Spring 2008 SEH In Sight

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Spring 2008
Volume 7

Redeveloping Brownfields
Overcome the Barriers. Reap the benefits

PROFILE:
Nancy Schultz Lives For the Job

CLIENT TALK:
Flood Map Updates Raise Financial Concerns for Clients

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING:
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
States, Cities, Businesses All Seek Solutions—a Baseline Inventory is a Good Place to Start

FEATURED PROJECT:
New Trinity School Integrates Classical Design with Contemporary Function

SEH NEWS

Download a PDF of this issue (2 MB)

CLIENT TALK Flood Map Updates Raise Financial Concerns for Clients

While many communities battle floodwaters this spring, some are battling their own flood-related challenges with the new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Map Modernization Program initiative.

With this new initiative affecting the entire nation, SEH wants to share how these clients are handling FEMA’s new Map Modernization Program:

The process is initially overwhelming; however, for those communities with robust surface water management plans, the evaluation, appeal, and incorporation process can be accomplished with manageable effort. City staff, along with our consultant, were able to overlay the digital maps with our local plan to cost effectively determine the appropriateness and accuracy of the flood plain designations.

Brian Bachmeier, PE, Public Works Director/City Engineer, Oakdale, Minn.

If changes occur, residents will have a hard time understanding why they are now not in compliance. We want to avoid any flood rate impacts to the citizens, so we’re taking steps now to review the draft maps and reports to ensure the data represents the actual conditions of the community.

Charles Paukert, CFM, Floodplain Manager, Village of Cedar Creek, Neb.

FEMA is in the process of updating the nation’s flood hazard identification maps in an effort to present better flood risk information to communities nationwide. The update may have major implications on some communities—particularly those with levees. The process could result in communities’ levees being decertified due to either the lack of available documentation or if determined that the levee does not meet the federal levee standards. This decertification could cost residents thousands of dollars due to required flood insurance on federally backed mortgages, which could result in a decline in property values and tax base.

Fortunately, communities have options. Prior to the remapping comment grace period, they can be proactive in the remapping effort by reviewing existing floodplain management documentation (including levee information as applicable) to eliminate any future surprises. Once the comment period is reached, they can take advantage of this time—typically 30 to 90 days depending on the circumstances—to review and challenge the proposed boundary changes.

SEH can help clients by:

Reviewing floodplain information to identify discrepancies between the communities’ information and the proposed maps
Developing a process toward levee certifications and thus can be accredited and included on the new maps
Assisting with Letter of Map Revisions, Elevation Certificates, Community Planning to address impacts of the remapping, Levee Inspections to maintain accreditation, and overall floodplain management, including guidance in the Community Rating System (CRS) process to help reduce overall community flood risk and resulting flood insurance rates

For more information, contact SEH Flood Management Expert Brad Woznak, PE, CFM, at 800.325.2055.

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