Floodplain management studies provide needed information and assistance to local and State entities so that they can implement programs for reducing existing and future flood damages in rural and urban communities. Assistance is targeted to communities where flood damage is a serious concern and local governments are sincerely interested in taking action to reduce damage.

Assistance is available to conservation districts, communities, county governments, regional planning boards, other planning groups, and State and Federal agencies.

(a) A conservation district, local community or other jurisdiction may request floodplain management assistance for a local area for which they are responsible, by letter to the governor or the agency of State government responsible for floodplain management activities. Assistance in making application may be obtained by contacting any NRCS office.

(b) The governor or his designee may request floodplain management assistance for the State by submitting a written request to the State Conservationist.

(a) USDA floodplain management studies are authorized by the Director of the Basin and Area Planning Division. Priority for starting floodplain management studies is based on the same factors as for USDA Cooperative Studies as described in § 621.13.

(b) A study for an individual community may be started upon completion of a plan of work in which the Director of the Basin and Area Planning Division concurs and for which funds are available. Preparation of the plan of work is the responsibility of and must be approved by the applicant, the responsible State agency, and the State Conservationist. The plan sets forth the responsibilities of the applicant, the State, and USDA in carrying out the study and interpreting and using the data in a local floodplain management program. The State agency responsible for floodplain management activities may establish priorities on which to base the sequence of approval of floodplain management studies within its State. The number of studies started each Federal fiscal year is governed by the availability of funds and personnel and the amount of State and local assistance available.

(c) States and communities are encouraged to make monetary or in-kind contributions toward the floodplain management study. The State and local share may reflect in-kind contributions in lieu of fund transfers.

NRCS is responsible for providing leadership for scheduling and implementing the technical phases of the studies and preparing the reports. NRCS assists in interpreting the study results.

The State agency is responsible for developing State priorities for floodplain management studies and coordinating this work with related activities in the State. The cooperating local government entity is responsible for obtaining permission for carrying out field surveys. The State and local participants assist in distributing and interpreting the report and providing public information and educational services.