NEW North Carolina’s Community Rating System Explorer application

Preserving open space in the floodplain benefits our community. Photo Credit: Jesse Mowles-Aring

Preserving open space in the floodplain benefits our community. Photo Credit: Jesse Mowles-Aring

North Carolina’s Community Rating System Explorer (CRS Explorer) assists a community by combining local data with high level mapping tools and calculations to help the community utilize the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS).

The CRS Explorer allows planners to prioritize nature-based solutions like open space preservation to reduce their community’s flood risk.  The CRS Explorer identifies open space areas that are eligible for credits in the National Flood Insurance Program’s CRS.  The current version provides three primary functions:

  1. Determine areas that currently qualify for Open Space Preservation (OSP) credit and related activities.
  2. Calculate how many OSP credits are available so planners can consider potential NFIP savings.
  3. Provide exportable maps and information to support the credit application process as well as community outreach.

* An expansion of the CRS Explorer (out Summer 2016) will further allow planners to interactively explore and filter individual parcels to identify and prioritize future open space preservation.

This mapping tool was built because the Conservancy listened to the needs of the community and partners.  Read more about the project’s beginning here.

Working with partners on Coastal Resilience. Photo Credit: Kate Murray, TNC


Working with partners on Coastal Resilience. Photo Credit: Kate Murray, TNC

Lessons Learned

When engaging new stakeholders, do your homework first.  Identify who needs to be at the table based on the goals of your project.  Next, make sure to have an understanding of the current trends and topics related to the people you are engaging.  Being able to have a conversation about a topic they are interested in can go a long way.

But don’t expect to talk too much!  Show up ready to listen to your stakeholders.  Listen for ideas, listen for the outcomes they need, listen for who else should be involved.  Be ready to engage other audiences based on the information received.

When translating a project workflow into a tangible application, expect a lot of iterations of the app and be ready to bring your stakeholders along for the ride.  Since they are the end user(s) we need their feedback to assure the app is user friendly, and delivers the desired result effectively.

Show your stakeholders that you value their time and involvement by keeping them fed.  If possible, include a meal, that will make their day easier, and more enjoyable.  Plus, they will be more likely to provide quality feedback when they feel full, and fully appreciated!

For more information on Coastal Resilience in North Carolina, visit the NC project area page and the North Carolina mapping portal.