What the Corps of Engineers Can Do:
The Floodplain Management Services (FPMS) Program provides the full range of technical services and planning guidance that is needed to support effective floodplain management.
Types of Assistance:
General Technical Services: The program develops or interprets site-specific data on obstructions to flood flows; flood formation and timing; flood depths or stages; floodwater velocities; and the extent, duration, and frequency of flooding. It also provides information on natural and cultural floodplain resources before and after the use of floodplain management measures.
General Planning Guidance: On a larger scale, the program provides assistance and guidance in the form of “Special Studies” on all aspects of floodplain management planning, including the possible impacts of off-floodplain land use changes on the physical, socio-economic, and environmental conditions of the floodplain. Special Studies are accomplished at 100% Federal cost. However, funding for these studies is very limited and competitive.
Special Studies can range from helping a community identify present or future floodplain areas to a broad assessment of the various floodplain management alternatives. Some of the most common types of Special Studies include:
- Floodplain Delineation/Flood Hazard Evaluation Studies
- Dam Break Analysis Studies
- Flood Warning/Preparedness Studies
- Regulatory Floodway Studies
- Comprehensive Floodplain Management Studies
- Urbanization Impact Studies
- Storm Water Management Studies
- Hydrologic,Hydraulic, and Sediment Transport Modeling
The program also provides guidance and assistance for meeting standards of the National Flood Insurance Program and for conducting workshops and seminars on nonstructural floodplain management measures, such as flood proofing and relocation of structures from the floodplain.
Guides, Pamphlets, and Supporting Studies:
Studies are conducted under the program to improve the methods and procedures for mitigating flood damages. Guides and pamphlets also are prepared on flood proofing techniques, floodplain regulation, floodplain occupancy, natural floodplain resources, and other related aspects of floodplain management.
Charges for Assistance:
Upon request, program services are provided to state, regional, and local governments, Native American Tribes, and other non-Federal public agencies without charge, based on available funding.
Program services also are offered to non-water resource Federal agencies and to the private sector on a 100-percent cost recovery basis. For most of these requests, payment is required before services are provided. A schedule of charges is used to recover the cost of services taking up to one day to provide. Letter requests or signed agreements are used to charge for those that take longer.
All requesters are encouraged to furnish available field survey data, maps, historical flood information, and the like to help reduce the cost of services.
In addition, Section 202 of the WRDA of 1999 authorized the voluntary contribution of funds by States, local governments, and Native American Tribes for the purpose of expanding the scope of services requested under Floodplain Management Services by these entities.
How to Request Assistance:
Agencies, governments, organizations, and individuals interested in flood-related information or assistance should contact the Rock Island District’s Floodplain Management Services Program Coordinator at (309) 794-5704 or by email at customeroutreach@usace.army.mil