Staff: Buffalo River flood‑insurance study near completion; FEMA letter of map revision issued, effective pending appeal period
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Summary
Planning staff told commissioners that FEMA issued a letter of map revision for the Buffalo River study; a 90‑day appeal period will follow a second public notice and the changes are expected to be effective in October, which would shrink the regulated 100‑year floodplain for many property owners.
Planning staff updated the commission on a long‑running Buffalo River Flood Insurance Study that revises the regulatory 100‑year floodplain for areas downstream from Glendon and east of Buffalo River Speedway. Staff said the study has been underway for nearly a decade and will reduce or remove floodplain designations for many properties once it becomes effective.
Staff reported FEMA has issued a letter of map revision and that a 90‑day appeal period begins after FEMA publishes the second required public notice in the newspaper; following the appeal period and administrative processing, staff said the revision should take effect in October. After the revision becomes effective, property owners in affected areas could see decreased base‑flood elevations or removal from the mapped floodplain.
The planning director noted the appeal standard is rigorous and requires an engineered Letter of Map Revision from petitioners if they challenge FEMA’s determinations. Staff said they plan to present the final mapping changes to the Planning Commission and County Board once the process is complete, and suggested inviting representatives from the diversion or FEMA to speak with the commission about the technical work and how changes will affect local permitting and insurance requirements.