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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 />