Floodplain administrator: county must update ordinance or risk losing federal program; public hearing to be scheduled

Glacier County’s floodplain administrator told commissioners that the county’s floodplain ordinance dates to the late 1970s or early 1980s and needs updating to reflect FEMA’s more detailed flood-insurance-rate mapping.

The administrator said state officials have been persistent about the update and noted the county’s current maps remain older flood-hazard boundary maps adopted in place of newer rate maps. ‘‘The state's been hammering me to try to update our ordinance,’’ the administrator said, and warned that failure to adopt a modern ordinance could jeopardize the county’s participation in the federal flood-insurance program.

The administrator described practical implications for property owners: if a federally backed loan touches a mapped floodplain, the owner typically must carry flood insurance unless they can demonstrate their parcel is out of the floodplain. Mapping ambiguities and the county’s current map format can create unexpected insurance requirements for owners in Browning and along local creeks such as Railroad Creek.

Commissioners asked about timing and support; the administrator said they will meet with county planning staff to review a state-provided template and recommended holding a public hearing within roughly a month to satisfy notice requirements and allow the board to consider adoption. The administrator also noted that the state is moving toward a fully digital inspection and data program that counties must adopt to remain eligible for some funding and program participation.

Next steps: county staff will work with the administrator and Clerk & Recorder’s office to schedule public notice and a hearing; the administrator will forward a template ordinance and related materials for staff review.