Astoria adopts permit-by-permit approach to meet FEMA pre-implementation habitat requirements

Staff briefed the council on FEMA’s pre-implementation compliance measures tied to the Endangered Species Act, which require municipalities to ensure ‘‘no net loss’’ of floodplain functions, storage, water quality and riparian vegetation for affected projects. Associate Planner Amanda Perrin presented maps showing the special flood-hazard areas (Youngs Bay waterfront, port, downtown and Alderbrook) and explained three options: prohibit new development, adopt FEMA’s model ordinance (still in flux), or require a permit-by-permit habitat assessment until final guidance is available.

Perrin said the permit-by-permit option provides usable templates and guidance for applicants and staff and noted mitigation-ratio examples FEMA supplied. Councilors asked how assessments would be reviewed and whether federal permits already issued to port-related overwater work would affect the need for additional assessments; staff said FEMA would receive and review assessments and that many large port projects likely already pursue federal permits that include ESA considerations. Councilor Brownson moved to adopt the permit-by-permit option to meet FEMA’s pre-implementation deadline; the council approved the staff recommendation.

The motion directs staff to notify FEMA of the city’s chosen interim approach, apply permit-level habitat assessment procedures for floodplain projects, and continue work toward a permanent local code update consistent with FEMA’s final model ordinance.