Expect a near-average Atlantic hurricane season this year, with 12 named storms, including six hurricanes, two of which will be intense (winds reaching Category 3 or greater strength), according to the latest forecast by Colorado State University meteorologists Philip Klotzbach and Bill Gray. They estimate that the probability of a major hurricane landfall in the […]
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Funding: NRCS Recovery Act
Posted on April 2, 2009
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced that they will use $340 million from the Federal Recovery and Reinvestment Act to fund three floodplain-related programs: Floodplain Easements ($145,000,000) NRCS may purchase easements to help restore, protect, maintain, and enhance the functions of the floodplain; conserve natural values including fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, […]
Florida to Weaken Price-Controls on Property Insurance Rates?
Posted on April 1, 2009
In an attempt to reduce its enormous financial exposure, the Florida Legislature is considering retreating from price controls on property insurance rates that the state promulgated two years ago. According to an article in the Ocala Star-Banner, the new legislation could: Allow the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to raise its rates annually by as […]
New publication: The Importance of Reducing Disaster-Related Losses for Vulnerable Populations
Posted on March 26, 2009
The Institute for Business and Home Safety has released a new 4-page report outlining why certain groups are at higher risks for loss of life an property during natural disasters, and makes some recommendations for how communities can work to protect their most vulnerable citizens (e.g. improved building codes). The Importance of Reducing Disaster-Related Losses […]
New book: Managing for Long-Term Community Recovery in the Aftermath of Disaster
Posted on March 26, 2009
The Public Entity Risk Institute (PERI) has released a new book which, in their words, is “designed to help local officials and community leaders better understand the issues and challenges in restoring the social, political, and economic elements that make a community viable in the long term after a disaster has occurred.” Managing for Long-Term […]
New book: How to Maximize FEMA Funding After a Natural Disaster
Posted on March 26, 2009
While it doesn’t yet appear to have appeared on bookstore shelves (Amazon has it listed as “temporarily unavailable”), the $35, 80-page How to Maximize FEMA Funding After a Natural Disaster is already gathering attention, including an article in the Times Picayune and many “reviews” on Amazon (though few, if any, of the reviewers appear to […]
National Academies Report Calls for Federal Assistance for Local Planning for Climate Change
Posted on March 18, 2009
Last week the National Academies released a report calling for new federal efforts to identify local officials who need assistance in planning for climate change impacts. According to a press release by the National Academies, “The report recommends six principles that all agencies should follow in supporting decision makers who are facing the effects of […]
FUNDING/ASSISTANCE: Smart Growth Implementation Assistance
Posted on March 12, 2009
EPA’s Smart Growth Implementation Assistance 2009 program is seeking applications for technical assistance from communities that want to incorporate smart growth in their future development to meet environmental and other community goals. Eligible entities are tribal, local, regional, and state governments, and nonprofit organizations that have a demonstrated partnership with a governmental entity. Applications are […]
FUNDING/ASSISTANCE: NOAA Seeking "Shovel-Ready" Habitat Restoration Proposals
Posted on March 12, 2009
NOAA is seeking proposals for coastal habitat restoration projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in an unprecedented effort to jumpstart the economy. The effort is designed to create resilient and healthy communities by generating and saving jobs, employing several thousand people, and restoring valuable coastal and marine habitat. NOAA is formally […]
Trim Your Trees, Protect Your Utilities?
Posted on March 9, 2009
A report commissioned by the Public Utility Commission of Texas recommends a relatively inexpensive means of protecting the city’s utility lines: trim back dead and diseased trees — even those on private property. The article in the Houston Chronicle notes that the report argues that 96% of all damage to the city’s utility company’s infrastructure […]