To improve Virginia's flood protection programs and to consolidate all related programs in one agency, responsibility for coordination of all state floodplain programs was transferred in 1987 from the Water Control Board to DCR. DCR was named manager of the state's floodplain program and designated the coordinating agency of the National Flood Insurance Program under the act, §10.1-602ct.
The Floodplain Management Program was created to manage Virginia's flood hazards. In particular, it aims to prevent loss of life, reduce property damage, and conserve natural and beneficial values of state rivers and coastal floodplains. To achieve these goals, DCR promotes National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) compliance and participation, offers technical assistance and community education, coordinates with other state and federal agencies, and provides funding through the Dam Safety, Flood Prevention and Protection Assistance Fund.
NFIP compliance and participation - Flood insurance is available to property owners in Virginia mostly through the NFIP, which is administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). NFIP flood insurance policies are available only when the locality actively manages its floodplain by participating in the NFIP. The 290 Virginia communities that participate in NFIP have adopted and enforce special floodplain management ordinances to protect development in riverine, lacustrine (lakes) and coastal areas prone to flooding. For more information on NFIP flood insurance, visit www.FloodSmart.gov.
If a community is not enforcing its floodplain ordinance in compliance with the NFIP, it can be placed on probation or suspended from the program. If a community is placed on probation, all policyholders in that community will have to pay a surcharge fee in addition to their regular annual premiums until the community acts to correct deficiencies and returns to good standing with the NFIP. In suspended communities, no new policies will be issued, and current policies will not be renewed, leaving at-risk floodplain residents and businesses without flood insurance coverage. This can impact federally backed mortgages and some forms of FEMA disaster aid. DCR staff works with communities to help them maintain NFIP compliance and encourages communities to join the program.
All participating communities can reduce the cost of policyholder premiums by participating in the Community Rating System (CRS) Program. This program awards points to communities that implement flood protection measures beyond minimum NFIP participation requirements. Points are awarded to communities for various activities including higher regulatory standards, open space preservation, flood warning systems and citizen-education programs. For more information about CRS in Virginia, visit DCR’s Community Rating System page.
Use DCR’s Local Floodplain Management Directory to see if your community takes part in NFIP or CRS.
DCR also works with the Virginia Floodplain Management Association to promote smart floodplain management and NFIP participation.
Technical assistance and community education – To help communities meet NFIP requirements and safely managing their floodplains, DCR staff provides technical assistance and community education to Virginia localities. DCR staff works with local floodplain administrators to review communities’ floodplain management programs, including floodplain management ordinances, permit review processes, and flood maps and mitigation projects.
DCR provides workshops and one-on-one training to communities on various topics such as floodplain management principles, permitting development in the floodplain, using the Virginia Flood Risk Information System, joining CRS, understanding elevation certificates and incorporating floodplain management into community planning efforts. For more information on current training sessions, see the Dam Safety and Floodplain Management Calendar.
In addition to helping communities, DCR staff helps individuals learn about floodplain regulations and flood insurance. Assistance is often provided to property owners, engineers, consultants, developers, realtors and insurance agents with questions on flood zones and mapping, construction methods and ordinance interpretation. Also, special training is provided to professional groups.
State and Federal Agency Coordination – Because NFIP is a FEMA program, DCR works closely with FEMA to ensure that floodplain management staffers are up-to-date on current FEMA policies and guidance. DCR staff shares this information with localities in the state, serving as a liaison between Virginia communities and FEMA to help local officials continue proper implementation of floodplain programs. DCR also works with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who reviews joint permit applications for development in inland waterways, conducts floodplain studies, and funds cost-share projects with localities. DCR also works with National Weather Service, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Natural Resources Conservation Service staff that work on flood-related projects in Virginia.
DCR works closely with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM). VDEM manages the state’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides funding for acquisition and elevation projects, infrastructure protection measures and updates to regional hazard mitigation plans. DCR and VDEM meet regularly to coordinate flood management goals for the state and share information on flood events.
DCR also coordinates with other state agencies including the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and Virginia Department of Transportation.
Some of these relationships have been formalized by participation in the Virginia Silver Jackets, an interagency team dedicated to reducing flood hazards in the state.
Flood Prevention and Protection Assistance Fund - This fund was established to provide localities a 50 percent match for flood prevention and protection projects, either as a grant or a loan. Such projects may include engineered studies of floodplains, floodplain map updates, developing flood hazard mitigation strategies and plans, and education and outreach materials related to flood hazards. For more information on this fund and eligible projects, please visit the Dam Safety and Floodplain Management Grants page.