Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Floodplain topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Civil engineer warns proposed Westside plan may not protect floodplain
Summary
A civil engineer at the Laramie City Council forum said FEMA and local guidelines cited by staff may not sufficiently prevent increased flood risk; staff described the floodplain/floodway distinction and the engineering review steps that would be required before development.
At the Laramie City Council community forum, civil engineer Sally Patrick said she reviewed FEMA and local rules and is concerned the current guidelines would not safeguard the floodplain if development proceeds near the river channel. "I don't think that this guideline or these guidelines protect the floodplain," Patrick said, distinguishing the floodway (the river channel) from the broader floodplain and warning that some proposed standards may allow construction that could increase flood risk.
City staff responded that the city's floodplain administrator and engineers would evaluate any development plans and that the floodway—described in the discussion as the river channel—generally precludes development. Todd, the city representative, described engineering and plan-administrator reviews: plans would be evaluated by engineering and the plan administrator to ensure they meet drainage and building requirements before any permit would move forward.
The exchange underscored technical gaps the public wants addressed: residents asked whether federal standards (100-year, 500-year events) and local code apply and requested clearer, written clarifications from staff. The council encouraged residents to keep submitting specific questions so staff can provide answers before any land-use decisions proceed.
