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Morrow County discusses FEMA'required interim floodplain measures; staff recommends habitat-assessment option
Summary
Planning staff explained FEMA's interim compliance options after a biological opinion and recommended requiring permit applicants to provide a floodplain habitat assessment demonstrating no net loss. Commissioners debated costs and downstream ESA implications; a motion to adopt option 3 was moved and seconded, but the transcript does not record a final roll-call vote.
Planning staff briefed the Board on newly required interim measures tied to a FEMA biological opinion affecting counties with mapped Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) areas. Staff summarized three interim options: prohibit new development in the floodplain (option 1); adopt a FEMA model ordinance (option 2); or require permit applicants to submit a floodplain habitat assessment showing the project would achieve "no net loss" to listed resources (option 3).
Planning recommended option 3 as the least burdensome approach that still allows review of project-specific impacts. "Option 3 seemed like the best option," the presenter said, noting it preserves flexibility for landowners while providing a pathway to demonstrate compliance.
Commissioners questioned costs for applicants, whether the county's small number of current flood-insurance policies would be jeopardized by noncompliance, and the downstream scope of the Species Act considerations (how local stream work might affect salmon runs and, indirectly, orca populations). The planning presenter said many technical details remain unclear and that counties across Oregon are seeking clarification and, in some cases, pushing back through congressional contacts.
A commissioner moved to adopt option 3 and a second was recorded. The transcript of this session does not include a final recorded roll-call vote on that motion.
Next steps: Staff suggested they'd track final FEMA guidance, clarify implications for county flood-insurance policyholders, and return with actions or code updates if a formal interim measure is adopted.
