HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 HJM 4009

                       As Passed House

                       March 15, 1993

Brief Description:  Petitioning for consistency and flexibility of actions of the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency with regard to flood projects.

Sponsors:  Representatives R. Johnson, Quall, Veloria, Rust, Kremen and J. Kohl.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Environmental Affairs, March 1, 1993, DP;

Passed House, March 15, 1993, 97-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives Rust, Chair; Flemming, Vice Chair; Van Luven, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bray; Edmondson; Foreman; Hansen; Holm; L. Johnson; J. Kohl; Linville; Roland; and Sheahan.

Staff:  Rick Anderson (786-7114).

Background:  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides funding for federally declared flood disasters.  FEMA policies require that most of the federal money for dike and levee reconstruction be used to restore the damaged structure to pre-existing conditions.  This policy often results in similar damages during subsequent floods.

The state Department of Fisheries has established guidelines to encourage planting vegetation on dike and levee systems to reduce erosion.  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers policies on vegetation management often discourage planting vegetation. 

Summary of Bill:  The memorial asks that Congress amend the flood assistance policies of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be more flexible.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.