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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 160 / Monday, August 23, 2021 / Notices
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understanding of multi-frequency analysis, pluvial flooding, climate change, and the extent of flood risk outside of the SFHA. FEMA seeks to make larger improvements within our programs based on these developments and is now taking a holistic look at the CRS program to determine how the program can best meet FEMA and stakeholder needs.
As FEMA reviews the CRS program, several foundational assumptions underpin this programmatic review and improvement effort called CRS Next, including that the CRS program will continue to provide whole-community public benefits through a rewards-based program; the CRS program will continue to increase both the visibility of comprehensive flood risk and recognition of actions taken by a community; the CRS program will support and contribute to the financial soundness of the NFIP; the CRS program will be simpler for communities to join and participate in; the CRS program will be simpler for FEMA to explain to communities and also for communities to explain to their constituents; the CRS
program will clarify that it does not address structure-based risk reduction activities; and FEMA will avoid duplication between the approaches of the CRS program and other NFIP
Transformation efforts.
FEMA is also further reviewing the CRS program in light of recent Executive orders focused on equity, climate change, and environmental justice. FEMA recently sought input through another Request for Information pursuant to the processes required by Executive Orders 13985, 13990, and 14008 12 that require agencies to assess existing programs and policies to determine if: 1 Agency programs and policies perpetuate systemic barriers to opportunities and benefits for people of color and other underserved groups; 2
additional agency actions are required to bolster resilience to climate change;
and 3 agency programs, policies, and activities address the disproportionately high and adverse climate-related impacts on disadvantaged communities.13 The input received from that Request for Information will also be used to assist FEMAs initiative to improve and update the CRS program.
12 See Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, 86 FR 7009 Jan. 25, 2021;
Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis, 86
FR 7037 Jan. 25, 2021; and Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, 86 FR 7619 Feb. 1, 2021.
13 Request for Information on FEMA Programs, Regulations, and Policies, 86 FR 21325 April 22, 2021.

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Additional comments on equity related to CRS may also be provided through this RFI.
FEMA continually evaluates its programs, regulations, and policies, to identify opportunities to modify, streamline, expand, or repeal. FEMA
does so through legally mandated review requirements e.g., Unified Agenda reviews and reviews under section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and through other informal and long-established mechanisms e.g., use of Advisory Councils, feedback from FEMA field personnel, input from internal working groups, and outreach to regulated entities and the public.
This Federal Register notice supplements these existing extensive FEMA regulatory and program review efforts.
II. Request for Input A. Importance of Public Feedback FEMA is committed to obtaining public input to drive and focus FEMAs review of the CRS program. Because Federal regulations and policies have broad impacts on society in general, members of the public are likely to have useful information, data, and perspectives on the benefits and burdens of FEMAs existing programs, regulations, information collections, and policies. Accordingly, FEMA is seeking specific public feedback to facilitate the CRS program review and improvement efforts in the context of equity for all, including those in underserved communities. With the increasing risk of flooding and flood damage, in part because of climate change, it is essential that FEMA reevaluate programs to reduce unnecessary barriers to participation and effectiveness, to serve all communities, to increase equity, and to promote preparedness.
B. Maximizing the Value of Public Feedback This notice contains a list of questions, the answers to which will assist FEMA in identifying those aspects of the CRS program that may benefit from modification, streamlining, or expansion. FEMA encourages public comment on these questions and seeks any other data commenters believe are relevant to FEMAs efforts. The type of feedback that is most useful to the agency will identify specific CRS
program components that could benefit from reform; refer to specific barriers to participation; align the CRS program with the improved understanding of flood risk and flood risk reduction approaches gained since the initiation of the program; better incentivize
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communities and policyholders to become more resilient and lower their vulnerability to flood risk; offer actionable data; and specify viable alternatives to existing approaches that meet statutory obligations.
For example, feedback that contains specific information explaining a proposed change to the CRS program, how such a change could be implemented, and why said change would be beneficial i.e., the outcomes a proposed change would aim to effect is more useful to FEMA than generic feedback that omits these components.
FEMA is looking for new information and new data to support any proposed changes.
Commenters should consider these principles as they answer and respond to the questions in this notice.
Commenters should identify, with specificity, the CRS program policy or process at issue.
Commenters should explain, with as much detail as possible, why an aspect of the CRS program should be modified, streamlined, expanded, or repealed, and provide specific suggestions of ways the agency can better achieve its objectives.
Commenters should provide specific data that document the costs, burdens, and benefits of existing requirements to the extent they are available. Commenters might also address how FEMA can best obtain and consider accurate, objective information and data about the costs, burdens, and benefits of the CRS program and whether there are existing sources of data that FEMA can use to evaluate the effects of the CRS program over time.
Commenters should identify with specificity administrative burdens, CRS
program requirements, information collection burdens, waiting time, or unnecessary complexity that may impose unjustified barriers in general, or that may have adverse effects on equity for all, including those in underserved communities. This Request for Information and change effort aligns with broader FEMA efforts to solicit public comments on FEMA Programs, Regulations, and Policies. FEMA is seeking additional information specific to the CRS program and the CRS Next change effort on the topics of equity for all, including those in underserved communities. Commenters seeking to provide input on these areas should respond to the questions below in this Request for Information.
Commenters should identify with specificity small or large reforms that might be justified in light of the risks posed by climate change, including but not limited to sea-level rise, intense
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