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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2008)
vernonia’s voice community How High Is Too High? By Jill Hult, Columbia County Flood Relief Joel Haugen’s Running for US Congress! september 09 2008 Elevation is one way to protect a home from future flooding but two common ques- tions, “How high?” and “How much?” can vary greatly between homes and must be By Scott Laird answered on a case by case basis. Joel Haugen is not your usual politician. Under FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, elevation is one of the three In fact, he’s not really a politician at all. And choices available to homeowners whose homes have been “substantially damaged.” The that’s really the point- even though he’s running city or county are required to send letters declaring homes substantially damaged when they have determined that the flood damaged more than half the home’s value. Although for US Congress in Oregon’s 1st Congressio- elevating the homes is expensive, it will help the owner obtain cheaper flood insurance if nal District against long time incumbent David the home is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) or Zone A on FEMA’s Flood Wu. A self-described “troublemaker,” Haugen is Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). “How high?” is answered by FEMA, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) running because he is a concerned citizen and regulations and by the City of Vernonia or Columbia County’s ordinances. To be in com- because he doesn’t believe that today’s “career pliance with NFIP regulations, a house in Zone A that was substantially damaged must politicians” are serving their constituents. He be elevated so that the lowest floor is at or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). The says he wants to do something positive and Joel Haugen is running for US Congress in Oregon’s FEMA recommendation is to have at least one (1) foot of freeboard above the BFE. Lo- hopefully stir the pot. Haugen was running as a Republican, but 1st Congressional District cal governments can require more but not less than FEMA’s requirements. Columbia County’s ordinance includes one (1) foot minimum above the Flood of he’s wasn’t your usual Republican. Haugen Record (FOR) and the City of Vernonia has adopted a three (3) feet minimum above withdrew his acceptance of the GOP nomination on Friday August 29th, and asked the secretary of state to list him on the November ballot as the Independent Party’s BFE or one (1) foot minimum above the FOR. A surveyor must determine the home’s current elevation and the highest water mark. nominee. Haugen had gone to court to win the right to be listed on the ballot as both Using these data, the city or county can determine how high a home must be elevated. a Republican and Independent party candidate. But a Marion County judge ruled Typically, an engineer assists to make sure that the new foundation is adequate. For most against that plan. folks, price is the deciding factor. Homeowners must bring the survey and engineering Haugen claims to be a “Traditional Republican.” “Balancing business data to a contractor to get a bid for the work. Once that is in hand, each homeowner must and labor, conservation of the environment for the future, tax equity, and determine if it is even reasonable to rebuild. balancing the budget. These are the common threads that have been the “How much will it cost?” depends on a number of variables such as size of house, platforms of the Republican Party since it was started in 1854,” said Haugen contractor selected, if you have flood insurance, etc. and there are a number of possible during a recent interview with Vernonia’s Voice. “The Republican party at its resources to fund an elevation project such as insurance, Increased Cost of Compliance roots has a progressive history. Today it’s a socially conservative party, and (ICC), Hazard Mitigation Funds, and personal resources. The Columbia County Flood I don’t agree with that.” Relief Center will assist a homeowner in this evaluation and through the steps below. Oh, and by the way, he says he will vote for Barack Obama. 1. Once a home has been determined substantially damaged, the homeowner can Haugen believes all of our elected officials should be working in the ask their flood insurance company to begin the ICC process. ICC can give a ho- best interests of our nation and should be serving the citizens - not special meowner up to $30,000 to elevate, move or demolish their home. interests, self-interests or party interests. “And I don’t see that happening,” 2. Information on the home must be submitted to the State Historic Preservation he says. Office (SHPO) for review. The review will determine if the home has historic Haugen grew up as a Republican, registered as an Independent as a young value. Assuming the home is not historic, the owner should obtain an elevation man and just recently re-registered as a Republican. He has had a varied and certificate to document the home’s current elevation. interesting career path. He spent four years in the Army, has worked for the 3. The next step is to obtain a Floodplain Development Permit. This permit will Port of Portland, been a geographer, worked for Bonneville Power and a de- establish the minimum finished floor height and the lowest mechanical height. fense contractor, and taught high school science for ten years. Consult with the Building Department at the City or County for requirements So what would Haugen hope to accomplish if elected? His list of five such as number and size of vents, crawl space fill, engineering requirements, and prime issues: 1) A sane energy policy - created by converting to clean en- construction plan documents so your contractor knows what to bid. The Flood ergy over the next ten years which he believes is absolutely possible; 2) Relief Center staff help prepare bid requests to contractors. Tax reform - the current system is hopelessly complicated and needs to be 4. Owners should then obtain written construction bids. It is recommended that simplified and made functional; 3) Education reform - we are not investing owners obtain three bids. in the next generation and are absolutely failing our kids, and he would like 5. Next an owner must arrange financing. Working with owners to complete the to encourage a national service program; 4) National Health Care - we need funding for this work is a core mission of the Flood Relief Staff. Funding can a responsible government that provides quality and affordable health care; come from many different sources and can often be used in combination with each and 5) Foreign Policy - we have a disastrous track record of foolish foreign other. For an elevation, FEMA requires that a project meet a Benefit Cost Analy- policy since WWII; we need to converse with our adversaries, not throw sis (BCA). This is a complex calculation, done by FEMA, that takes into account rocks at them. many factors such as cost of clean-up/repair and even disruption time and added “I don’t believe the framers of the constitution envisioned a career set expenses. The project’s BCA must show FEMA that they are likely to avoid one of politicians running the government,” said Haugen. “And I don’t think the dollar in future spending for every dollar spent to elevate the home. The Flood career politicians are serving our country.” Relief and FEMA are working to combine several projects together to establish an He knows it is unlikely he will succeed in his bid to win a Congressional aggregate BCA for seat, but he hopes to be an agent for change, a catalyst. “If we get enough up to thirty proj- people involved and engaged, we can make change. But change takes a lot ects. This will al- of people, and it can be a daunting challenge.” low FEMA to el- You can learn more about Joel Haugen’s run for Congress and his pro- evate nearly twice gressive, non-partisan plan by going to www.joelhaugenforcongress.com as many homes. 6. N e x t , FEMA must ap- prove the individual project. 7. F i n a l l y, all the funding doc- uments must be ex- ecuted. At this point the work can com- mence. Columbia County BEST BARGAIN IN THE AREA! Flood Relief stresses HIGH & DRY in '07. Low insurance. Well- U.S. Bank gives you all the small business banking options you need the importance of maintained 4bed/2bth home. Gorgeous kitchen, to help you achieve your goals. Our bankers are ready to provide the Pet Supplies, Livestock Feed & Pet Grooming meeting with a case- Large fenced yard, Central Air & 1yr Home right product or ser vice to fit your needs, including payroll and Warranty. 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