Dimensions Annual Review 2014 - 16

annual review
feature

Increasing Coastal Resilience
Through Updated Maps
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Project Helps Preserve Coastal Barriers
Enacted in 1982, The Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA)

Ten years ago, Dewberry participated in a digital

discourages development on coastal barriers by designating

pilot project authorized by Congress to refine and

3.1 million acres of vulnerable and undeveloped areas

modernize the CBRS maps. Dewberry is now supporting

along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts as part of the John H.

an interagency agreement between FEMA and the

Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS). Three

USFWS to perform a digital conversion project that

goals of the CBRA are to minimize federal expenditures,

includes updating the base maps, making adjustments

protect inland ecological habitats, and minimize loss

to the CBRS boundaries to address geomorphic changes,

of life that may occur when development takes place

and producing a USFWS-endorsed CBRS data layer for

in hurricane-prone coastal lands. The goals of the

inclusion on FEMA's FIRMs.

CBRS are achieved by disallowing federal incentives for
development, including federal flood insurance and

Improving Resilience for Communities

federal loans for any new development.

Fast forward to 2013 when, after Superstorm Sandy,

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Congress authorized updating the CBRS maps for eight

maintains the maps for the CBRS and helps to identify

affected states along the East Coast. Funded through the

which properties fall within the area. Although CBRS

Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, all existing

areas are also shown on the Federal Emergency

boundary issues will be addressed through data mining,

Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps

research, and mapping that will overhaul 44 percent of the

(FIRMs), a revision to CBRS boundaries, with limited

existing CBRS areas along the Atlantic shoreline. Dewberry

exceptions, requires that Congress first approve and enact

is supporting USFWS's modernization for 187 of the 632

a new map produced by the USFWS.

maps in states most affected by Superstorm Sandy.

New CBRS Maps Improve Clarity

the USFWS's ability to manage the CBRS while minimizing

Dewberry began working with the USFWS more than 15

future development and increasing coastal resilience. This

years ago to help clarify boundaries for landowners and

modernization will also enable all existing boundary issues

modernize the maps. The original maps created in the

negatively impacting landowners to be corrected.

Comprehensively modernizing the maps will enhance

1980s and 1990s were difficult to use and prone to error.

The first CBRS maps using outdated USGS
base maps were difficult to interpret and often
did not properly represent boundary intent.

16

Dimensions

®

On the modernized maps, the developed area originally
excluded from the CBRS (inside the red dashed line) was
revised as demonstrated by the green boundary line to
exclude existing development.
Dimensions Annual Review 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dimensions Annual Review 2014
