Today, the House of Representatives voted to pass the 21st Century Flood Reform Act. The bill provides much-needed reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program by gradually adjusting rates to reflect risk, providing incentives to help communities plan for future floods, and allowing states to create programs that offset premium costs for low income homeowners.

Collin O’Mara, president and chief executive officer of the National Wildlife Federation, said today:

“At a time when storms and flood events are more frequent and more severe than ever, it’s imperative that we reform the National Flood Insurance Program to ensure it protects people, property, and wildlife. But there is still much more work to be done, particularly with regard to nature-based mitigation solutions like protecting and restoring wetlands, tidal marshes, and dune systems that serve as effective natural defenses during extreme weather events. This bill represents a much-needed step towards reform and we hope to strengthen the bill’s mitigation and mapping provisions as it moves through the Senate.”

Read More:

National Wildlife Federation Report — Natural Defenses in Action: Harnessing Nature to Protect Our Communities
National Wildlife Federation Report — Higher Ground: A Report on Voluntary Buyouts in the Nation's Floodplains