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Town alerted to FEMA flood-map changes and New York wetlands rule updates; board discusses notifying property owners
Summary
Officials said FEMA's recent remapping for St. Lawrence County and new state wetlands comment rules could change which properties are in flood or wetland areas; staff recommended notifying affected owners and offered to produce mailing labels for outreach.
Town building/code staff briefed the joint board on March 12 about two water-related regulatory changes that could affect private property: an ongoing FEMA remapping of waterways in St. Lawrence County and a recent change to New York State wetlands review that gives the state 90 days to comment on projects within wetland areas.
Mike (building/code) reported the FEMA mapping process (described in the meeting transcript as the "thema" mapping) has been updated countywide but showed differences from local flood experiences after recent storms. He said the program opened a 30-day public-comment window beginning Feb. 25 and that some properties may be removed from, and some added to, identified flood zones. "People aren't going to like that," he said, noting the maps appear to reflect older baselines and that recent storm impacts have expanded flood extents.
Cindy offered to generate mailing labels for property owners affected by the FEMA/thema changes so the town can notify residents directly. The board discussed whether property owners receive direct notifications from the mapping authority; staff said the mapping system provides online tools but direct-mail notice by the town could be helpful. Mike also outlined that projects already permitted are grandfathered under the wetlands rule changes, but new projects could face a 90-day state comment period that may delay work.
No formal policy was adopted; staff were asked to compile lists of affected parcels and provide outreach options.
