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Staff says FEMA’s Buffalo River map revision likely to take effect in October, lowering flood risk for many property owners
Summary
Planning staff told the commission FEMA issued a letter of map revision for the Buffalo River study area; after a 90‑day appeal period the revision could become effective in October and would remove or lower base flood elevations for many properties, reducing floodplain constraints for some owners.
Planning staff updated the commission on a long‑running Buffalo River flood insurance study, reporting that FEMA has issued a letter of map revision (LOMR) and that the new mapping is expected to become effective after the statutory notice and appeal period.
Staff said the revised mapping will likely be beneficial to most property owners in the study area, resulting in either removal from the floodplain or a lowering of the base flood elevation for structures. FEMA’s notice and a 90‑day appeal period must conclude before the change becomes effective; staff estimated the revision could take effect in October once the required public notices and appeal window have closed.
Commission members asked about modeling methods and whether the Fargo‑Morehead diversion project could affect the results. Staff said the Buffalo River study used updated modeling and that diversion‑related conditional map revisions are modeled separately; staff offered to bring diversion authority representatives to a future meeting to explain potential long‑term effects.
The commission did not take action on the map revision itself; staff plans to return with formal presentations when federal timelines are final.
