After long wait, Naples Cay residents might soon be eligible for federal flood insurance
Oct 2, 2008
Naples Daily News–October 2, 2008
By Staff reports
NAPLES — The U.S. Senate passed legislation Monday correcting a federal mapping error that has prevented Naples Cay residents from participating in the Federal Flood Insurance Program. The House passed similar legislation in June. The bill now goes to President Bush for his signature.
Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fort Myers, introduced the legislation in the House, and praised its passage, which corrects a simple mapping error in the Coastal Barrier Resources System developed several years ago by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
The mapping error placed more than 600 residents of Naples Cay under an Otherwise Protected Area designation, thereby preventing them from participating in the Federal Flood Insurance Program. Residents estimate that this error has cost them between $500,000 and $700,000 annually for flood insurance. Last year, residents paid $599,000 in insurance costs.
“I’m extremely pleased that the Senate has followed the House’s action and passed this legislation, and I thank Senator Nelson and Senator Martinez for their hard work in pushing for its passage,” Mack said in a news release Wednesday. “After working on this issue for several years, the 600 residents of Naples Cay will finally be able to participate in the Federal Flood Insurance Program like other coastal homeowners. This is a great example of Congress doing the right thing to correct a simple mistake, and I urge the President to sign this bill into law.”