This morning I met with Kelly Spratt (Sea Grant's primary contact in St.
Marys), Councilman Bob Nutter, and Planning Director, Roger Weaver. I am
stunned and gratified by the magnitude of work that's been accomplished thus
far.
The preliminary site visit by the FEMA representative indicates that we are
well-positioned (with do-able work) to attain a favourable Community Rating
System score and this should prove invaluable in terms of off-setting the rising
flood insurance rates caused by the misguided Biggert-Waters Act.
At this time the Sea Grant team is working closely with city staff
(primarily Mr. Weaver) to compile the information necessary for full examination
and analysis of our status. This stage will be followed by interviews (which are
being arranged) and the formulation of VCAPS (Vulnerability Consequences
Adaptation Planning Scenarios). Throughout the two-year process there will be a
series of public meetings - the first of which is tentatively scheduled for
mid-March and will be well-publicized.
I will endeavour to update everyone regularly via emails, the media, the
EarthKeepers' website and our Facebook page. At this time there's little that
concerned citizens can do other than attend the announced meetings and applaud
Council for their clear-eyed decision to embrace this initiative. Sea Grant is
deep in the realm of complex mapping and a level of science that, quite
honestly, keeps me scrambling up the learning curve.
I am deeply pleased by our community's support for this project, and the
fact that St. Marys now stands as one of the most proactive and progressive
coastal cities on either seaboard. The work that we do here will serve as a
blueprint for communities throughout America - and beyond.
Biggert-Waters may be "delayed" but, according to the Government Accountability Office, the
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is approximately $24 billion in debt to
the Treasury. The premiums are too small to cover its costs, pay claims to
flooded homeowners, and repay the Treasury. Property-owners will, sooner or
later, be forced to cover the costs. http://www.moneynews.com/Personal-Finance/spending-bill-flood-insurance/2014/01/15/id/547309
What
strikes me in all of this is our acceptance that we can't (won't) strive to
lower the river, and so we must try to raise the "land." We are, on a national and global basis, becoming reactive instead of proactive when it come to climate change and
its cataclysmic impacts. As I have said before, I urge you all to contact your
elected officials. Ask them about their stance on climate change...and then cast
your votes accordingly.
Alex
