In the past several years, severe flooding problems have drastically affected many parts of the country. In response, the Federal government has been working to improve its floodplain management -- both to reduce the loss of life and property caused by floods, and to restore the natural resource and functions of floodplains. Part of improving floodplain management has involved a shift in focus. Traditional floodplain management often has stressed structural alterations to the natural environment as the best means of protecting property and human lives. In recent years, however, there has been a shift away from this tradition, toward considering non-structural alternatives as effective floodplain management strategies. The key characteristic of a non-structural approach is that it modifies susceptibility to flooding, as opposed to simply attempting to control flooding through structural methods such as dams, levees and channels. However, non-structural approaches may include use of some structural elements. The goal of this handbook is to provide information to local cooperators and other interested parties about Federal programs that support a non-structural approach to floodplain management. Included are broad strategies and specific Federal programs that could form the basis for a non-structural response to a flood event. Programs are grouped by three primary non- structural strategies: (1) Acquisition, relocation, elevation, and floodproofing of existing structures. (2) Rural land easements and acquisitions; and (3) Restoration of wetlands Individual programs may provide assistance for more than one strategy.