Public officials facing development decisions with natural hazard implications rarely make decisions in the spotlight of the media or with focused attention from the broader public. Imagine that you are on the board of a local government. Imagine yourself having that same conversation in the context in which it most frequently arises when dealing with a particular property and a particular set of people with a particular plan.

• How would you balance the local need for jobs and a growing tax base against the need for flood protection?
• How would you answer your constituents' questions and concerns?
• How does that change the political calculus of floodplain development?