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 2

Go to this website ( to download the free BCA Program. “Benefit Cost Toolkit Version 5.0” is the most up to date version at this time. Other Helpful Links:  BCA Reference Guide (June 2009) e5f22dabb793d8a045fa89f5fe/bca_reference_guide_508_final.pdf  Supplement to the BCA Reference Guide (June 2011) 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: 4 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). 5

Property Buyouts Land remains green open space in perpetuity Structures demolished Town takes ownership of property 6 To Prove Cost Effectiveness: BCA OR Substantial Damage + in Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) OR In SFHA + Project Cost <$276,000

Lyndonville: before elevation during elevation: Elevation 7 Final elevated structure: (Lowest floor is only for parking or storage.) To Prove Cost Effectiveness: BCA OR In SFHA + Project Cost <$175,000

Flood Proofing To Prove Cost Effectiveness: BCA Only 8 Wet Flood Proofing Dry Flood Proofing

Public Infrastructure 9 To Prove Cost Effectiveness: BCA Only Warren: culvert upgrade Common concrete box culvert upgrade Moretown: road elevation & ditch

Generators 10 To Prove Cost Effectiveness: BCA Only Fire Station Police Station Emergency Shelter Wastewater Treatment Facility

11 Examples of Documentation Used in Previous BCAs Type of ProjectExamples 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 InfrastructureDetour 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 GeneratorPower 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