An official website of the United States government.

This is not the current EPA website. To navigate to the current EPA website, please go to www.epa.gov. This website is historical material reflecting the EPA website as it existed on January 19, 2021. This website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. More information »

Lessons Learned on Integrating Water Quality and Nature-based Approaches into Hazard Mitigation Plans

  • Myra Schwartz, EPA Region 1, Assistance & Pollution Prevention Office
  • Carrie Robinette, Hazard Mitigation Specialist,  Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  • Josh Bruce, Director, Oregon Partnership for Disaster Resilience – a program of the University of Oregon School of Planning, Public Policy and Management and the Institute for Policy Research and Engagement

This webcast looks at two completed pilot projects that have successfully integrated watershed planning, green infrastructure practices and source water protection into FEMA hazard mitigation plans. Learn about how these communities are sharing the benefits, including:

  1. Better results and more efficient planning. If watershed planning is part of the hazard analysis, optimal results for water quality, floodplain management, and hazard risk reduction can be achieved.
  2. FEMA and other federal funding may be available to water quality projects that also mitigate hazards.
  3. More opportunity for green infrastructure solutions to hazards.
  4. Reduced flood insurance rates for communities that adopt stormwater policies that reduce risk, including green infrastructure and watershed planning.
  5. Potentially meet requirements for reducing water quality impairments faster by management with other risks.

Other Resources:  Check out www.epa.gov/soakuptherain to learn more about stormwater runoff and the benefits of green infrastructure.

You may need a PDF reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA’s About PDF page to learn more.