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County officials discuss floodplain permitting as FWP plans Cooney Dam bank stabilization
Summary
Floodplain Administrator Aimee Bailey told Carbon County commissioners that FWP applied for a floodplain permit to stabilize banks at Cooney Dam and will likely begin work in spring 2026; Bailey also outlined a new multi-permit application system and the county's options to adopt local regulations amid state remapping.
Carbon County——commissioners discussed floodplain permitting Jan. 22 after Floodplain Administrator Aimee Bailey reported that Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) has applied for a floodplain permit for bank stabilization at Cooney Dam, with work planned for spring 2026.
Bailey told the Board that an encroachment permit will be required to mitigate equipment intrusion into the roadway during construction. She also described a new online permitting system that allows applicants to submit forms for 310 permits, U.S. Army Corps requirements, Floodplain permits and SPA 124 permits through FWP, which she said should streamline review and have a positive effect for local floodplain administration.
The Board discussed ongoing state-level remapping; County Attorney Alex Nixon and Deputy County Attorney Shannon Foley joined the meeting for the conversation. Bailey warned that some locations may not be included in the new state maps but could still be considered for local regulation. She explained that adopting local rules above the general state floodplain guidance would require involvement from DNRC, the commissioners and county legal counsel.
Why it matters: Changes to mapping and permitting procedures can affect which properties require floodplain review and whether county-specific regulations or protections apply. An upcoming FWP stabilization project at Cooney Dam also triggers coordination on encroachment permitting to protect county roads.
Next steps: Staff and legal counsel will continue to monitor state mapping and coordinate permitting for the Cooney Dam project.
