Flood Zone, August 2007

Inside This Issue	August 2007

2007 Fall Conference	Certified Floodplain Manager Exam
Announced	AFMA Awards Nominations


	AFMA Fall Conference Best Western Inn of the Ozarks Eureka Springs, Arkansas September 23 - 26, 2007 This multi-day event provides a comprehensive review of sound floodplain management best practices, complete with expert presentations from federal agencies, other state floodplain management associations, and peers among the AFMA membership. Topics this year include: Corps of Engineers Levee Program Update Louisiana Floodplain Direction Since Katrina Impact of Elevation Certificates on Insurance Policies Reducing Flood Losses Through International Codes Zone A Determinations And much, much more! View the 2007 AFMA fall conference agenda. Click here to register for this event and for additional information about directions and hotel accommodations. Important Dates Register before September 7, 2007 and take advantage of the early-bird discount rate! Hotel reservation deadline: August 23, 2007 Conference registration deadline: Registrations must be postmarked by September 14, 2007.


	Sunday, September 23 Hickory Room Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center 1:30 – 4:30 pm The Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) program was created by AFMA to raise and maintain the professional standards of those individuals that manage floodplains, wetlands and watersheds within the state of Arkansas. The program is designed to certify competency with the basic principles of sound floodplain management as mandated and encouraged by the NFIP. To register for this exam, please contact CFM Program Manager Mike Borengasser. Download applications and forms. Review the certification exam study guide. View a complete list of CFMs in Arkansas. CFM^© is a registered trademark of the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM).

2007 AFMA Awards Luncheon
Tuesday, September 25
Maple Room
Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center
11:45 – 1:30 pm

Honoring communities, individuals, corporations and agencies that excel in the field of floodplain management, AFMA solicits nominations from among its membership for recognition at the annual awards luncheon. The program is a great way to promote flood safe communities and the professionals that make it happen.

Make your nominations now!

As the sun begins to set on another fabulous summer in the Natural State, we turn our attention to the annual fall conference. This year we are pleased to announce our gathering will take place in Eureka Springs on September 23-26.

We have a complete lineup of speakers ready to bring you up to speed on the latest floodplain management news and information. Our evening entertainment (included with your conference registration) is a casual dinner excursion aboard the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railroad. Come join us as we dine in style and survey the local floodplains by rail.

Registration for the 2007 AFMA fall conference is now open. Click here to make your reservations!

Among the highlights of this annual event, the AFMA awards luncheon honors communities, individuals, corporations and agencies that excel in the field of floodplain management. AFMA is now soliciting nominations from among its membership. You may nominate anyone involved in floodplain management. Including yourself. Click here to do just that.

I am pleased to announce that the new and improved AFMA web site is officially open for business. While we will continue to put the finishing touches on this project, there remain a number of features that will be implemented in the months ahead.

If you are a CFM and have created a free user account, you can now monitor the status of your certification. We are in the process of uploading continuing education credits (CECs) for each account and appreciate your patience if we have not addressed yours. Rest assured we will. It’s a data conversion you wouldn’t believe. If by the end of the year you are still missing CECs, please contact CFM Program Manager Mike Borengasser.

Be sure to check out the CFM Program section of the site. Whether you are renewing your certification or seeking to become a certified floodplain manager for the first time, this is your one-source location for applications and forms you need to complete the process.

And I would totally be remiss if I failed to mention the AFMA calendar! It has one of the most comprehensive listings of statewide, regional and national events you will find on any state association web site. And if you know of an event that is not listed, there is a place for you to submit the data so we can put it on the calendar.

There’s so much more to share and I hope that each of you will join floodplain managers from across the state as we gather in Eureka Springs. This promises to be an exciting event. 2007 has been somewhat of a quiet year for hazards in Arkansas, but we should never let down our guard. We should always be flood aware.

Conrad Battreal, PE, CFM
Email Conrad