not act.