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Floodplain Mapping Modernization Planned
by Tom Larson
The Bush Administration has proposed a significant increase in federal funds for new floodplain mapping. The current $51 million (annually) would swell to $351 million beginning this October. The increased availability of funds may mean a flurry of new flood plain mapping and related activities in Wisconsin.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the flood mapping program nationally, has indicated that funding for mapping in Wisconsin could increase from the current $0.3 to $5 million annually. To prepare for the increased funding, FEMA has asked states to develop state plans for implementing the floodplain mapping modernization initiative.
DNR drafting plan for Wisconsin
Responding to the request, the Dam Safety, Floodplain and Shoreland Section of the Wis. Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) has drafted a plan for the state. As part of this plan, the DNR is requesting that Wisconsin receive full delegation in order to implement floodplain mapping activities for FEMA, which would put administration of the work here in the state.
Our state's floodplain management program recently upgraded its mapping capabilities. To increase the total resources committed to the new mapping, FEMA is also seeking a 20 percent state/local match which can include base map data, digital terrain data, in-kind services or additional state/local funding.
Deficient maps cause problems
The majority of Flood Insurance Maps (FIRMs) were approximated using 10-foot contour-interval topographic maps. The dissatisfaction with these approximate methods is evident by the number of letters of map amendments issued to remove properties from the mapped floodplain (thereby gaining the property owner an exemption from the mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement). Conversely, some areas that are actually flood prone, but not shown as such on the FIRMs, continue to be developed by unsuspecting land owners.
In addition to fundamentally weak mapping methods used in the past, changes on the ground (particularly paving and bridge work) have modified the dynamics of rainwater runoff since the original mapping was done. FEMA is fully aware of the increasing inadequacy of floodplain maps and has received numerous complaints about this issue from user groups and citizens through members of Congress.
Wide variety of users
Floodplain maps are used by REALTORS®, lenders, communities, design professionals, builders, and regulators for a variety of purposes. Accurate floodplain delineations are vital when making planning decisions regarding structure location, solid waste disposal, hazardous material storage and transportation routes. Understanding floodplain locations is critical to developing effective, comprehensive plans as part of Wisconsin's new Smart Growth law.
In planning for flood map upgrades, FEMA will use the Government Performance Results Act (GPRA) performance measures suggested by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the proposed funding of the Flood Map Modernization. Goals will be to:
- Reduce the average age of maps up to six years (current average is 13.6 years);
- Produce digital mapping products with up-to-date flood hazard data for the 15 percent highest priority areas;
- Develop flood maps for half of the unmapped, flood prone communities;
- Encourage state/local cost share on mapping projects.
The Bush administration seems to be showing a long-term commitment to floodplain mapping by projecting budget authority for flood mapping on the order of $360 million to $380 million annually for future years. This budget item appears to have broad support in Congress.
(Source: Floodplain mapping modernization planned, by Ted Koch)
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DNR Names Advisory Committee for Revisions to Shoreland Zoning Regulations
by Tom Larson
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently sent out invitations to the WRA and other organizations asking for their participation in the revisions to Wisconsin's shoreland zoning regulations (Chapter NR 115 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code).
The scope of the revision-making process is very narrow, with discussion limited to only NR 115. Discussions will not involve issues related to Ch. 30, Wis. Stats., the definition of navigable waters, or Ordinary High Water Mark determinations. In fact, the DNR has created participation guidelines to narrow the focus of the Advisory Committee:
- Each meeting will focus only on specific agenda topics. For example, the first issue-related meeting will be about the shoreland buffer and setback components of the code; we will not be discussing lot sizes or nonconforming structures during this meeting. These issues will be key topics at a future advisory committee meeting.
- Any written comments submitted by the Advisory Committee members should be authored by the Advisory Committee member and shall reflect the collective opinion of his/her organization, business or association.
- Advisory Committee members will be given two weeks after each meeting to submit additional written comments on the previous meeting topics.
- Each advisory committee member will be asked for an opinion as representative of their organization or association on each major issue covered during the meetings.
Proposed Process
The DNR has outlined a six-phase rule-making process for revisions to the rule. The first phase (Fall/Winter 2003) will include two general meetings, discussing the background of the rule and goals for revisions. The second phase (Winter/ Spring 2003) will include a more extensive discussion of the issues and a draft of the proposed rule. The third phase (Summer 2003) will include final recommendations from the Advisory Committee. The fourth phase (Fall 2003) will include public listening sessions throughout the state to get input and feedback from the general public. The fifth phase (Winter/Spring 2004) will include the preparation of a rule package and eight additional public hearings around the state-Appleton, Stevens Point, Waukesha, Madison, Eau Claire, La Cross, Spooner and Rhinelander. The sixth and final phase (Fall 2004) will include a final draft of the rule, request for approval the Natural Resources Board, and the beginning of the legislature's review of the rule.
The first two meetings have been scheduled for Nov. 21, 2002 (overview of the goals for the committee and outline the process developed by the DNR for the rule's revisions) and Dec. 12, 2002 (introduction of broad concepts in shoreland management and set the stage for the following issues to be discussed-development in Wisconsin, county shoreland management initiatives, and land use trends).
The remaining meetings will be broken down into the following three topics with an additional topic related to "flexibility and mitigation" incorporated into each of the three specific areas:
- Shoreland Buffers and Setbacks
- Development Density
- Nonconforming Structures and Uses
These meetings will be structured to have experts in relevant fields setting the stage for each meeting. Members of the DNR Shoreland Management Team will describe the current rule language and management activities, while the remainder of the meeting will be for the advisory committee to ask questions, modify options or suggest additional options.
Advisory Committee List of Invitees
The list of organizations invited to participate in the rule revision-making process include the following:
Local Government
Wisconsin County Code Administrators (representatives from the northern, central and southern parts of the state)
Elected County Planning & Zoning member (representatives from the northern and southern parts of the state)
Wisconsin Towns Association
Wisconsin Counties Association
Public Resource Interests
Wisconsin Association of Lakes
River of Alliance of Wisconsin
Conservation Congress
Trout Unlimited
Riparian Owners
Riparian Property Owners (representative from the north and south)
Academic Resources
University Representative (water quality)
University Representative (habitat)
University Representative (zoning)
WI Chapter of American Planning Association
Private Business
Wisconsin Builders Association
Wisconsin REALTORS® Association
Natural Resources Board Appointee
Landscape Contractor
Restoration Consultant
Agricultural Representative
Forestry Representative
For more information, please contact Tom Larson at (608) 240-8254.
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Zoning Information and FEMA Maps Now Available on WRA Web site
by Tom Larson
In an effort to make our Web site more informative and more widely used by
REALTORS®, the WRA will be significantly improving the land use section of its Web site.
Two recent updates include statewide zoning maps and floodplain maps:
Statewide zoning maps
The state's regional planning commissions have created statewide zoning maps, showing the general zoning for Wisconsin's unincorporated lands. These lands may be zoned under a county ordinance, a town ordinance, or they may have no zoning at all. It is important to keep in mind that the maps show only general zoning ordinances - not special ordinances.
These statewide zoning maps can be assessed on the WRA Web site.
Floodplain maps
As indicated in the previous article, modernized floodplain mapping may soon be available in Wisconsin. However, because it will take years to revise all of the new maps, the existing Flood Rate Insurance Maps (FIRMs, developed by FEMA) will be used in the interim.
To make FIRMs more accessible, the DNR has scanned and geo-coded all of the floodplain maps for the state. You can now view these maps via the
WRA Web site.
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