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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022 08 16 AIS Community Engagement Plan for Flood Map UpdatesAGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 8/16/2022 Meeting Type: Regular Meeting Staff Contact/Dept.: Sandy Belson/DPW Staff Phone No: 541.736.7135 Estimated Time: 20 Minutes COMMITTEE FOR CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT (CCI) Council Goals: Mandate ITEM TITLE: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN: FLOOD MAP UPDATE ACTION REQUESTED: Approve the draft Community Engagement Plan for flood map updates as presented or with modifications. ISSUE STATEMENT: In accordance with Springfield’s adopted Citizen Involvement Program and Statewide Planning Goal 1: Citizen Involvement, staff prepared a draft Community Engagement Plan for the flood map updates. In its capacity as the Committee for Citizen Involvement (CCI), staff requests feedback on the draft Community Engagement Plan. ATTACHMENTS: ATTACHMENT 1: Draft Community Engagement Plan DISCUSSION: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is updating the flood maps for central Lane County. These updates are based on improved mapping technology and newer data collected in association with local jurisdictions and tribal governments. The City and Lane County are required to co-adopt the final updated maps as the basis for the Floodplain Overlay District (Springfield Development Code Section 3.3400). Any comments on the updated boundaries of the flood hazard areas must be provided to FEMA prior to the close of FEMA’s appeal period. The primary purpose of Springfield’s Committee for Citizen Involvement (CCI) is to promote and enhance meaningful opportunities for community engagement in land use decisions. The draft Community Engagement Plan for the Flood Map Update: • Presents the purpose of the Community Engagement Plan • Provides background on the FEMA flood maps • Specifies goals for outreach • Identifies the target audience • Lists key messages • Describes strategies and tactics for engaging the community • Presents a timeline for engagement At the meeting, staff will highlight the content of the Community Engagement Plan and be available for questions. Flood Map Updates page 1 of 4 Draft Community Engagement Plan Flood Map Updates Draft - Community Engagement Plan I. PURPOSE OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN This Community Engagement Plan will serve as a guide for outreach and community engagement activities for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s update of the Flood Maps and Springfield’s adoption of the new maps as the basis for Springfield’s Floodplain Overlay District. It describes the activities that the City of Springfield will implement to ensure that the interested and affected parties have adequate opportunities to understand the updates and provide meaningful input. II. INTRODUCTION Background Flooding is the most common and expensive natural disaster in the United States. Studies show that the high-risk areas on flood maps have a 26% chance of being flooded at some point during a 30-year mortgage. The City of Springfield participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). NFIP is run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The objectives of the NFIP are to: (1) ensure that new buildings will be free from flood damage; (2) prevent new development from increasing flood damages on existing properties; and (3) ensure the natural and beneficial functions of the floodplain are maintained. NFIP was created by the U.S. Congress in 1968 to help minimize the costs of disaster relief and reduce the loss of life and property caused by flooding. Participation in the NFIP allows members of the Springfield community to access federally backed flood insurance. Flood insurance is required for federally backed loans to purchase or build structures located within the floodplain. Participation also ensures the City remains eligible for Federal disaster assistance in identified floodplain areas. The current floodplain map for Springfield that flood insurance is based on was last updated in 1999. Attachment 1, Page 1 of 4 Flood Map Updates page 2 of 4 Draft Community Engagement Plan FEMA Map Updates New/updated maps for Springfield are being prepared by FEMA to better understand flood risks and allow for more informed decisions about how to protect against damage and loss. Flood risk changes over time. Helping our community understand its risk from floods is an important step toward reducing those risks. Flood maps show the areas with the highest risk in our area, as well as other important information. FEMA uses the best data available to help communities understand their risk. This data is a combination of the information Springfield community provides and FEMA’s own scientific research and analysis. These new/updated floodplain maps better represent flood risk in Springfield and Central Lane County. FEMA is seeking input on these maps to ensure that they reflect local data/knowledge. Once FEMA finalizes the floodplain maps, the City of Springfield and Lane County will co-adopt the updated maps as the basis for the Floodplain Overlay District. Development within the Floodplain Overlay District must conform to the requirements in Section 3.3.800 of the Springfield Development Code. III. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Purpose of Community Engagement 1. To assist property owners and occupants affected by changes to the Flood Maps to understand their flood risk and how to mitigate that risk during development and by purchasing flood insurance. 