Recent experiences in the U.S. with natural disasters, including the floods of 1993 which devastated much of Illinois, have led to a shift in key federal policies. Recent Congressional actions now emphasize proactive mitigation planning as a means to break the national cycle of disaster-repair-disaster associated with floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other catastrophes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in particular, has adopted new policies which will require communities to develop mitigation plans to be eligible for financial assistance.

In response to these policies, and the federal flood disaster declarations in 1993, the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) in Chicago has developed a guidebook entitled Flood Hazard Mitigation in Northeastern Illinois. This guidebook is intended as an aid to municipalities and counties in developing plans to remediate existing flooding problems, to prevent future increases in flood damages, and to more effectively respond to flood disasters. Preparation of the guidebook was funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration.

The principal author of the guidebook is French Wetmore, a nationally known expert on flood mitigation. The guidebook contains state-of-the-art information on numerous flood mitigation measures, including recommendations on where various measures are appropriate, their potential limitations, and where to go for more information. This information reflects national experience as well as Illinois conditions and programs. While the guidebook was developed in northeastern Illinois, its guidance is generally applicable statewide.

The guidebook tackles flood hazard mitigation in a comprehensive fashion, focusing on four basic strategies. Each strategy has various measures that are appropriate for different conditions. In many communities, a different person may be responsible for each strategy. The four strategies are described briefly below.

(1) Prevention: Through prevention, flood problems are kept from getting worse. The use and development of floodprone areas is limited through planning, land acquisition, and/or regulation. Preventive measures are usually administered by building, zoning, planning, and/or code enforcement offices.

(2) Property protection: Property protection usually is undertaken by property owners on a building-by-building or parcel basis. Government agencies can provide information and technical or financial assistance to owners who want to elevate, floodproof, insure, or otherwise protect their property.

(3) Emergency services: Emergency measures are taken during a flood to minimize its impact. These measures are the responsibility of city or county emergency management staff and the owners or operators of critical facilities.

(4) Flood control: Keeping floodwaters away from an area with a levee, reservoir or other structural project is the goal of flood control. Flood control activities are usually designed by engineers and managed or maintained by public works staff.

The guidebook is specifically targeted to local officials in both its approach and content. It leads local officials through the planning and flood recovery process in an easy-to-follow format. It recommends development of a pre-flood mitigation plan to reduce hazards and prepare communities before a flood strikes. It also advises communities on critical post-flood recovery and mitigation procedures. The guidebook contains extensive references and identifies local, state, and federal agencies and organizations which can provide additional assistance.

NIPC recently utilized this guidebook to develop countywide flood hazard mitigation strategies for Cook, Lake, and McHenry Counties. These strategies. identify numerous opportunities for countywide agencies, particularly stormwater management planning committees (which are currently unique to northeastern Illinois) and emergency management agencies, to work with municipalities in providing technical assistance and coordinating mitigation planning efforts countywide. Countywide stormwater agencies have been particularly active in implementing mitigation strategies which apply to both municipalities and unincorporated areas. Some of their more notable accomplishments include:

DuPage County: Adopted countywide stormwater management plan and comprehensive ordinance, completed several watershed plans, designed and completed flood control projects, and developed a countywide stream maintenance and stabilization program.

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Lake County: Adopted countywide stormwater management plan and comprehensive ordinance and initiated several watershed studies.

McHenry County: Recently completed a countywide stormwater management plan.

Copies of Flood Hazard Mitigation in Northeastern Illinois are available from NIPC's publications department (312/454-0400) for $13.00. Question or comments on the guidebook or the countywide flood hazard mitigation strategies should be directed to Dennis Dreher or Tom Price at NIPC. •

Page 26 / Illinois Municipal Review / April 1996