Washington, DC (June 13, 2007) – For the first time in history, Rio Grande Valley residents might be forced to purchase mandatory flood insurance even if the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Corps of Engineers account for the future repair of substandard dams and levees in their flood maps, said Rep. Rubén Hinojosa yesterday during a hearing on flood insurance. Hinojosa urged members of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing to properly address this potentially problematic issue under H.R. 1682, the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007.

“I realize that H.R. 1682 is intended to address several weaknesses in the National Flood Insurance Program that were exposed by the unprecedented 2005 hurricane season, and I support several provisions in the bill,” said Hinojosa.  “However, I must stress that there are several areas in which I find fault and several issues that have not been dealt with under this bill.” 

“My main concern is that FEMA and the Corps of Engineers might not be creating very accurate maps,” continued Hinojosa. “If mapping is being conducted now, I am concerned that those renderings might not take into account the fact that some areas will eventually have dams and levees that are up to par, including those in my district and along the U.S. border with Mexico.” 

The Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007 will significantly reform the National Flood Insurance Program. It attempts to ensure the continued viability by encouraging broader participation, increasing accountability, eliminating certain Federal subsidies, and updating flood insurance maps to meet the needs of the 21st century. During the Subcommittee’s consideration of the bill, Hinojosa identified several other critical issues that have not been properly addressed or clarified under the current Act. These include:

• The omission of language regarding map accuracy and the use of modern geospatial technologies, which might affect whether FEMA and the Corp of Engineers are using the appropriate methodology and the most advanced technology to draw floodplain maps

• No consideration of providing watershed mapping, an addition that possibly would result in much more accurate, and less politically motivated, floodplain maps

• No clear indication as to what would trigger the mandatory requirement for homeowners and homebuyers to purchase flood insurance 

• No clarification on the phase-in of imposed premiums for low-income homebuyers and current homeowners who currently do not live in a floodplain, but who might once the mapping is complete 

“My greatest fear is that this legislation could result in people losing their homes or not being able to afford a home because of mandatory flood insurance premiums,” concluded Hinojosa.  “There is quite a bit at stake economically if those maps are not drawn using the latest and greatest technology and this bill passes in its current form.”