GOAL:
Protect life and property from the hazards of flooding.

OBJECTIVE:
Prevent new flood hazards, reduce existing flood hazards, attain appropriate safety standards for all dams, and thus increase public safety in a cost effective and environmentally sound manner.

STATUS & TRENDS:
Storm events can potentially impact the 40,000 to 50,000 structures located in Connecticut's flood zones. Coastal hazards cause recurring damage to shoreline structures and alter coastal conditions. Of the over 4,200 dams within the State, approximatel y 2,000 could cause loss of life or property damage in the event of their failure. With one exception, all Connecticut municipalities have adopted floodplain zoning. Encroachment lines have been established on over 270 miles of rivers and streams, and f lood insurance policies are in force on a large percentage of flood prone properties. Although major flood protection activities have been undertaken, should a major statewide storm similar to the 1955 hurricane occur, the State could suffer significant life-threatening events and major economic losses. A comprehensive flood protection program requires cooperation and commitments from all levels of government. These efforts should be implemented on a watershed basis and address natural resource issues such as aquifer and wetlands conservation, flood warning and river corridor management. Dam safety efforts must continue to focus on the 150 dams currently not meeting safety standards.

STRATEGIES:

1. Integrate watershed management techniques such as basin storm water management plans into comprehensive floodplain management programs.
2. Continue the expansion and improvement of flood monitoring and warning programs.
3. Encourage cooperation, coordination and funding for cost effective and environmentally sound municipal flood protection programs.
4. Direct the construction of new developments, redevelopment efforts and the location of critical infrastructure elements away from areas subject to flooding and natural erosion.
5. Focus dam safety program efforts on the 150 dams not meeting current safety standards.
6. Enhance the ongoing dam safety inspection program initiatives.
7. Continue the program for the upgrading, repair, and regular maintenance of state owned dams to assure their safety and long term performance.
8. Expand staff capability within DEP to effectively utilize and catalog predictive computer models of Connecticut's flood prone rivers and streams.
9. Give priority to non-structural flood control measures.
10. Re-evaluate the existing stream channel encroachment lines that were based on the assumption of future channel improvements or upstream dams that are now unlikely to be built under current conditions.
11. Upgrade and update the flood insurance studies in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to verify the accuracy of the Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
12. Develop consistent standards and criteria for municipal flood plain zoning and train local officials in the need for protective zoning standards and their use.
13. Require floodplain zoning decisions to consider ecological, aquifer, wetland and public access impacts and train local officials about the importance of these functions.
14. Expand the floodplain boundary to include all areas within the permitted base flood elevation.
15. Evaluate the need for statutory changes to limit allowable flood elevation increases in flood prone areas.
16. Re-evaluate existing regulations for floodplains in terms of current technology, recognizing the dynamic nature of alluvial rivers and coastal areas.
17. Maintain and expand the existing stream gaging program.
18. Continue to delineate areas of high risk in terms of coastal and inland flooding and develop strategies to address those risks, including increased emphasis on acquisition.