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Home My WebLink About2025-11-10-pw-study-session-supporting-documents KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS—BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: November 10,2025 TOPIC: Extension Letter RE: FEMA flood map revisions ACTION REQUESTED: Finalize comment letter and invite City of Kittitas to sign LEAD STAFF: Arden Thomas RECOMMENDATION: Finalize extension letter regarding FEMA flood map revisions and invite the City of Kittitas to sign the comment letter. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • At the March 25, 2024 Public Works Study Session,the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) directed staff to remain engaged in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) ongoing efforts to improve flood risk modeling and mapping, and to provide periodic updates regarding the status of this initiative. • The FEMA study area includes land located just east of Cle Elum and several streams on the eastern side of the Kittitas Valley—areas where County staff have concerns that current FEMA mapping does not adequately assess flood risk. • Draft maps have been shared with the County, and we were informed that comments on the draft maps may be submitted until November 24, 2025. ■ Proposed mapping in the Kittitas Valley area significantly expands the mapped floodplain area. • Kittitas County staff recommend a more in-depth technical review of the modeling and mapping work conducted in the Kittitas Valley study area and propose to utilize our on-call Hydraulic and Hydrologic (H&H) contractor to conduct this review. • Our H&H contractor has not yet been able to complete the review because the necessary technical documents have not been provided. • Staff recommend that the BOCC submit a formal comment letter requesting an extension of the review period, as FEMA has not provided the requested technical information. Page 1 of 4 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT BACKGROUND: Many of the mapped floodplains within Kittitas County were assessed for flood risk in the late 1970s using approximate mapping techniques. In 2024, FEMA proposed new flood studies for several streams on the east side of the Kittitas Valley, including within the City of Kittitas, and for an area east of Cle Elum. These studies will ultimately update the regulatory maps. FEMA conducted surveys in 2024 and recently shared draft versions of the proposed regulatory maps. On October 23, 2025, FEMA's mapping partner, STAR II, hosted a Flood Risk Review meeting to present the modeling work and mapping outcomes. During this meeting, we were informed that comments on the draft maps are due by November 24, 2025. DISCUSSION: During and following the October 23, 2025, Flood Risk Review meeting, County staff requested two technical reports and the associated hydraulic model to support a comprehensive technical review of FEMA's work. To date,these materials have not been received. It appears that FEMA's lack of response may be related to the ongoing federal government shutdown. Given the absence of the required technical information, staff recommend that the BOCC formally request an extension of the public comment period to ensure adequate time for technical evaluation once the data have been provided. Given the magnitude of the changes between the current effective maps and the proposed draft maps in the Kittitas Valley area, allowing adequate time for local review is essential to ensuring confidence in the final outcomes of this process. FISCAL IMPACTS: Staff time and consultant costs associated with the technical review will be funded through existing Flood Control Zone District resources. No budget amendment is anticipated to be necessary at this time. ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1: Draft Extension Letter Exhibit 2: Example maps illustrating changes between existing and proposed mapping in the Cle Elum and City of Kittitas vicinities. Page 2 of 4 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT EXHIBIT 1: Draft Extension Letter Page 3 of 4 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT .pES..rp r,y Kittitas County, Washington pS�t• L BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS District One District Two District Three ;tTY Cory Wright Laura Osiadacz Brett Wachsmith November 10,2025 Wendy L. Shaw, P.E. Risk Analysis Branch Chief Mitigation Division FEMA Region 10 RE: Extension Request for Flood Risk Review Comment Period Dear Ms. Shaw, On Thursday,October 23,2025, Kittitas County staff met with representatives from FEMA's mapping partner, STAR I1,for a Flood Risk Review(FRR) meeting. During this meeting,the STAR 11 team presented the results of newly restudied