Assessing Opportunities for Regional CRS Support in Hampton Roads
The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that rewards communities with discounted flood insurance for implementing floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Participation in CRS is especially beneficial for Hampton Roads localities, as this region is vulnerable to flooding events due to low-lying coastland topography. HRPDC currently provides regional support for communities through hazard mitigation planning, technical assistance, and public outreach. This study evaluated opportunities for the HRPDC to improve its current support for local and regional floodplain management programs and resiliency efforts. A regional approach to CRS activities would offer a larger resource pool and insight into lessons learned, reducing the burden on individual communities. This study resulted in multiple recommendations for the HRPDC to improve existing resources and implement new initiatives to support local participation in the CRS.
Author Bio
Ginny serves as Director of Environmental and Water Resources with AMT Engineering (AMT), a civil/environmental/transportation engineering consulting firm. She is a certified Professional Engineer in several states and the District of Columbia and is a Certified Floodplain Manager. She opened the AMT Williamsburg office in 2018 focusing on providing policy, planning and engineering services to municipal and state agency clients in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. She specializes in environmental issues including resilience, water quality, floodplain management and stormwater. She holds an undergraduate degree in environmental science from the University of Virginia and a master's in environmental engineering from Johns Hopkins University. ***Unable to fit both bios due to character limit, please contact ecorbitt@hrpdcva.gov for the other speaker bio.
