The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE; Corps) is the federal agency responsible for planning and building much of the nation’s flood management infrastructure. Historically, USACE and Congress (which authorizes and appropriates funding for flood risk management projects) have been criticized for using an economic evaluation system that favors projects in wealthier areas, where property values are higher. This appears to be changing. We asked Dr. Tessa Beach, chief of planning and environmental services for the San Francisco District, to tell us more about the resources available for historically underserved communities.

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• Public Policy Institute of California: Managing Water and Farmland Transitions in the San Joaquin Valley