Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Obama Administration wants to discourage communities from building schools and police stations in floodplains. Christy George reports on a draft plan that could affect flood-prone Northwest towns.

For the past two winters, Chehalis, Washington and Vernonia, Oregon have faced severe flooding.

The White House draft policy revision would make it hard for federal agencies to locate or fund critical infrastructure in a floodplain.

Chehalis is trying to expand its levee system, which might be harder if the draft order takes effect.

But Columbia County Commissioner Tony Hyde says Vernonia wants to move all the essential downtown buildings that saw heavy water.

Tony Hyde: "We're talking about the food bank, we're talking about the senior center, we're talking about the health clinic, and the entire school system, all of which were inundated a couple of times."

Tony Hyde hopes if the draft executive order is adopted, it will help steer money to move those buildings.

Hyde's own Vernonia home was one of those flooded.