The Board of Supervisors on Oct. 7 introduced for first reading a revised county floodplain ordinance designed to incorporate recently updated FEMA flood maps and to keep Siskiyou County in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Why it matters: FEMA completed updated flood mapping for parts of Siskiyou County (including Scott Valley). The NFIP requires participating counties to adopt an ordinance consistent with new maps and NFIP standards; the county faces a Dec. 11, 2025 adoption deadline to remain in compliance, staff said.

What staff said: Floodplain Administrator Seth Gramp told the board FEMA has updated mapping in the county and that he has drafted a new ordinance that FEMA and the state have conditionally approved. "Over the last year, FEMA has been updating the flood mapping here in Siskiyou County," Gramp said, and the county must adopt revised regulations to remain in the NFIP.

The planning commission has held a noticed hearing and recommended approval. Staff recommended the board introduce, waive first reading, and approve the first reading so the board could set a continued public hearing and second reading for Oct. 21.

Board action: The board moved to introduce and waive first reading and directed the clerk to set a continued public hearing and second reading for Oct. 21, 2025. The board recorded its support on the roll call.

Public comment and next steps: No public comments were received on the first-reading notice. Staff said CEQA exemptions apply for the ordinance under the common-sense and natural-resources protection exemptions. The board scheduled the Oct. 21 continued hearing to allow adoption before the NFIP deadline.

Context: Adopting the ordinance will align county regulations with updated FEMA floodplain maps and preserve residents' eligibility for flood insurance through NFIP, and ensure local permitting reflects the new mapping.