PAO: Policy Activities » Briefing (November 2, 2011) Using
Science to Improve Flood Management On November 2, 2011, ESA
sponsored a congressional briefing: “Using Science to Improve
Flood Management.” Emily Stanley (University of Wisconsin,
Madison) and Jeff Opperman (The Nature Conservancy, Ohio Field
Office) addressed the function of floodplains and managing
rivers as systems and for multiple benefits. Emily Stanley’s
presentation focused on the work of rivers and the function of
floodplains. Industry, transportation, and recreation all
constitute work done by rivers. Less well known and valued is
the work done by floodplains, responsible for such desirable
services such as flood attenuation, fish production, improved
water quality and groundwater recharge. Stanley noted that aging
US levee and other infrastructure provide an opportunity to move
beyond structural flood control and take greater advantage of
the functions of floodplains. Jeff Opperman’s presentation
focused on the logic of managing rivers as