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A report by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) says that despite the public’s increased awareness about flood risk following Hurricane Katrina and other events, limited progress has been made in many parts of the country to reduce this risk. For example, in 2007 Congress called for the President to conduct a national flood vulnerability assessment, yet Congress has not funded the request. Similarly, the nation’s risk mapping programs and flood protection infrastructure are underfunded, and as a result many public officials do not understand the risk of flooding faced by the U.S.

The report, Flood Risk Management, Call for a National Strategy, was developed by ASCE’s Task Committee on Flood Safety Policies and Practices. It includes chapters on understanding flood risk management and “lessons observed but not learned since Katrina.” The report says there is neither a common nor a long-term vision for how the U.S. should organize to respond to flood risk and recommends a national (not federal) vision and “supporting organizational framework for flood risk management.”  The report recommends a risk management approach that works with natural processes rather than against them.

Citing minimal funding for infrastructure that “remains in marginal condition,” the report urges leaders to find a sustainable path for financing infrastructure upgrades that seeks to manage risks rather than “control flooding.” It also urges leaders to find ways to support innovative financing ideas.