July 18, 2007

On July 9, the Department of Environmental Quality presented a plaque to the city of Vassar, Tuscola County, on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in recognition of the city's participation in the National Flood Insurance Program's Community Rating System.

The CRS is a voluntary point based system that recognizes exemplary floodplain management by offering discounted flood insurance within participating communities. Each community is given a rank according to the extent of the community's floodplain management and flood hazard minimization.

The city of Vassar is the first community in Tuscola County to join the CRS. Through their efforts of floodplain management, they have entered the program with a rating of 6, the highest CRS rating in the state along with the city of Midland. As a result of these efforts, the residents in Vassar now receive a 20 percent discount on flood insurance, and more importantly, the city's hard work will help reduce future flood damages.

Any community participating in the National Flood Insurance Program that is in good standing is eligible to join the CRS. The community must participate in a Community Assistance Visit with the DEQ and then apply to the federal program.

To access more information on the National Flood Insurance Program's Community Rating System, please visit the following Web site: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/CRS/index.htm.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised July 18, 2007 by Pat Watson