Community Rating System

About the Project

The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary program offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Under the CRS, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reward community actions that meet the three goals of the CRS, which are to: (1) reduce flood damage to insurable property; (2) strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP; and (3) encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management. You can learn more about the CRS here.

In 2014, the Town received a Coastal Community Resilience Grant from the EOEEA’s Office of Coastal Zone Management to prepare a CRS application and a recommendations report for future floodplain management actions creditable under the CRS. Additionally, in partnership with the staff from the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and Woods Hole Sea Grant, a CRS application template and other transferable outreach materials were created for other Cape Cod communities to reduce the effort required to participate in the CRS program.

As part of the effort to better understand and manage our changing floodplains, staff from the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and Woods Hole Sea Grant created an online interactive map analyzing existing and potential flood risk for the Town of Barnstable. This research was conducted in support of the CRS application, as well as to provide the Town of Barnstable with a greater understanding of where to target future adaptation planning efforts in light of potential climate change impacts. You can view the map here.

Project Goals

A number of activities already in place or under consideration by the Town go beyond the minimum standards of the NFIP for local floodplain management. In recognition of these efforts and the potential benefits of CRS participation, coupled with recently updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps and legislative reforms to the NFIP (which will result in higher flood insurance premiums for many), the Town of Barnstable is seeking to join the CRS.

The activities that gain a community CRS credits are intended to increase protection to life and property during a flood; reduce and avoid flood damage to property; further public health, safety, and welfare; minimize damage and disruption to infrastructure and critical facilities; and preserve and restore the natural functions and resources of floodplains and coastal areas. This project provides a unique opportunity to result in an immediate net cost savings to taxpayers, along with protecting life, property, and natural, cultural and economic resources located vulnerable coastal zones.

FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Barnstable

· Interactive Flood Zone Map

· Flood Insurance Rate Maps

Expanded Floodplains for Barnstable

· Mapping Coastal MA – Expanded Floodplains

Project Files

· Floodplain Management / Storm Smart Recommendations Report

· CRS Activity Guide for Cape Cod

· CRS Quick Check Cape Cod Application Template .xlsx

Plans

· Town of Barnstable Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Resources for Coastal Property Owners