Planning Commission to Consider Amendment to the La Plata County Land Use Code, Chapter 78, "Floods"

Durango, CO – The La Plata County Planning and Building Departments are pleased to announce the completion of a four-year Floodplain Map Modification Project which included digital conversion of existing floodplain maps, incorporation of new and existing floodplain data, and creation of approximate flood hazard zones for the La Plata, lower Animas, and Florida Rivers in La Plata County.  Also included in the Floodplain Map Modification Project was the complete re-study of Vallecito Creek north of Vallecito Reservoir.

As part of the completion of the project, on June 10, 2010 at 6:00 p.m., the La Plata County Planning Commission will review the project and consider changes to La Plata County’s floodplain management regulation, Chapter 78 of the La Plata County Land Use Code, “Floods.”  The changes within Chapter 78 will include adoption of new maps and amendments required to remain a participating jurisdiction in the National Flood Insurance Program. After consideration by the Planning Commission, the amendments will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners.

La Plata County’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program ensures that county residents qualify for flood insurance underwritten by FEMA.  To remain part of the National Flood Insurance Program, local governments are required to adopt regulations that meet or exceed FEMA’s minimum requirements.  In addition to providing the minimum requirements, FEMA also assists local governments by promulgating Flood Insurance Studies and associated Flood Insurance Rate Maps for each participating local government. These maps assist local property owners, insurance agencies and financial institutions in determining flood hazard zones, and they provide technical, hydrological data that is used to administer flood plain management regulations and assure compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program. 

In May 2006, La Plata County began the effort to improve the County’s floodplain maps with $242,000 in funding from FEMA (80%) and the Colorado Water Conservation Board (20%).  New technology and aerial mapping processes have created better accuracy in determining the limits and depths of flood waters in the study area.  After several public meetings and a public comment and appeal period, the flood plain maps developed for La Plata County will become effective on August 19, 2010.

Both “redlned"  and “clean”  versions of the revised Chapter 78 can be viewed on the La Plata County website on the Building Department heading under Building Codes at http://www.co.laplata.co.us/departments_and_elected_officials/building/building_code/floodplain_mapping.  The new floodplain maps can be viewed on the County’s Interactive GIS mapping web site, ArcIMS at http://arcims.laplata.co.us/laplataWEBSITE/. 

For additional information, please contact Butch Knowlton, Building Department Director at(970) 382-6250.

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