Recent and Upcoming Floodplain Management Activities
Community Rating System (CRS)
In 2009, the city plans to enroll in the Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary federal incentive program. This program rewards sound floodplain management with discounts on flood insurance premiums. The city had its Community Assistance Visit (CAV) from Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Water, on March 14, 2008. The CAV is the initial step in applying for the CRS. The city received a CAV response from ODNR requesting more information on July 14, 2008, and submitted the requested information on August 8, 2008. The city received a final letter from ODNR on March 26, 2009, stating that we are in compliance with the NFIP. The city may now apply to be part of the CRS, and must have our application submitted by Sept. 26, 2009.
Map Modernization
Athens County has received its letter of final determination (LFD) from FEMA, and our new Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Map will be in effect as of Dec. 18, 2009. The city may choose to regulate according to the new mapping prior to this date but after June 18, 2009.
Floodplain Regulations Review
In conjunction with the CAV, enrollment in the CRS, and the Map Modernization project, the city is reviewing and updating its floodplain regulations. A task force, comprised of local government, business and private citizen representatives (including an Ohio University representative), met from April 2007 until November 2007 to review floodplain regulations and propose changes to the regulations. These proposed changes were sent to ODNR for review on Jan. 8, 2008. The city received a response from ODNR on July 17, 2008, and has revised regulations as suggested by ODNR and the City's Law Director. The changes will go before Athens City Council in September 2009, after final mapping is completed. Current floodplain regulations are located in the city code, primarily in Title 25, Flood Damage Prevention. Current city code may be viewed here.
Mapping Enhancements
The City of Athens contracted with RJM Engineering to create enhanced floodplain mapping. Approximately 28% of the structures within the City of Athens, or around 1400 structures, are located in a 100-year floodplain. However, all of these structures are not at the same risk of flooding. While FEMA only officially designates a floodway, a 100-year (1% annual chance of flooding), and a 500-year (0.2% annual chance) floodplain on its Flood Insurance Rate Maps, in reality, some areas of the 100-year floodplain are much more likely to flood than others. In order to focus attention on the highest risk areas of the floodplain, the Floodplain Regulations task force decided to create more detailed mapping for the city. This detailed mapping was created by a professional engineer (PE), and delineates 20-year (5% annual chance of flooding), and 50-year (2% annual chance) floodplains. Mapping for this project was completed in August 2009 and is available for review by contacting city floodplain manager Paul Logue at plogue@ci.athens.oh.us.
