Naples Cay residents could soon be eligible for federal flood insurance
Jul 15, 2008
Naples Daily News--July 14, 2008
By NAPLES DAILY NEWS STAFF
U.S. Representatives passed legislation Monday, correcting a federal mapping error that has prevented Naples Cay residents from participating in the Federal Flood Insurance Program.
The Senate must now approve the bill.
Congressman Connie Mack, R-Fort Myers, introduced the legislation, 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.
“Through no fault of their own, over 600 Naples Cay residents have been forced to pay increased costs for their flood insurance because of a simple mapping error made by the federal government,” Mack said in a release Monday. “After several years of working on this issue, I’m pleased that we are one step closer to finally fixing this mistake. I urge the Senate to pass this legislation without delay so that the people of Naples Cay can participate in the Federal Flood Insurance Program like other coastal homeowners.”