On 1 May 2022, the Tuscarawas SWCD assumed the role of floodplain coordinator in Tuscarawas County. According to federal regulations, each county and/or city is to manage and enforce federal standards and regulations to protect the floodplain, so that the county and/or city will be eligible for federally-guaranteed flood insurance. If a county neglects or refuses to participate in such a program, their residents would no longer be able to purchase flood insurance. By participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the residents of Tuscarawas County benefit in being able to purchase flood insurance. They are also eligible for disaster relief if a flood should occur in their area. Protecting the floodplain in a community also makes that community more resilient to such flooding, and the recovery time from flooding is substantially reduced. Lastly, the community benefits from a healthier floodplain, in that wildlife can better thrive and the floodplain can help reduce flood surges created by man-made development.
