There is a critical need for certainty to local real estate markets, property owners and surrounding communities, particularly in times of economic recovery. Yet, there have been nine stopgap extensions and five shutdowns of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) since September of 2008; just one of the multi-week lapses last year alone caused 47,000 home sales to be delayed or cancelled in already down real estate markets. 

Now is not the time to add uncertainty. For this reason, I have contacted and urged our lawmakers to reauthorize this vital program for a full five years, before September 30, 2011, when the program's authority is again set to expire.