OFP Supports Federal Legislation To Keep Flood Insurance About Flood Insurance - 03/27/26
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