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Three Forks wins FEMA-backed flood mitigation funding; design work moves forward
Summary
A Great West engineer told the Three Forks City Council the city secured a FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance grant with a state match, bringing roughly $5.5 million for Jefferson River floodplain mitigation; design and environmental work are complete and construction is targeted for 2026.
A Great West engineer told the Three Forks City Council on Dec. 10 that the city has secured federal and state grant funding to advance a Jefferson River floodplain mitigation project.
"The City has been awarded a Flood Mitigation Assistance grant through FEMA, the award came out in October," said Jeremiah Theys, Great West natural resource engineer. "Since that time, the State Legislature set aside Community Resiliency Funds which are made to match FEMA grants. The State matched the other 25% so essentially you have $5.5 million in grant funding!"
Theys said the project has completed required environmental review, including a biological assessment focused on the endangered Ute's Ladies Tresses orchid, and that the design team has coordinated with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) because the project will encroach on highway right-of-way and wetland mitigation areas. He said the team will submit a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) to FEMA to confirm that the project will substantially reduce the floodplain and remove the floodway designation before construction begins.
Theys said his team hopes for late-2025 construction but described 2026 as a more realistic target because of remaining tasks: easement negotiations with private landowners, utility approvals and MDT review. He added the project is expected to lower flood insurance premiums for affected properties and free up areas for potential development once the floodplain is reduced.
The council approved a contract amendment for final design and bidding services on the project — Task Order #15, Amendment #1 with Great West Engineering, for $558,600 — as part of a consent agenda motion that passed unanimously. Councilman Gene Townsend moved the consent agenda; Councilman George Chancellor seconded.
What happens next: staff will continue design and permitting work, pursue easement agreements and advance the CLOMR submission to FEMA before beginning construction work.