areas outside the City of Cie Elum and multiple creeks within the Kittitas Valley area,encompassing both unincorporated Kittitas County and the City of Cie Kittitas. At the FRR meeting, we were informed that comments from local jurisdictions on the presented materials are due by November 24,2025. To date,we have not received formal written notification regarding this comment period. During the meeting,and subsequently by email, Kittitas County requested additional technical documentation to facilitate our review and preparation of comments. Specifically,we requested two technical reports and the hydraulic model associated with the Kittitas Valley study area. We have not received the requested materials.This lack of response appears to be associated with the ongoing federal government shutdown. Given that the requested documentation has not been made available and is necessary to conduct a complete and technically sound review,Kittitas County respectfully requests an extension of the comment period to at least thirty(30)days following receipt of the requested materials. Kittitas County and the City of Kittitas support FEMA's stated objective of developing useful, credible data through a fair and transparent process that enables informed decision-making regarding flood risk in our communities. Your correspondence dated March 13,2024, regarding this study effort, emphasized FEMA's reliance on local "feedback,partnership,and knowledge."Consistent with that principle,our preliminary review of the materials presented indicates that the Kittitas Valley Creek study should include a model run utilizing unsteady modeling techniques, in addition to the quasi-unsteady model employed. We further recommend that predicted flooding extents be compared with observed flood extents from past events to ensure the study's validity. We also request the opportunity to review model outputs in addition to the mapped flood hazard areas presented.Regarding the restudied area in the vicinity of Cle Elum,we specifically request that the"Zone A" Special Flood Hazard Area located north of Airport Road be updated through a Floodplain Refinement process to more accurately align with existing topography. This requested revision is on FIRM Panel 53037C0685D,which is subject to revision under the new study. For all Kittitas County Courthouse 205 West 51Avenue,STE 108 -Ellensburg,WA 98926 (509)962-7508 FAX(509)962-7679 tvww co,klttdas waus restudied areas,we additionally request that any Letters of Map Revision(LOMRs) be revalidated. While these comments represent our preliminary feedback,we emphasize the importance of being afforded sufficient opportunity,prior to the initiation of the appeal period,to conduct a comprehensive technical review upon receipt of the requested documentation. We anticipate that we may have additional or more refined comments after conducting a more detailed technical review. Given the magnitude of the changes between the current effective maps and the proposed draft maps, allowing adequate time for local review is essential to ensuring confidence in the final outcomes of this process. Respectfully, KITTITAS COUNTY CITY OF KITTITAS By: �' By: Ms..tau s da Mr. Richard Hink Cha.i-r.Kittitas County Board of Commissioners Mayor Kittitas County Courthouse 205 West 5$Avenue,STE 108 Ellensburg,WA 98926 (509)962-7508 FAX(509)962-7679 www co kittitas.waus EXHIBIT 2: Example maps illustrating changes between existing and proposed mapping in the Cle Elum and City of Kittitas vicinities. Page 4 of 4 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT r Changes Since Last FIRM(as of August 28 2025) sru Flood Risk Classification Change.Removed from Area of High Flood Risk(1%Annual Chance). No Change.Remains Arca of High Flood �' 1 Risk(1%Annual Chartcey I i rV Change.Added to Area of High Flood Risk (1%Annual Chance). No Change.Remains outside Area of High t Flood Risk(1%Annual Chance). Figure 1: Map changes within the Cle Elum vicinity.. t� Gomm 1i3�7 - �Wfif �pf[3n Changes Since Last FIRM(as of August 28 2025) } � Flood Risk Classification Change.Removed from Area of High Flood Risk(1%Annual Chance)- No Change.Remains Area of High Flood Risk(1%Annual Chance) Change.Added to Area of High Flood Risk Ik (1%Annual Chanco). No Change.Remains outside Area of High Flood Risk(1%Annual Chance). Figure 2: Map changes within the City of Kittitas vicinity. KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Public Works Study Session Regular Meeting Monday November 10, 2025 - 1 :30 PM BoCC Auditorium 205 West 5th Room 109-Ellensburg 1.Call to Order 2.Citizen Comments (1 min.time limit) 3. Extension Letter RE: FEMA flood map revisions 4.Other Business-No Action to be taken S.Concluded Created on 11/6/2025 10:30:59 AM