Linda Shi: flood-impacted communities need better buyout programs

Linda Shi’s recent article “Reconciliation or Restoration? The Ecological Futures of Floodplain Buyout Sites,” published July 2025 in Frontiers in Climate, asks big questions about buyout of flood impacted communities: “What happens to floodplain buyout sites after demolition of structures? Does ecological restoration or reconciliation of the floodplain occur? By what criteria should we assess what is on the site? Under what conditions do government programs promote more ecologically dynamic land management?”

The study assessed four major buyout programs in order to understand how these sites are being managed post-buyout, and found that “many sites are ‘in waiting’ — poised for stewardship but needing clearer governance, goals, and resources,” Linda posted on LinkedIn.

The study authors penned an op-ed in Next City advocating for better buyout programs, arguing that “the loss of federal buyout assistance is a wake-up call to create state and local programs that protect communities living with chronic environmental risk.” 

Learn more in the open-access paper and op-ed.