2020-07-13-minutes-public-works-study-session

Home Browse Search

BACKGROUND: In 1981, Kittitas County joined the National Flood Insurance Program. Participating in the National Flood Hazard Program provides benefits to County residents, particularly the ability to take out a Federal and Federally backed mortgage and receive disaster assistance. It also makes Federal flood insurance available in our community. Kittitas County must use Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Hazard Boundary Maps that are provided by FEMA. The maps the FEMA has provided were developed 40 years ago. In 2010, FEMA initiated a map modernization process. The updated maps utilize more accurate topographic information and a more accurate vertical datum. New hydraulic modeling was conducted for a portion of the Yakima River. This map modernization process also includes the development of digital map products, which are easier to use and more accurate than paper maps. FEMA initiated public outreach for the map modernization effort in 2010 and there have been opportunities for public comment in 2010, 2014 and 2016. Public Works provided a subset of the mapping effort to FEMA in 2016 along with consultant review comments that support the current remapping effort. After preliminary maps were provided in 2017, there were public meetings and a formal appeal period that ended in April 2018. This concludes any public ability altering the current maps that are being proposed for adoption. FEMA was scheduled to provide a Letter of Final Determination on April 15, 2020 but delayed due to COVID-19 concerns. Once FEMA issues a Letter of Final Determination, Kittitas County will have to update our ordinance within 6 months to adopt the new maps and make any changes needed to ensure minimal compliance with Federal and State requirements. FEMA is now ready to proceed in issuing the Letter of Final Determination but is seeking feedback from the County and other local jurisdictions before proceeding. Revisions to the existing County Flood Protection Ordinance are required prior to adopting the revised maps. DISCUSSION: The opportunity for Kittitas County and Kittitas County residents to provide comment that challenge the validity or accuracy of the proposed changes has passed. In the period when FEMA has provided preliminary maps, but they have not been adopted, FEMA's guidance is for communities to use the new information only if it is more restrictive than the effective maps and FEMA's requirement are clear that Kittitas County cannot utilize the preliminary maps to remove a building site from the 100 -year floodplain or floodway. Kittitas County staff currently provide both sets of maps in response to floodplain map requests, but our online mapping system only provides the 1981 map information. Several residents have been waiting since 2019 to proceed with projects, because they need require the new maps to be adopted. Staff has worked with the Department of Ecology reviewing required and desired changes to the County's existing floodplain Ordinance. Staff has heard concern from a Board member that moving forward in the Ordinance revision process during the pandemic may limit the County's ability conducting required public hearings prior to adopting a revised ordinance. Staff can return to the Board with an inventory of Ordinance changes that might assist the Board Page 2 of 3 PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT