On Oct. 2, FEMA published its proposed Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS). This proposed language is a response to increased flood risk across the United States due to changing precipitation and sea level rise.

The FFRMS would require federal agencies to consider the effects of future flooding for federally funded actions involving new construction, substantial improvement, or repairs to substantial damage.

If finalized as proposed, the FEMA floodplain definition for federally funded projects would allow for consideration of both current and future flood risks to reduce the risk of flood loss and to minimize the impact of floods on human health, safety, and welfare. The revised guidelines also require the evaluation of natural features and nature-based approaches, where possible.

Brown and Caldwell’s Climate Change and Compliance & Permitting teams will follow this proposed standard, as well as SEC’s pending Climate Disclosure Rule. Read more about the disclosure rule in the latest edition of BC Insider.

In other environmental updates, we highlight the following in our Compliance News:

EPA Q3 enforcement roundup

In the third quarter of 2023, the EPA finalized 515 settlement agreements with companies small and large across the United States — a significant increase from Q2’s 260 penalties.

Additional safeguards to address hazardous air pollutants

The EPA proposed new requirements for sources to reclassify from major sources status to area source status under the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) program would ensure that industrial facilities that emit large amounts of HAPs can’t increase emissions when reclassifying.

BC Insider: Are you prepared for the SEC’s proposed Climate Disclosure Rules?

Did you miss the latest BC Insider? BC’s Lindsey Asbury, Dr. Carla De Las Casas, and Karri Ving share their insights on the SEC’s proposed Climate Disclosure Rules and how to prepare for them. Read it here.