Use the table to answer the question.

Question

A town is considering adopting a flood mitigation strategy. The results of its study are shown in the table below.

Criteria Building Flood Diversion Channels Elevating Buildings in the Flood Plain
Time required 3 years 5 years
Initial cost $20 million $55 million
Annual maintenance costs $10,000 $1,000
Number of residents displaced 250 40
Which of the following statements provides the best analysis of the data?

(1 point)
Responses

The town should elevate buildings in the flood plain because the maintenance costs are lower.
The town should elevate buildings in the flood plain because the maintenance costs are lower.

The town should elevate buildings in the flood plain because the work will be completed sooner.
The town should elevate buildings in the flood plain because the work will be completed sooner.

The town should build the diversion channels because this option will displace fewer people.
The town should build the diversion channels because this option will displace fewer people.

The town should build the diversion channels because this option is more cost efficient.

Answer 1

To analyze the data, we can consider the various criteria for each flood mitigation strategy:

1. Time Required:

   • Building Flood Diversion Channels: 3 years
   • Elevating Buildings in the Flood Plain: 5 years

   Here, the diversion channels are completed sooner.

2. Initial Cost:

   • Building Flood Diversion Channels: $20 million
   • Elevating Buildings in the Flood Plain: $55 million

   The diversion channels are cheaper to implement initially.

3. Annual Maintenance Costs:

   • Building Flood Diversion Channels: $10,000
   • Elevating Buildings in the Flood Plain: $1,000

   Elevating buildings has lower annual maintenance costs.

4. Number of Residents Displaced:

   • Building Flood Diversion Channels: 250
   • Elevating Buildings in the Flood Plain: 40

   Elevating buildings displaces fewer residents.

Given these aspects, the best statement that provides an objective analysis based on the data is:

The town should build the diversion channels because this option will displace fewer people.

This statement is more accurate as the building of diversion channels displaces more residents than elevating buildings, making this option less favorable in terms of social impact.

Thus, it is more appropriate to suggest the town should elevate buildings in the flood plain as it has lower maintenance costs, less displacement, but it depends on what criteria the town prioritizes more; cost, time efficiency, or resident impact.

Final Analysis: The town should elevate buildings in the flood plain because it displaces fewer residents, though it has higher initial costs.