[Massplanners] Floodplain administrator

[Tom Devine]

Hello Planners,

Salem is updating its flood ordinance<https://publicinput.com/salemfhod> to comply with the state's model ordinance<http://www.mass.gov/guides/floodplain-management#-2020-massachusetts-model-floodplain-bylaw->, reference new FEMA maps, and tackle projected future flooding. I'm interested to know:


  1.  who in your community is the floodplain administrator?
  2.  whether they are doing all the tasks listed in the state's model ordinance guidance below?
  3.  and how much work it is?

This will help Salem (and I hope other communities too) put this role with the right staff person.

Thank you in advance for your response. I know there has been some earlier discussion about this on the listserv, but I am hoping to dig a little deeper this time.

Best,
Tom

Designate the official responsible to submit a report to the Federal Insurance Administrator concerning the community participation in the Program, including, but not limited to the development and implementation of floodplain management regulations. [44CFR 59.22 (b)]
The community must designate by title one person to act as the community's floodplain administrator (sometimes referred to as the FPA.).  This is so that FEMA can use this information in their local contacts database, and so that this person can act on behalf of the community when implementing certain tasks under the National Flood Insurance Program. For example, the local FPA would sign the Community Acknowledgement Form when a property owner wishes to file for a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR).
The designation refers to a local staff position and can be anyone with the local authority to assure that the community is meeting its obligations as a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program.  The FPA does not need to be someone who is directly involved in local development, but it should be someone who has at least a general concept of NFIP requirements and of the community's obligations under the Program.  Typically, across the nation the FPA can be a building commissioner, town manager, town engineer, director of planning, environmental planner, etc.

Typical duties of an FPA include but are not limited to:

  1.  Understanding the regulations for development in the floodplain overlay district
  2.  Ensuring that permits are applied for when development of any kind is proposed in the floodplain overlay district
  3.  Involvement with the permit process and/or permit application review for development in the floodplain overlay district
  4.  Coordinating with other local departments such as public works, stormwater/ engineering, planning & zoning, conservation commission, or housing
  5.  Notifying adjacent communities prior to alteration of a watercourse
  6.  Dealing with compliance issues and enforcement actions such as correcting violations, or working with the appropriate local staff to correct violations
  7.  Maintaining records of floodplain development, and keeping FEMA current and historic maps available for public inspection


Tom Devine, AICP | Senior Planner
City of Salem Department of Planning & Community Development
98 Washington St., 2nd Floor | Salem, MA 01970
978-619-5682 | tdevine at salem.com<https://mail.salem.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=ff17803e708040dd947c435c604b284a&URL=mailto%3atdevine%40salem.com>
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