FEMA COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM ( CRS )
Federally backed flood insurance is provided by the National Flood Insurance Program ( NFIP ) to communities that enact and enforce floodplain regulations . A community , such as Kiawah Island , adopts and enforces a floodplain management ordinance in order to qualify for the NFIP . This ordinance regulates development in particular flood hazard areas in efforts to minimize the potential for flood damage to future development . The NFIP ’ s goals are to provide flood insurance to property owners , to encourage flood loss reduction activities by communities , and to save taxpayers ’ money . To reward communities for going above and beyond , the Community Rating System ( CRS ) was developed under the NFIP to provide additional incentives for property owners .
Under the CRS , flood insurance premiums are discounted for community residents and businesses that go beyond the minimum required by the NFIP to reduce and avoid flood damage to insurable property , strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP , and foster comprehensive floodplain management . The CRS uses a point-based structure to determine a community ’ s class rating . For every 500 points earned , owners of structures in the 100- year floodplain receive a discount of 5 % and additional accumulation of points can result in up to 45 % reduction in rates . The goal for the CRS is to reward communities for enhancing their resilience to flooding while incorporating nature-based solutions to utilize runoff rather than viewing it as a waste product .
FEMA COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM ( CRS )
By utilizing nature-based solutions and developing a green infrastructure plan “ involving open space , wetlands , floodplains , and woodlands ” and “ supporting natural floodplain functions within the open space ” Kiawah Island as a community has the potential to earn a maximum of 1,800 points . For more information about CRS and naturebased solutions , the following document from The Nature Conservancy is a good resource : Community Incentives for Nature-Based Flood Solutions : A Guide to FEMA ’ s Community Rating System for Conservation Practitioners .
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