I, Tony Knowles, Governor of the State of Alaska, make the following findings concerning the siting and construction of state-owned, and state-financed construction projects:

1. It is in the state's best interest to protect the state's capital investments by ensuring that future state-owned, and state-financed, construction projects are sited and constructed in a manner that reduces the potential for flood and erosion damage. The department of Community and Regional Affairs (DCRA) is the appropriate agency to be tasked with coordinating this effort.

2. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is responsible for the National Flood Insurance Program and through regulations has developed flood plain management criteria for flood-prone, mudflow-prone, and flood-related erosion-prone area. It is in the state's best interest to site and construct state-owned and state-financed projects using the portions of those regulations pertaining to construction standards as a guide.

Under the authority of Article II, Section 1 of the Alaska Constitution and AS 26.23.150, I, Tony Knowles, Governor of the State of Alaska, hereby order:

1. To maximum extent possible, consistent with existing law, all state agencies with construction authority, or that administer grants, loans, or disaster assistance for construction, shall use pertinent portions of the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program regulations, 44 CFR Part 60, as a guide for such construction activities, and shall encourage a broad and united effort to lessen the risk of flood and erosion losses in connection with state lands and installation and state-financed or supported improvements. Specifically, state agencies directly responsible for building structure construction, and other development including grading, paving,
and excavation, shall to the maximum extent possible, preclude the uneconomic, hazardous, or unnecessary use of documented flood plains and erosion areas in connection with such development.

2. DCRA is the state coordinating agency for the National Flood Insurance Program and shall assist state agencies in complying with this order.

3. State agencies responsible for the construction of, or the administration of grant or loan programs involving the construction of buildings, structures, roads, or other facilities shall consider the potential of flood and erosion hazards. Consideration shall be given to setbacks, flood proofing, building elevation, and erosion control measures in flood and erosion-prone areas.

4. State agencies responsible for the leasing or disposal of lands or properties shall, to the extent the action is economically feasible, evaluate flood and erosion hazards in connection with lands or properties proposed for disposal and, in order to minimize future state expenditures for protection and disaster relief, shall consider including within all new subdivision proposals and other proposed developments greater than 50 lots or 5 acres, whichever is the lesser, base (100) year flood elevation data, or information on approximate flood risks.

5. State agencies responsible for programs that affect land use planning, including state permit programs, shall consistent with existing statutory and regulatory requirements, take flood and erosion hazards into account when evaluating plans and permits and shall encourage land use approximate to the degree of hazard involved.

7. Administrative Order No. 46 dated January 24, 1978, is hereby revoked.

This order takes effect immediately.

Dated at Juneau, Alaska this 8 day of June, 1998.

S/S Tony Knowles     
Tony Knowles         
Governor             

State of Alaska Erosion Management Policy