Question

National flood insurance is available to owners of property located in communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). To participate, communities must

a) Adopt and enforce community floodplain management ordinances.
b) Adopt and enforce a special NFIP tax.
c) Be located within 100 miles of a major body of water.
d) Be located in an area that has a 10 percent or greater likelihood of flooding in any given year.

Answer 1

Communities must adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. This does not involve implementing a special tax or location-based requirements but focuses on responsible management of flood-prone areas. Option A is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

To participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), communities must adopt and enforce community floodplain management ordinances. The purpose is to reduce the risk and impact of flooding on private and public structures. These ordinances typically include requirements that new buildings be constructed above a certain flood level, the use of flood-resistant materials, and avoidance of flood-prone areas wherever possible.

Communities do not have to adopt a special NFIP tax, nor is there a requirement to be located within a specific distance from a major body of water or in an area with a minimum likelihood of flooding. Instead, the emphasis is on responsible floodplain management.

The NFIP is an example of a government program designed to manage and mitigate flood risk, similar to other programs that support neighborhood clean-up or offer tax incentives for property maintenance. Additionally, communities might need to consider adaptation strategies such as the creation or conservation of wetlands, particularly in areas with low elevations near oceans that are vulnerable to sea-level rise and storm surges.