Executive Order affecting floodplain development issued January 31, 2015

An Executive Order has been issued that is very important information for anyone working in the Special Flood Hazard Area.  It takes future conditions into account and requires Design Elevations for lowest floors to be 2 feet above BFE for standard construction and 3 feet above BFE for critical facilities, or construction to the 500 year / 0.2%. Implementation of this new standard will not occur until the end of the 60-day public input period and agencies have been able to update their standards and regulations, which will also trigger public comment periods.

Executive Order - http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/01/30/executive-order-establishing-federal-flood-risk-management-standard-and-

Fact Sheet - http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/Press_Releases/January_30_2015