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Notification From Office of Emergency Management of Local Mitigation Strategy Progress Report for Community Rating System Program
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
Community Rating System (CRS) Activity 510 requires an annual progress report on the implementation of the Floodplain Management Plan. This requirement is met through the adoption and progress monitoring of the County’s Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS).
Continued credit is dependent upon plan implementation. To maintain the credit for CRS Activity 510, every year the community must evaluate its progress toward implementing the projects and programs in the plan, area analysis, or natural floodplain functions plan, and submit a report of that evaluation with its annual CRS recertification.
Since the 5-year update of the Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) is already adopted, it serves as the Community Rating System (CRS) Activity 510 Floodplain Management Plan.
Accordingly, there are annual maintenance requirements from the State of Florida and the CRS program. Every year the County should complete the following activities:
1. State Requirement: Provide an annual update to FDEM of the current project list and the current work group members as required by 27P-22.004 Florida Administrative Code. (Attached and completed for review.)
2. CRS Requirement: Provide the BOCC an annual progress report on the “Activity 510 - Floodplain Management Plan” which in our case is the LMS.
Lower-cost flood insurance rates are only one of the rewards a community receives from participating in the CRS. Here are some other benefits:
1. Citizens and property owners in CRS communities have increased opportunities to learn about risk, evaluate their individual vulnerabilities, and take action to protect themselves, as well as their homes and businesses.
2. CRS floodplain management activities provide enhanced public safety, reduced damage to property and public infrastructure, and avoidance of economic disruption and loss.
3. Communities can evaluate their flood programs against a nationally recognized benchmark.
4. Technical assistance in carrying out some activities is available to community officials at no charge.
5. CRS communities have incentives to maintain and improve their flood programs over time.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Hernando County’s participation in the CRS program allows for reduced flood insurance premiums for County residents.
LEGAL NOTE
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recommendation
RECOMMENDATION
For informational purposes only; no action is required by the Board.