Bill Overview
Title: VA Flood Preparedness Act
Description: This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make contributions to local authorities to mitigate the risk of flooding on local property adjacent to VA medical facilities.
Sponsors: Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1]
Target Audience
Population: People living near VA medical facilities
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The bill is focused on mitigating flooding risk, primarily impacting properties near VA medical facilities.
- Floods tend to impact entire communities, so areas surrounding VA facilities will benefit from improved flood management.
- The VA medical facilities are used by veterans, thus enhancing their wellbeing during flood situations.
Reasoning
- The bill targets a population living near VA medical facilities, which can include diverse groups such as veterans, their families, VA staff, and local residents nearby.
- Since this is a large-scale infrastructure and environmental improvement policy, its impact might spread to community resilience against floods, thereby indirectly benefitting non-veteran residents.
- In terms of costs, flood mitigation efforts like levees, drainage improvements, and infrastructure fortification can vary in expense; thus, prioritizing high-risk and densely populated areas near the facilities will be crucial.
- The budget is substantial but must be spread across various facilities nationwide, hence projects must be efficiently managed to maximize impact.
- It's feasible that well-being improvements will not only result from reduced flood risks but also from enhanced community ties and reduced anxiety over future flood events.
Simulated Interviews
Retired Vietnam Veteran (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm grateful for any efforts to protect us from the floods. It's been a long-standing issue here in New Orleans.
- This policy seems like a good step forward, especially for older veterans like me who worry about what might come with the next storm.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
VA Nurse (Houston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's great that our community might be protected by this policy, especially since I'm responsible for getting to the VA during emergencies.
- Flooding also affects my commute and the safety of my family, so this can really help improve our quality of life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Miami, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reducing flood risk is crucial for my business's survival. I've sustained damage costs in the past.
- I hope the policy can include our street's drainage system improvement, as it often gets ignored.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
VA Facility Maintenance Staff (Little Rock, AR)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Flooding hasn't personally affected me much yet, but I can see how it affects others in the community.
- If it means a safer environment, I'm all for it. I think it's a smart move.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Veteran Affairs Social Worker (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Seeing the hardships some of the veterans face due to floods is heart-wrenching.
- This act could dramatically reduce stress and logistical problems for both veterans and support staff.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Local Teacher (Cheyenne, WY)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad for any support veterans and their families can get.
- My neighborhood hasn't been hit by floods, but knowing there's a plan helps everyone feel secure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Veteran Affairs Administrative Officer (Norfolk, VA)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Mitigating flood risk is a significant operational priority for us. It's good to see national support, which is long overdue.
- I believe this will enhance readiness and safety across multiple levels.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 5 |
Real Estate Agent (San Diego, CA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act could stabilize the value in areas previously overlooked due to flood concerns.
- Homeowners will feel more secure, which helps the market.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Veteran (Fayetteville, NC)
Age: 42 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Flood risks add an unnecessary anxiety layer to the lives of many veterans like me who are already struggling.
- This sounds like a promising step to ease everyday dangers that are often overlooked.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Community Organizer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Focusing preventative efforts on vulnerable areas can greatly relieve community tensions.
- This policy can potentially aid the larger fight against housing instability which is partly influenced by flood issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $100000000 (Low: $75000000, High: $125000000)
Year 2: $102000000 (Low: $76500000, High: $127500000)
Year 3: $104040000 (Low: $78030000, High: $130050000)
Year 5: $108243216 (Low: $81059820, High: $135304020)
Year 10: $118929418 (Low: $89057063, High: $148661772)
Year 100: $190102106 (Low: $142576579, High: $238627632)
Key Considerations
- The policy ensures the protection of critical VA infrastructure, potentially reducing future financial liabilities for flood damages.
- The scale and effectiveness of flood mitigation methods can vary based on geographies and existing infrastructural challenges.
- The initiative could serve as a model for similar federal engagements with other public institutions facing climate risks.