OFP supports federal legislation to keep flood insurance about flood insurance
Oregonians for Floodplain Protection (OFP) is proud to stand with Oregon Congressman Cliff Bentz in his effort to keep the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) focused on protecting Oregonian’s property and lives from flood risk. According to Congressman Bentz, The National Flood Insurance Program Clarification Act of 2026 “stops application of the Endangered Species Act in a way Congress never intended. Flood insurance exists to protect human life and property. It should not be used as a vehicle to impose sweeping land-use mandates on local communities.”
OFP members support H. R. 7862:
“For more than a decade, Oregon communities have faced uncertainty about the future of flood insurance and development in their communities. The National Flood Insurance Program Clarification Act of 2026 restores the careful balance of responsible development, land management, and flood protection that was intended by the National Flood Insurance Program. We thank Representative Bentz for his leadership in introducing this critical legislation.”
– Jeremy Rogers, OFP Board President
“The Oregon Farm Bureau applauds the introduction of H.R. 7862 – the National Flood Insurance Program Clarification Act – and urges its swift adoption. This commonsense legislation reaffirms the intent of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as a critical safety net in response to unpredictable and uncommon flooding events. Restoring the core mission of NFIP to protection and recovery balances important aquatic habitat protections with responsible natural resource land management and development practices. We appreciate the leadership of Congressman Cliff Bentz in bringing this legislation forward.”
– Angela Bailey, Oregon Farm Bureau President
“Rep. Bentz’s bill is a welcome addition to the fight for ensuring congressional intent is followed by the courts. This bill does not strip away environmental protections already required under the ESA, but it does return the NFIP to what it was designed to be—flood insurance. The City of Warrenton is grateful to Rep. Bentz’s leadership in this matter and asks all members of Congress to join in support of this important legislation.”
– Warrenton Mayor Henry Balensifer
“Communities like ours rely on the National Flood Insurance Program to protect homes, support responsible land use, and help people recover after disasters. Providing greater clarity and consistency in how the program is applied will help local governments plan effectively while continuing to protect people, property, and natural resources.”
-Columbia County Commissioner Margaret Magruder
“The City of Coos Bay strongly supports H.R. 7862. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) exists to protect people and property from flood risk, and this legislation ensures it stays focused on that mission. Layering ESA Section 7 consultation requirements onto the NFIP creates uncertainty and burdens for coastal communities like ours. H.R. 7862 restores the program’s core purpose, alleviates the City from having to expend additional resources on floodplain management for ESA-integration, and gives our residents the certainty they deserve.”
– City of Coos Bay
“The Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce has long been deeply concerned by FEMA’s application of the ESA to floodplain management and insurance, which will have widespread and devastating consequences to our coastal economies and way of life. We hold high hopes that Congressman’s Bentz’s proposed legislation to withdraw existing biological opinions will provide relief and some level of predictability to floodplain management and restore sovereignty over zoning and land use to local oversight, where it belongs.”
– Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director David Reid
Text of Congressman Bentz’s bill is available here.
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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.