Under the authority provided by Section 206 of the 1960 Flood Control Act (PL 86-645), as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can provide the full range of technical services and planning guidance that is needed to support effective flood plain management. General technical assistance efforts under this program includes determining: site-specific data on obstructions to flood flows, flood formation, and timing; flood depths, stages or floodwater velocities; the extent, duration, and frequency of flooding; information on natural and cultural flood plain resources; and flood loss potentials before and after the use of flood plain management measures. Types of studies have been conducted under the FPMS program include: flood plain delineation/hazard, dam failure analyses, hurricane evacuation, flood warning, floodway, flood damage reduction, storm water management, flood proofing, and inventories of flood prone structures.

Cost Sharing Requirements.  Efforts under this program are generally conducted at 100 percent Federal expense, except in those instances where the requestor is another Federal agency or a private party.  In those cases the work is conducted on a 100 percent cost recovery basis.

Study Process.  The process for FPMS assistance begins after a state, regional, local government, or Native American Indian tribe requests U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assistance under the program.  When funding is available, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will work with the requesting organization to develop a scope of work and assemble the appropriate study team for the effort being requested.  At their option, the requesting organization may provide voluntary contributions toward the requested services to expand the scope or accelerate the provision of those services.  All requestors are requested to furnish available field survey data, maps, historical flood information, etc., to help reduce the cost of services.

How to Request Assistance 

Requests for assistance should be in the form of a letter describing the location and nature of the problem and requesting assistance under a continuing authorities program. The request should be submitted by a state or local government agency, or eligible Native American Indian tribe to Colonel Brandon Bowman, Jacksonville District Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, 701 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32206. Once you have submitted your request, please contact DLL-CESAJ-SPP_Requests@usace.army.mil. For additional inquires please email DLL-CESAJ-SPP_Requests@usace.army.mil or contact Rick Butler at 904-412-3465.

Sample Request Letter for Flood Plain Management Services Assistance

Silver Jackets are Interagency Teams that Facilitate Collaborative Solutions to State, Territory, or Tribe Flood Risk Priorities

State-, Territory-, or Tribe-led Silver Jackets teams exist in all states and several territories, bringing together multiple state, federal, and sometimes local agencies and Tribes to learn from one another and work together to reduce risk from floods and sometimes other natural hazards. Silver Jackets teams conduct diverse collaborative efforts. Team focal areas vary as state priorities vary. By applying their shared knowledge, the teams enhance preparedness, mitigation, and response and recovery efforts when such events do occur. Resources for team activities are provided through the individual programs of each participating agency, within the constraints of available budgets and authorities.

No single agency has all the answers. Leveraging the expertise, programs and perspectives of multiple agencies can result in more comprehensive and cohesive solutions. Learn more here.