Strong Wisconsin support for the federal Floodplain Enhancement & Recovery Act

Wisconsin support is growing for the federal Floodplain Enhancement & Recovery Act. This bipartisan legislation reforms antiquated policies within the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program that discourage restoration of degraded floodplains.

Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) recently announced his support and co-sponsorship of the measure, House Bill 6256, which addresses some of those policy barriers by:

Creating a definition for ecosystem restoration project;
Reducing costly permitting fees and lengthy review timelines for ecosystem restoration projects; and
Creating flexibilities that enable communities to permit a rise in base flood elevations for ecosystem restoration projects where it can be done safely to reduce flood risks.

The Floodplain Enhancement & Recovery Act is supported by a wide variety of organizations throughout Wisconsin that engage in voluntary restoration in partnership with communities and landowners. In response to the House Bill introduction, the organizations below shared the following statements of support:

“Healthy wetland, stream, and floodplain systems are essential to help us address problems related to flooding, drought, water quality, habitat, and more. While restoration has been especially difficult in FEMA-mapped floodplains, this legislation enables a more common-sense regulatory approach.”
– Tracy Hames, Executive Director, Wisconsin Wetlands Association

“As an organization focused on the Rock River Watershed, we’re excited that this bill may enable more effective restoration of streams and floodplains. Many of our local waterways have been straightened and disconnected from their floodplains, increasing flood risk and degrading water quality and habitat. Restoring stream and floodplain connections is good for watershed health and is a proven way to reduce these risks and improve the resilience of our communities.”
– Becca Dymzarov, Executive Director of the Rock River Coalition

“There is work to be done in Kenosha County to address areas that experience frequent flooding events, which affect our residents and infrastructure. These efforts would also serve to enhance the broader ecosystem in our region. This bill has the potential to facilitate this work in floodplain areas, and we’re happy to see Congressman Steil supporting this effort for Wisconsin.”
– Samantha Kerkman, Kenosha County Executive

“Wisconsin county conservation professionals work with farmers, landowners, and communities to design and implement conservation projects, including those within floodplains. This bill has the potential to improve the regulatory process and lead to more restoration across the landscape.”
– Matt Krueger, Wisconsin Land & Water Conservation Association

“Healthy wetlands and floodplains can reduce the pressure on our roads and culverts. The Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act can help facilitate restoration of floodplains that are degraded, reducing the need to repeatedly repair and replace infrastructure damaged by flooding.”
– Mike Koles, Executive Director, Wisconsin Towns Association

“From decades of working with local, state, and federal partners, TU engages in projects across the state to restore stream systems in a way that provides benefits for flood resilience and the natural habitats our cold-water fisheries depend on. We are encouraged that this bill is advancing the discussion on finding ways to facilitate restoration of degraded stream and floodplain systems.”
– Sara Strassman, Driftless Area Director, Wisconsin Trout Unlimited

“The members of the Wisconsin Association for Floodplain, Stormwater and Coastal Management (WAFSCM) continually work to reduce the risks to public safety and property loss posed by flooding. The WAFSCM board supports the reasonable policy changes within the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act that will reduce barriers to implementation of projects that reduce risk and provide other Natural and Beneficial Functions to our waterways and watersheds.”
– Michael Schwar, Certified Floodplain Manager, PE. Chair of WAFSCM

“Rural communities need help with modern flooding problems. The Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act will allow communities with smaller populations and tax bases to restore rivers and adhere to standards that are more appropriate for this beneficial work. This legislation is a step in the right direction to cut red tape, save money and time, and help rural areas protect themselves from future flooding.”
-Allison Werner, Executive Director, River Alliance of Wisconsin

As per the federal legislative process, the Floodplain Enhancement & Recovery Act has been referred to the House Committee on Financial Services, while the Senate version awaits a hearing in the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. Given the broad-based support for this legislation, organizations listed here are hopeful these commonsense reforms can be adopted into law.

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