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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 22, 2018)
SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2018 | 7A PHOTOS BY MARK BRENNAN/SIUSLAW NEWS FEMA has worked to update the area’s floodplain maps. They are available to view at www.ci.florence.or.us and msc.fema.gov. Public comments are due by January 2019. Cel 70 ebrat + Y ing ear s! Hoberg’s Complete Auto Repair www.hobergsautorepair.com New Service d Offere FREE Taxi Ride via: River Cities Taxies Florence City Limits Only From our shop to your home or work 345 Hwy. 101 • P.O. Box 357 Florence, OR 97439-0012 541-997-2413 Kevin McMullen 3rd Generation Owner hobergsautorepair@gmail.com Serving Your Auto Needs Since 1945 DENTURE SERVICES INC. LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED Open 4 days a week! 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His goal was to introduce resi- dents to the new techniques and scientific tools that the agency believes will more accurately as- sist in the determinization of ar- eas likely to be flooded and the degree to which these parcels would be inundated. “The main purpose of the presentation was to provide an overview of the flood insurance study update — with respect to the purpose, hazard analysis, timelines pertaining to the due process steps and anticipated completion — as well as oppor- tunities and requirements to incorporate any additional anal- ysis or data,” Ratté wrote in an email to the Siuslaw News. New maps have been created using data gathered over the last year using LIDAR, a technique that uses laser light and sophis- ticated radar, to map coastal and riverine water systems. At the meeting, large pa- per maps and two-sided paper handouts with multiple flood plain and river watershed maps, as well as and digital property maps shared on laptops, were There's no place like a freshly washed home. Call to find out how we can help with your fall maintenance projects! 541.999.4033 cubic ft employed by numerous present- ers from the City of Florence, Lane County and FEMA. “Simply, previous mapping is out of date in areas, and we had a commitment and opportunity to bring in partners to use up- dated data and methodologies to better understand and depict the floodplains more accurate- ly,” Ratté said. The last update to Florence’s floodplain maps occurred in 1999. The presentation also served to provide guidance to residents who will be affected by the changes that will result from the implementation of these newly mapped flood-prone areas. For local property owners, these results may directly im- pact insurance rates and the ability to obtain insurance. Florence Planning Director Wendy FarleyCampbell was the point person for Florence’s par- ticipation in the forum. “Florence, Dunes City and Lane County jurisdictions are the implementing agencies for the federal flood plain maps, and the resulting regulation of construction in and around the flood plain,” she said. “In order for the properties to be eligible for flood insurance and fed- eral mortgages, jurisdictions must participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. And to participate, we must have floodplain regulations. The next step for the city is a revision of our flood plain development policies to be compliant with any new state and federal regu- lations.” Ratté agreed with FarleyCa- mpbell’s assessment of the situa- tion and pointed out the reason- ing behind the updates. He said the study was focused on two primary needs: to up- date the coastal flood hazard analysis and the river flood risk along the western portion of the county. In the end, he hoped up- dated analysis would lead to the implementation of best practice policies which would result in fewer unexpected ramifications from a flood. “This project was funded through FEMA’s Risk MAP program, which does not end with updating floodplain maps.” Ratté said. “The key elements for this phase are for proper- ty owners to better understand the flood risk and potential impacts to their properties and then to start asking questions about what can be done to pro- tect these areas. Future steps will include collaborating with the local governments, state agen- cies and other federal agencies to explore options to mitigate vulnerable communities from floods as well as other natural hazards. We look forward to be- ing involved in continuing those discussions.” One of the terms heard most throughout Ratté’s presentation was “mitigation,” which Merri- am-Webster defines as “to make less severe or painful.” That is the perfect description of the work being done by Ratté and his colleagues. Ratté, FarleyCampbell and their teams are working to warn landowners before the dangers of a tsunami, earthquake or other severe weather condition occurs. This will hopefully allow for those determined to be at risk to plan for proper insurance and to make other emergency prepara- tions. According to FEMA’s website, “Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and prop- erty by lessening the impact of disasters.” The agency is now including state, tribal and community en- tities as part of long-term mit- igation efforts to create a com- prehensive plan for dealing with natural disasters. FEMA is also developing Florence residents can participate in Recycling Round-up strategies for protecting people and property from future haz- ard events. The agency points to mitigation plans as key to break- ing the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction and repeated damage. As part of the discussion of flooding, the presentation also looked at the rules and criteria for qualifying for and purchas- ing flood insurance The National Flood Insurance Program aims to reduce the im- pact of flooding on private and public structures. It does so by providing affordable insurance to property owners, renters and businesses and by encouraging communities to adopt and en- force floodplain management regulations. These efforts help mitigate the effects of flooding on new and improved structures. Over- all, the program reduces the so- cio-economic impact of disas- ters by promoting the purchase and retention of general risk insurance, but also of flood in- surance, specifically. For more information on the updated Risk MAP, contact the City of Florence Planning De- partment. The updated maps are avail- able to view at www.ci.florence. or.us/planning/fema-coastal- floodplain-map-update-open- house. According to the City of Florence, the revised maps are available until January 2019 for public review and comment. Property owners are encour- aged to review the revised flood map to identify their property’s flood risk. This information will empower property owners to make more informed decisions about their safety and finances. Additional information is available by calling the FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX) at 877-336-2627 or by visiting FEMA’s Flood Map Ser- vice Center at msc.fema.gov. How can Florence residents participate in re- cycling of some of their plastic? Precious Plastics Florence, EMAC, FOR Environmental Team and the Climate Alliance are working together with the Master Recyclers to make Lane County’s Sept. 30 Recycling Round-Up in Eugene happen locally. The collection of #2, #4 and #5 plastics that have been thor- oughly cleaned, and clear of both labels and adhesive, can be brought to Michelle La Blanc’s home here in Florence before Thursday, Sept. 27. The plas- tic should be in boxes or paper bags only. Call LeBlanc at 541-997-1275 for more information or to ar- range for a drop-off time. Dunes City seeks applicants Dunes City is seeking appli- cants for appointment to a Citi- zen Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC will review and pro- vide recommendations on pro- posed changes to Dunes City’s Flood Damage Prevention Code, Chapter 153 of Title XV. The proposed code changes are in response to new FEMA requirements and adoption of a new Flood Insurance Rate Map for Dunes City. Applicants must complete an Application for Ap- pointive Office form available at Dunes City Hall or from www. dunescity.com/permits-and- forms. Applications may be mailed or delivered to Dunes City Hall, 82877 Spruce St. in Westlake, or planning@dunescityor.com.