TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Keith Stahley, City Manager
FROM: Brian D. Martin, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
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Public Review of Draft Updates to the City of Salem Floodplain Management Plan.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Safe, Reliable, and Efficient Infrastructure
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SUMMARY:
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A committee of City staff and community stakeholders completed a five-year periodic review and evaluation of the City’s Floodplain Management Plan (Plan) in compliance with Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) requirements for the Community Rating System (CRS). The review included an overall evaluation of the Plan and a detailed review of the Program for Public Information (See Appendix F of the Plan) and the Coverage Improvement Plan (See Appendix G of the Plan). The draft update to the Floodplain Management Plan is currently being made available to the public for review and comments. The final plan will be developed following public comment period and will be presented to Council for formal adoption at the December 4, 2023, City Council meeting.
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RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Information only.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
1. Salem’s original Floodplain Management Plan was adopted on June 10, 2013, under Resolution 2013-45. FEMA requires that planning documents be updated through a formal review process every five years.
2. FEMA requires floodplain management planning efforts be included within the City’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP). The NHMP identifies Salem as having a high vulnerability to, and a high probability for, flood hazards. The NHMP identifies two action items specifically related to flood hazards:
a. Update, maintain, and implement flood actions via a floodplain management plan in accordance with FEMA’s Community Rating System guidelines.
b. Improve the City of Salem’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System to reduce NFIP premiums.
3. FEMA’s process for updating a floodplain management plan requires conducting public outreach, coordinating with other government agencies, assessing hazards and problem areas, setting goals, reviewing possible activities, creating an action plan, adopting, and implementing the plan, and evaluating the plan’s effectiveness. Public review of the draft plan is a key element of the public involvement component of the planning process.
4. Proposed outreach efforts include a press release, a link on the City’s website for review and comment on the draft plan, and an outreach letter distributed to key agencies and other stakeholders. City staff will also meet with community groups, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
5. Draft versions of the appendices referenced in the Floodplain Management Plan are available for review at https: <https://www.cityofsalem.net/community/safety/flooding/floodplain-management-plan-update-2023>.
6. The final plan is scheduled to be presented to Council for adoption on December 4, 2023. Once adopted, the new plan will be evaluated at least once per year to maintain its effectiveness and ensure it remains consistent with FEMA guidelines. The adopted plan will remain valid for five years.
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BACKGROUND:
Following a formal planning process with the assistance of a citizen advisory committee, a draft update to the Floodplain Management Plan is available for public review and comment. As a key element of the City’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, the Floodplain Management Plan identifies flood hazards throughout the community, evaluates problems caused by those hazards, reviews possible mitigation activities, and creates an action plan to mitigate those flood hazards. The plan is also integral to the City's participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Community Rating System, which reduces annual flood insurance premiums for all Salem’s residents.
The public comment period ends November 17, 2023. After review of the public comments, City staff will finalize the plan and bring it to Council with a resolution for adoption.
Robert D. Chandler, PhD, PE
Assistant Public Works Director
Attachment:
Draft Floodplain Management Plan Update