1. Purpose.
This Order establishes policy and assigns responsibility within the General Services Administration (GSA) concerning GSA actions that may affect floodplains by issuing the attached PBS Floodplain Management Desk Guide, November 2023.
2. Background.
Flooding can severely damage federally owned and leased structures and facilities, resulting in costs and impacts to agency mission and continuity of operations. Floodplain compliance is a component of responsible property management that can reduce the risk of property loss and protect federal agency resources. E.O. 11988, “Floodplain Management” (May 24, 1977), and E.O. 13690, “Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input” (January 30, 2015), require federal agencies to take action to reduce the risk of flood loss and to avoid, to the extent possible, the long- and short-term adverse impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of floodplains and the direct or indirect support of floodplain development wherever there is a practicable alternative.
3. Cancellation.
This Order cancels PBS 1095.8, Floodplain Management and the companion PBS Desk Guide for Floodplain Management issued in September 2019.
4. Revision.
Reestablish requirements and management processes to comply with E.O. 14030, “Climate Related Financial Risk” (May 20, 2021), which reinstates E.O. 13690 (January 30, 2015) that was revoked by E.O. 13807, “Establishing Discipline and Accountability in the Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure Projects” (August 15, 2017). This revision reestablishes the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) for federally funded projects.
U.S. General Services Administration