Principles for Effective State Floodplain Management
In 2003, ASFPM published “Effective State Floodplain Management Programs.” This landmark undertaking, which introduced the 10 guiding principles of effective management, was the first attempt by any organization to identify and record standards by which states could measure their floodplain management efforts. These principles, which take into consideration the differences between states, local governments, and geographical regions, are not meant to be the sole model that state programs should follow to accomplish effective floodplain management. Rather, they establish a set of standards that state programs can use to gauge accomplishments in achieving their goals of effective floodplain management. It is our assertion that all effective state floodplain management programs contain, at a minimum, components that are consistent with the 10 guiding principles listed below:
Principle 1 - Description & Assessment Highlights
State floodplain management programs need strong, clear authority.
Principle 2 - Description & Assessment Highlights
State floodplain management programs should be comprehensive and integrated with other state functions.
Principle 3 - Description & Assessment Highlights
Flood hazards within the state must be identified and the flood risks assessed.
Principle 4 - Description & Assessment Highlights
Natural floodplain functions and resources throughout the state need to be respected.
Principle 5 - Description & Assessment Highlights
Development within the state must be guided away from flood-prone areas; adverse impacts of development inside and outside the floodplain must be minimized.
Principle 6 - Description & Assessment Highlights
Flood mitigation and recovery strategies should be in place throughout the state.
Principle 7 - Description & Assessment Highlights
The state’s people need to be informed about flood hazards and mitigation options.
Principle 8 - Description & Assessment Highlights
Training and technical assistance in floodplain management need to be available to the state’s communities.
Principle 9 - Description & Assessment Highlights
The levels of funding and staffing for floodplain management should meet the demand within each state.
Principle 10 - Description & Assessment Highlights
Evaluation of the effectiveness of state floodplain management programs is essential and successes should be documented.
This website only contains the guiding principle descriptions and assessment highlights. View the full 2025 State and Territory FPM Assessment report containing principle descriptions, assessment highlights, and all the summarized questions and responses.
Find the 2025 State and Territory FPM Assessment Appendix, Questionnaire, and Full Results in the Additional Materials section of the About page.