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Mason County removes county‑imposed floodway on Skokomish River, adopts FEMA mapping
Summary
County staff recommended removing a county‑level floodway overlay for the Skokomish River because it duplicates FEMA mapping; the board approved amendments that will rely on FEMA floodway/floodplain maps plus the county’s channel migration zone and other development standards.
Mason County commissioners voted to amend county code to remove a county‑imposed floodway for the Skokomish River and instead rely on FEMA‑mapped floodway/floodplain designations combined with local channel migration and critical area safeguards.
Kell Rowan, planner with Mason County Community Development, explained staff’s review with public works, the Mason Conservation District and FEMA. Rowan said that after adopting FEMA‑amended flood maps in 2019 the county retained an additional county‑imposed layer that staff now considers redundant. Removing the overlay will allow property owners and rebuilding homeowners to work with the FEMA maps and the county’s existing building standards (elevation, flood vents and channel migration protections) rather than an extra county layer.
Several residents supported the change. Dave Craig, who lives along the North Fork of the Skokomish River, said the amendments would remove onerous restrictions that had impeded reconstruction and small improvements, such as installing backup generators. Tana Morehead, public affairs specialist for the Small Business Administration’s disaster assistance program, noted SBA resources are available to homeowners and small businesses affected by the December 2025 storm and offered outreach materials.
The commissioners voted to approve the code amendments.
Why it matters: Aligning county regulation with FEMA reduces duplicative permitting layers for floodplain property owners while maintaining protections through FEMA standards and channel migration regulations. The change may facilitate rebuilding and recovery for flood‑impacted residents while preserving technical safeguards.
Next steps: Staff will publish the ordinance changes and integrate the amendments into the county’s development code and guidance for property owners in affected valleys.
