Oregonians for Floodplain Protection is a 501c4 registered in Washington DC. In early January 2025, OFP filed a lawsuit in the D.C. District Court challenging the Oregon Biological Opinion and PreImplementation Compliance Measures (PICMs) that FEMA has ordered Oregon cities and counties to implement as a condition of continued participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Flood Insurance & the Endangered Species Act (ESA). FEMA’s efforts to implement the ESA through the NFIP effectively make every local floodplain permit a federal action. ANY COUNTY WITH BOTH FLOODPLAINS AND ENDANGERED SPECIES OR HABITAT WILL BE AFFECTED.

The lawsuit contends that FEMA, the agency that runs the NFIP, violated several laws when it ordered more than 200 counties and cities in Oregon to begin implementing the PICMs – stringent new limitations on development in the floodplain. FEMA intends to remove Oregon communities that do not comply with the PICMs from the NFIP. That would mean property owners and tenants would be unable to purchase NFIP flood insurance, and Oregon communities would no longer qualify for certain federal assistance, including disaster aid.

See the filed complaint here.

Here is the latest on the lawsuit from attorney Molly Lawrence:

Oregon U.S. District Judge Michael Simon has scheduled a hearing on OFP’s preliminary injunction for May 29th, 2025 at 1:30 pm.