The Flood Plain Management Services (FPMS) Program is authorized by Section 206 of the 1960 Flood Control Act (Public Law 86-645), as amended. The Corps of Engineers developed the FPMS Program specifically to address the need of people who live and work in the floodplain to know about the flood hazard and the actions they can take to reduce property damage and prevent the loss of life caused by flooding. The program’s objective is to foster public understanding of the options for dealing with flood hazards and to promote prudent use and management of the nation’s floodplains.

Typical types of studies

The FPMS program provides the full range of technical services and planning guidance that is needed to support effective floodplain management. The program develops or interprets site-specific data on obstructions to flood flows, flood formation and timing; flood depths or stages; floodwater velocities; the extent, duration, and frequency of flooding; impacts of land use changes; guidance and assistance for meeting standards of the National Flood Insurance Program; and inventory of natural and cultural resources. It also provides assistance for conducting workshops and seminars on nonstructural floodplain management measures such as flood proofing.

On a larger scale, FPMS general planning guidance provides assistance in the form of “special studies” on all aspects of floodplain management planning including the possible impacts of off-floodplain land use changes on the physical, socio-economic, and environmental conditions of the floodplain. Special studies can range from helping a community identify present or future floodplain areas and related problems, to a broad assessment of which various remedial measures may be effectively used.

Some of the most common types of special studies include:

·        Floodplain delineation,

·        Flood hazard evaluation,

·        Dam break analysis,

·        Hurricane evacuation,

·        Flood warning/preparedness,

·        Regulatory floodway analysis,

·        Comprehensive floodplain management,

·        Flood damage reduction,

·        Urbanization impacts,

·        Stormwater management,

·        Flood proofing,

·        Inventory of flood-prone structures.

Silver Jackets – Interagency Nonstructural (IANS) Efforts

The Silver Jackets teams bring together multiple state, federal, local agencies, and Tribes to learn from one another and work together to reduce risk from floods and sometimes other natural hazards. By applying their shared knowledge, the teams enhance preparedness, mitigation, and response and recovery efforts when such events do occur.

Silver Jackets teams work together on Interagency Nonstructural (IANS) Efforts. IANS efforts are 100% Federally funded, and collaborating agencies can offer cash services or work-in-kind

IANS efforts include but are not limited to:

• State hazard mitigation plan updates,
• Inundation mapping,
• Tabletop exercises,
• Development of Emergency Action Plans,
• Risk Communication Workshops,
• Coordination of perishable data collection

Upon request, program services are provided without charge to State, regional, and local governments; federally recognized Native American Indian tribes; and other non-Federal public agencies. At their option, these entities may provide voluntary contributions toward requested services to expand the scope or accelerate the provision of these services. Program services are also offered to non-water resource Federal agencies and the private sector on a 100-percent cost recovery basis, paid before services are provided