What is a BCA?

A tool used to prove to FEMA that the benefits of a project outweigh the costs.A Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) of 1.0 or higher is required

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Go to this website (Go to this website (http://www.fema.gov/benefit-cost-analysis) to ) to download the free BCA Program. “Benefit Cost Toolkit Version download the free BCA Program. “Benefit Cost Toolkit Version

5.0” is the most up to date version at this time. 5.0” is the most up to date version at this time.

Other Helpful Links:

BCA Reference Guide (June 2009) http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1396550224865-548160e5f22dabb793d8a045fa89f5fe/bca_reference_guide_508_final.pdf

Supplement to the BCA Reference Guide (June 2011) http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1396549910018-c9a089b8a8dfdcf760edcea2ff55ca56/bca_guide_supplement__508_final.pdf

BCA Website

How do you Create a BCA?

Think of possible damages that will be avoided by the execution of the proposed project (these are the benefits). Be creative with this; find a way to show that dollars will be saved by the completion of this project.

Categories of Possible Proof of Avoidable Damages:

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Use data of PAST costs from flood events:

•NFIP insurance claims•Town pay stubs/time sheets•Receipts for work & materials•Detour information if road closed•Cost of emergency measures•Past Project Worksheets (PWs)

Estimate FUTURE costs of flood events:

•Show pre-project flood elevation•Use FEMA Flood Insurance Studies (FIS)•Use building elevation•Use replacement value of structures•Show post-project reduced flood elevation & saved costs

What Projects Need a BCA?

Planning & 5% Initiatives DO NOT need a BCA

All other projects need a BCA, unless the project can prove cost effectiveness another way (as shown on the next few slides).

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Property BuyoutsProperty Buyouts

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To Prove Cost Effectiveness:

•BCAOR

•Substantial Damage + in Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)

OR•In SFHA + Project Cost <$276,000

Lyndonville: before

elevation

during elevation:

ElevationElevation

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Final elevated structure: (Lowest floor is only for

parking or storage.)

To Prove Cost Effectiveness:

•BCAOR

•In SFHA + Project Cost <$175,000

Flood Proofing Flood Proofing To Prove Cost Effectiveness:

•BCA Only

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Wet Flood Proofing

Dry Flood Proofing

Public Infrastructure Public Infrastructure

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To Prove Cost Effectiveness:

•BCA Only

Warren: culvert upgrade

Common concrete box culvert upgrade

Moretown: road elevation & ditch

GeneratorsGenerators

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To Prove Cost Effectiveness:

•BCA Only

Fire Station

Police Station

Emergency Shelter

Wastewater Treatment Facility

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Examples of Documentation Used in Previous Examples of Documentation Used in Previous BCAsBCAs

Type of Project Examples of Documentation for Possible Benefits/Proof of Avoidable Damages

Buyout/Elevation/Flood Proofing

Cost of previous repairs/damages from flooding , Elevation Certificate, insurance claims, receipts for work, materials and volunteer hours associated with repairing flood damage, Engineers assessment of damage to building, Engineers mitigation proposal and estimate of reduced flood water elevations in building, services provided by facility (if it is a commercial building), effects of flood events on business

Public Infrastructure Detour information for road closure due to flooding, cost of emergency measures taken in response to flooding, Past Project Worksheets (PWs) for that location, Town pay stubs/time sheets for work related to damages from past flooding, traffic count on road for proposed mitigation project, Official town statement of materials, labor, or equipment used for work related to damages from past flooding

Generator Power outage history at critical facility, Cost of repairs/clean-up at WWTF when power is lost, Cost of running an emergency shelter for 1 day, Emergency medical services provided by critical facility, Population served by critical facility