2. To provide an opportunity for people to comment on FEMA’s flood maps before they are finalized by FEMA and co-adopted by the City of Springfield and Lane County as the basis for an updated Floodplain Overlay District. Outreach Goals 1. Working with FEMA, provide accurate information to community about the flood risks within Springfield’s urban growth boundary 2. Seek feedback about the accuracy of the new/updated maps in tandem with FEMA as part of outreach efforts 3. Increase the awareness of the availability of the flood maps and opportunities to view them among affected property and business owners, and residents 4. Increase awareness of the importance to have flood insurance for those in identified areas of risk within the Springfield community 5. Message that this work is occurring based on direction FEMA receives and is not policy driven by the City 6. Explain the City’s partnership with FEMA to reduce flood risk within the identified flood hazard areas, including the City’s responsibility for adopting floodplain management regulations 7. Increase awareness of regulatory requirements affecting development in the flood hazard areas Attachment 1, Page 2 of 4 Flood Map Updates page 3 of 4 Draft Community Engagement Plan Target Audience 1. Property owners and occupants of property that is affected by the updated maps (properties being added to or removed from the floodplain) 2. People with knowledge about flood risk in Springfield who may have knowledge to share with FEMA about the draft flood maps Key Messages 1. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created a new/updated flood maps for Springfield 2. Based on the new map, your property is either being added to or removed from a special flood hazard area 3. Properties located within the FEMA-designated flood hazard areas could be affected by a flood if one occurs within Springfield’s urban growth boundary 4. To better understand your flood risk please review the Storymap 5. FEMA is seeking feedback on the new/updated map, you can provide feedback through city staff or directly to FEMA 6. To protect against damage and loss from flood, consider purchasing flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program 7. This flood insurance program is run by the FEMA 8. Once FEMA finalizes the flood maps, the City of Springfield and Lane County will co-adopt those maps as the basis for the Floodplain Overlay District 9. The Floodplain Overlay District (Section 3.3.400 of the Springfield Development Code) includes regulations of development that reduce flood risk Strategies 1. Inform community members about the new/updated flood map and the opportunity to learn about flood risk, flood insurance, and develop regulations in flood hazard areas 2. Increase awareness of the floodplain map and the need for flood insurance among those affected by making it easy to access and understand the information; and 3. Seek feedback on the new floodplain map from community members and share with FEMA. Tactics – Finalizing FEMA Maps 1. Update the Floodplain Map webpage on the City’s website to include links to FEMA’s StoryMap and other resources such as the FloodSmart website 2. Create and share Frequently Asked Questions that are specific to Springfield as related to the new/updated map including what has been updated and why, and what has not been updated or included and why 3. Mail initial postcard to affected properties and occupants to inform them of FEMA’s new/updated flood map for Springfield and to watch for a letter from the City with full details coming shortly 4. Mail letter with full details to affected properties and occupants to inform them of FEMA’s new/updated floodplain map for Springfield, where to go for additional information and opportunities to give feedback Attachment 1, Page 3 of 4 Flood Map Updates page 4 of 4 Draft Community Engagement Plan 5. Notify organizations that have knowledge of/interest in the updated flood maps including Watershed Councils, environmental groups, and the Springfield Board of Realtors 6. Participate in hosting an Open House with City of Eugene and Lane County in October 2022 7. Prepare and disseminate a joint news release with City of Eugene, Lane County and FEMA about the new map and open house 8. Include information in DPW’s Fall quarterly newsletter 9. Have Spanish translated information available on the City’s website and upon request Tactics – Local Adoption 1. Update the Floodplain Map webpage on the City’s website to include links to FEMA’s Final Flood Maps and other resources such as the FloodSmart website 2. Update the Frequently Asked Questions 3. Mail notice public hearings to affected property owners and occupants 4. Public notice in the newspaper and send out a media release 5. Hold Planning Commission public hearing 6. Hold elected official public hearing (Springfield City Council and Lane County Board of Commissioners) Timeline This timeline shows a simplified timeline for FEMA to finalize the flood maps and for the City of Springfield and Lane County to co-adopt the maps as the basis for Springfield’s Floodplain Overlay District. September – October 2022 November 2022 – Spring 2023 Spring 2024 FEMA and local jurisdictions are preparing to enter the Community Outreach phase. People may submit comments and/or appeals of the new/updated maps through the Appeal period. FEMA expects to issue a Letter of Final Determination in the Fall of 2023. The letter will also be published in the Federal Register. Upon receiving FEMA’s Letter of Final Determination, the City of Springfield and Lane County will have 6 months to co-adopt the new maps before they become “effective”. The local adoption process will include notice to effected property owners and occupants and public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council/Board of County Commissioners. Attachment 1, Page 4 of 4