The National Society of Professional Engineers urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to consider NSPE’s recently approved Position Statement 1771: FEMA Levee Certification. Specifically, NSPE respectfully requests that FEMA revise its levee certification program requirement to shift the responsibility and liability to the parties in the best position to assume that responsibility and liability – the levee boards, owners, and operators.
In a letter to FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate and Army Corps of Engineers Chief Engineer Lt. General Thomas P. Bostick, P.E., NSPE President Harve Hnatiuk, P.E., F.NSPE writes, “Under the FEMA program, a PE is in many instances being asked to certify levees without the protection of professional liability insurance or other liability protections. Many qualified PEs have been advised by their professional liability insurance carriers that they will lose professional liability insurance coverage or have their premiums substantially increased if their practice includes levee certification under the current FEMA program. As a result, many qualified PEs no longer offer services under the FEMA program because it would leave them and their firms vulnerable to potential lawsuits and related costs.”
For more information or questions concerning this, please contact Arielle Eiser, Manager of Government Relations at aeiser@nspe.org.
Read President Hnatiuk’s letter to FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate and Army Corps of Engineers Chief Engineer Lt. General Thomas P. Bostick, P.E.
The National Society of Professional Engineers is the national society of licensed professional engineers from all disciplines that promotes the ethical and competent practice of engineering, advocates licensure, and enhances the image and well-being of its members. Founded in 1934, NSPE serves more than 32,000 members and the public through 53 state and territorial societies and just over 400 chapters. For more information, please visit www.nspe.org.