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Staff urges adoption of updated FEMA flood maps to preserve federal insurance and funding
Summary
Julie Hyman, borough floodplain planner, told the committee the borough must adopt FEMA’s updated flood insurance study and rate maps to avoid suspension from the National Flood Insurance Program and the loss of certain federal funds.
Julie Hyman, a planner in the borough’s River Center who administers floodplain matters, told the committee the borough must adopt the most recent FEMA flood insurance study and flood insurance rate maps under federal rules and that FEMA set a February 28 deadline for action.
Hyman said FEMA sent a letter dated Jan. 17 reminding the borough of the deadline and the federal suspension regulations. She said the borough’s notification obligations under federal rules have been met and reiterated that the maps represent a snapshot in time: imagery reviewed by staff shows sedimentation building from about 2010 through at least 2021 and staff lack imagery for every year.
Explaining the purpose of floodplain management, Hyman said, “Flood plain management is not to reduce floods. It is to mitigate and try to reduce loss of property and lives.” She told the committee that landowners have disputed some map panels and sought help from the borough’s federal delegation; the senator’s office has engaged with FEMA but staff have not seen any regulatory action that would change the borough’s requirement to adopt the maps on the current timetable.
Assembly President Rivens said the administration encouraged delay to allow the federal delegation to engage but cautioned the committee that federal officials cannot change FEMA regulations without new legislation. A committee member asked about the consequences of not adopting the maps; staff said suspension from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) would make federally backed flood insurance unavailable and could jeopardize eligibility for certain federal disaster and infrastructure funds and HUD‑backed financing.
The ordinance (Ordinance 2024‑35, amending KPB 21.06.003) was introduced in committee; planning staff recommended moving forward to meet FEMA’s schedule. The committee discussed limiting public comment at the later assembly meeting to communications with the senator’s office, given prior opportunities for deeper review by the planning commission and committee. No assembly vote on adoption was recorded at this committee meeting; the item will be handled during the assembly public hearing and meeting later the same day.
