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KITTITAS COUNTY <br />DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS <br />PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />STUDY SESSION DATE: June 28, 2021 <br />TOPIC: Proposed Changes to Kittitas County Code Chapter 14.08 <br />Flood Damage Prevention <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Direction to staff. <br />LEAD STAFF: <br />Arden Thomas <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Direct staff to prepare enabling documentation and set a public hearing to consider <br />proposed changes to Kittitas County Code Chapter 14.08 Flood Damage Prevention. <br />BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br />• Kittitas County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. <br />Participating in this program benefits County residents by enabling residents with <br />homes at flood risk to receive a federally backed mortgage and receive disaster <br />assistance. <br />• To remain in the National Flood Insurance Program, Kittitas County must update <br />Kittitas County Code Chapter 14.08 by September 24, 2021, so that it meets <br />minimum federal and state standards and must adopt and utilize updated <br />floodplain hazard maps provided by FEMA. <br />• Staff from FEMA, the Department of Ecology, the Community Rating System <br />(CRS) Program and the Building Department have reviewed the Kittitas County <br />ordinance and provided comment. <br />• Kittitas County Public Works staff has proposed code revisions based on <br />comments we have received. Staff recommends code revisions that are either <br />required per federal and state standards, required to maintain our current standing <br />in the Community Rating System Program or reflect current floodplain <br />administration practices that are based on federal and state guidance. <br />BACKGROUND: <br />In 1981, Kittitas County joined the National Flood Insurance Program. Participating in <br />this program benefits County residents by enabling residents with homes at flood risk to <br />receive a federally backed mortgage and receive disaster assistance. Program <br />participation also makes federal flood insurance available in our community. To <br />participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, Kittitas County must have a <br />floodplain management ordinance that meets minimum federal and state criteria and must <br />adopt and utilize floodplain hazard maps provided by FEMA. <br />Page 1 of 3 <br />PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />