The Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers (CASFM) is an organization of professionals involved in floodplain and stormwater management, water quality, flood hazard mitigation and flood preparedness. CASFM represents the interests of stormwater managers and flood hazard specialists from local and state government, the research community, the insurance industry, and consulting engineers.
About
CASFM has grown to a membership of over 1,000 since its formation in 1989. Today, in our efforts to be a vibrant and effective organization, bi-monthly general meetings are held at different locations; workshops and training classes are held a number of times each year; field trips are held as projects dictate; and an Annual Conference is held each fall.
Members of CASFM in private industry and in public service are working toward the same cause; to reduce the loss of human life and property from flood and storm damage. In time of need there is nothing more crucial than taking a moment to stop, think, and envision a future condition that is better than the present. The only way we can secure that vision is to build back smarter, stronger and more resilient to floods and debris flows. To create a resilient state in the future, we recommend communities and government agencies take the following bold actions:
Consider detailed flood hazard assessments before issuing building permits to provide time for post-flood information to be collected and community reconstruction plans to be created from that information.
Support the public safety intent behind the State Floodplain Regulations by instituting them immediately on all rebuilding efforts. These regulations are available on the Colorado Water Conservation Board website.
Develop Advisory Base Flood Elevations (ABFEs) for rebuilding structures in and around flooded areas. This should include high water marks from 2013 flooding, historic flood records, and FEMA Flood Insurance Study data.
Rebuild outside the floodplain whenever possible to reduce the potential for damage in the future. One of the most effective ways to mitigate future losses is to relocate structures and infrastructure outside known hazard areas.
Utilize CASFM members and website library for rebuilding guidance. Our 700-member organization of Certified Floodplain Mangers (CFMs), engineers, planners, scientists, environmentalists and stormwater managers are available to direct communities to assistance.
Support the implementation of master plans locally and regionally by executing them during flood recovery rebuilding efforts rather than replacing in-kind.
Consider FEMA repetitive flood loss clauses that affect the cost of flood insurance in areas most frequently impacted by flooding. Local governmental entities should consider available flood evidence and history before issuing permits in high hazard areas, especially in Front Range canyon watersheds and along the South Platte River.
Complete a post-disaster analysis of the 2013 flood to track how federal recovery funds were spent on the disaster in individual communities. This will allow all communities to measure the effectiveness of these recovery efforts during future floods that will occur in Colorado.