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FEMA funding for Sheriff’s Reservoir project at risk after neighboring county’s hazard mitigation plan expired, commissioners say
Summary
Routt County commissioners were told Rio Blanco County’s expired hazard mitigation plan may make the Sheriff’s Reservoir dam project ineligible for FEMA funding; commissioners directed staff to investigate options for incorporating the area into Routt County’s plan or coordinating with Rio Blanco officials.
Routt County commissioners discussed May 12 whether FEMA funding for a Sheriff’s Reservoir dam project is at risk after officials learned Rio Blanco County’s hazard mitigation plan has expired.
Commissioner Macy's reported that Mary Alice (a contact in Oak Creek) told her Rio Blanco’s hazard mitigation plan lapsed and, as a result, FEMA has listed the reservoir project as ineligible pending an approved plan that covers both dam owner and dam location. The project has received a FEMA allocation of about $3.5 million, according to material the commissioners reviewed.
Commissioners and staff discussed options for rescuing the grant eligibility. Jay, the county manager, said Routt County’s updated hazard mitigation plan already includes the reservoir as a downstream concern, but FEMA requires both the dam owner and the dam location to be covered by an approved plan. Commissioners outlined two paths: Rio Blanco could renew or replace its plan in time to preserve eligibility, or an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) could be pursued to incorporate the affected area into Routt County’s mitigation process.
Commissioner Macy's said county staff would check deadlines and determine whether extensions or emergency solutions exist. She asked Jay to consult Moe and encouraged outreach to Rio Blanco Commissioner Jennifer and Oak Creek contacts so the counties could coordinate. Commissioners noted Rio Blanco had other delays — including an emergency-manager vacancy — that might explain timing problems.
The board did not vote on any motion. Instead, commissioners asked staff to follow up with Rio Blanco officials, determine exact FEMA deadlines and application conditions, and report back. If Rio Blanco cannot meet FEMA’s timeframe, commissioners discussed whether the county could help by approving an IGA or by advocating with state or federal partners to preserve previously awarded funds.
Commissioners emphasized urgency because the FEMA funding and a related Energy Impact Assistance Fund match could be lost if the mitigation-plan issue is not resolved promptly. Jay and staff committed to outreach and to updating the board with options and timelines.
