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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: November 10,2025 <br /> TOPIC: Extension Letter RE: FEMA flood map revisions <br /> ACTION REQUESTED: Finalize comment letter and invite City of <br /> Kittitas to sign <br /> LEAD STAFF: <br /> Arden Thomas <br /> RECOMMENDATION: <br /> Finalize extension letter regarding FEMA flood map revisions and invite the City of <br /> Kittitas to sign the comment letter. <br /> BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br /> • At the March 25, 2024 Public Works Study Session,the Board of County <br /> Commissioners(BOCC) directed staff to remain engaged in the Federal <br /> Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA)ongoing efforts to improve flood risk <br /> modeling and mapping, and to provide periodic updates regarding the status of <br /> this initiative. <br /> • The FEMA study area includes land located just east of Cle Elum and several <br /> streams on the eastern side of the Kittitas Valley—areas where County staff have <br /> concerns that current FEMA mapping does not adequately assess flood risk. <br /> • Draft maps have been shared with the County, and we were informed that <br /> comments on the draft maps may be submitted until November 24, 2025. <br /> • Proposed mapping in the Kittitas Valley area significantly expands the mapped <br /> floodplain area. <br /> • Kittitas County staff recommend a more in-depth technical review of the <br /> modeling and mapping work conducted in the Kittitas Valley study area and <br /> propose to utilize our on-call Hydraulic and Hydrologic (H&H) contractor to <br /> conduct this review. <br /> • Our H&H contractor has not yet been able to complete the review because the <br /> necessary technical documents have not been provided. <br /> • Staff recommend that the BOCC submit a formal comment letter requesting an <br /> extension of the review period,as FEMA has not provided the requested technical <br /> information. <br /> Page 1 of 4 <br /> PUBLIC WORKS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />