Peace Garden News

BISMARCK – U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and John Hoeven (R-ND) and Congressman Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) sent the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) a letter calling for the cancelation or delayed implementation of its new Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Bismarck.

The delegation noted the proposed map would disproportionately impact low-income residents, particularly in the southern part of the city, where the region’s primary homeless shelter and a permanent supportive housing facility are located. They also urged FEMA to give Bismarck time to complete its ongoing flood mitigation efforts before finalizing the map.

“Proceeding with the current timeline will have a negative impact on Bismarck’s most vulnerable populations,” wrote the delegation. “The City of Bismarck has made great strides in flood mitigation and has plans to complete additional flood mitigation improvements that will benefit all the people of the city, including those living in South Bismarck… Providing the city an opportunity to implement these flood mitigation improvements will give the community their best chance at enhanced flood protection without increased household costs, and we therefore urge you to allow these improvements to be made prior to the preliminary FIRM changes taking effect.”

Click here to read the letter.

Original source can be found here.