Land use change on U.S. floodplain buyout sites, 1990-2000

Abstract

Purpose – The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides guidelines for the management of open space created through property acquisition (buyouts); however, land use decisions are primarily left to local governments manifesting in a variety of uses. The purpose of this paper is to provide a land use assessment of buyout sites, to describe the changes in those uses that have occurred during a ten-year period from 1990 to 2000, and to offer an assessment of management approaches employed across these sites. Design/methodology/approach – Using a mixed-methods approach consisting of a land use classification survey and a semi-structured questionnaire of floodplain managers, this study explores the land use trends at buyout sites, diverse approaches local governments take in managing the open spaces created through floodplain buyout programs, and the successes and challenges communities face in open space management. Findings – Results indicate strong support from floodplain managers for property acquisition and several cases emerged where communities put their newly acquired public land to creative uses. However, the opportunity to leverage these properties for greater public values is largely being missed, primarily because of limited funding. Practical implications – The analysis indicates strong support among floodplain managers for the buyout approach; however, additional resource-sharing and funding opportunities are needed to increase the utility of buyout properties. Originality/value – By evaluating the long-term management strategies floodplain managers utilize on buyout sites, this study adds to an underrepresented area of scholarship and is of value to practitioners, government officials, and academics.

Managed retreat through voluntary buyouts of flood-prone properties

“…Bought-out properties reflect a range of different structure and residency types ( Fig. 3D), but most are single-family structures (18,881 properties) and primary residences (14,248). The next most common structure types include manufactured homes (i.e., mobile homes; 1837 properties), vacant land (1183), and multifamily homes (953).…”

“…programs of managed retreat to reduce natural hazard risk are among the longest-running programs globally (12). The predominant means of government-sponsored retreat in the United States has been through voluntary buyouts of flood-prone properties (13,14). Government acquisition of flood-prone properties has generally been funded by federal agencies, especially the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and administered by state or local governments ( Fig.…”

Managed Retreat in the United States

“…26 Falling real estate prices in at-risk areas 27,28 force some homeowners to sell at a financial loss, risk living through another storm, or abandon their homes. 25 Abandoned properties can become eyesores for which the local government has to pay to maintain, 26,29 and empty lots can destroy the sense of community. Loss of property tax revenue can make it more difficult for a town to pay for public services or other adaptations.…”

“…9,10,31,60 Too often, however, land where retreat occurs has not been used productively and remains derelict. 29 One study found that derelict lots were more common in a low-income minority neighborhood while open spaces in a white affluent neighborhood became parks or gardens. 87 Knowing how land is used would help evaluate and inform management approaches (e.g., how can small parcels be used beneficially?)…”

“…Memorials, for example, are an important step in disaster recovery that are rarely used in the US. 29,98 One example of how commemoration and cultural heritage are tied to retreat is Portsmouth, North Carolina. Repeated storms drove the last Portsmouth residents to retreat in 1971, and the village became part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, with a few buildings preserved as a museum.…”