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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Funding for Project and Planning Implementation. The single most common need identified in the questionnaire was the need for a mechanism to fund projects. Nearly every respondent said there are stream corridor and watershed needs which cannot be met with current resources. Many respondents suggested that a Statewide Revolving Fund Loan Program be established which could be used in a variety of ways. In addition to creating one or more funding mechanisms for stream corridor projects, an important component of implementation would be to expand the funding opportunities to allow the Board more partnership options with federal agencies, and to facilitate stream restoration activities. Public InformationlTechnical Assistance. There are three very important components to infonnation. The first is data, the second is technical training to interpret the data and make meaningful and wise decisions from that data, and the third is education to implement the data and take advantage of the technical expertise. Much of the data that contributes to current watershed management decisions in the floodplain portion of the watershed consists ofFEMA Flood Insurance Reports. Most of the data and maps were developed in the early 1970's and are lacking detail in many ways. The need to update these data is critical to successfully designing for current development patterns, pIaning for future development activities and preparing for the 21" century. Many communities cited a lack of technical expertise as a key problem in helping to plan and implement stream corridor improvements or stabilization. In addition, the responses indicated a need for educating administrators and landowners on the principals of floodplain management. Polity and Criteria. Several definitions need to be added to the current statutory language for floodplain management activities. These include defining the "base flood" for theJiate floodplain management activities as that flood event with a 100-year return frequency (1 percent chance). This 100-year definition is currently the ,State's regulatory design criteria. It is recommended that "critical facilities" be protected from losses by a 500-year return frequency (0.2 percent chance). "Critical facilities" should be defined as facilities necessary to maintain the health and safety of the public in a community, except for public road systems. In addition, a statewide flood detention policy should be proposed, requiring that increased stonn runoff from new development activities shall be detained and standards should be provided for how that should be accomplished. This action will require establishment of a "baseline hydrologic condition" for the State's basins/watersheds. There is also a need to create a wetland banking/accounting and replacement program to assist in maintaining existing wetland conditions. The banking system would protect the state's existing level of wetlands and provide opportunities for the better management of future development activities. Recommended Attions. A need exists to draft a floodplain management and stream rehabilitation program to provide a planning partnership between landowners and local and state government groups. The program needs a funding methanism for watershed planning activities and project implementation. Based upon the study findings, the project team recommends that a "revolving loan J:und" can best meet the needs of many of the program objectives, and the loan fund was supported by the jteering ~mmittee. :;::: ?