BOARD00774

• Board Meeting Date: 3/10/1998
• Description: Flood Section - 1998 Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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Colorado Water Conservation Board
Department of Natural Resources
721 Centennial Building
1313 Sherman Street
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

STATE OF COLORI\DO

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Roy Romer
Governor
l.:Imes s. lochhe.ild
Executive Director, DNR
Caries C. Lile, P.E.
Oireaor. eWeB

MEMORANDUM

TO: Colorado Water Conservation Board Members

FROM: Larry Lang

DATE: February 27, 1998

SUBJECT: Agenda Item 4a, March 10-11, 1998 Board Meeting-
1998 Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan

BACKGROUND

At our January 28, 1998 Board meeting, staff presented the Board an account of
Colorado's 1997 flood events. There were many tasks associated with the state's
response and recovery operations. In response to the flooding, President Clinton issued a
federal disaster declaration for 13 Colorado counties and their associated municipalities
on August I, 1997. The purpose of the declaration was 1) to make financial assistance
available to the state to recover from flood losses, and 2) to encourage mitigation
activities and projects which will reduce future flood damages in Colorado. A revision of
the state's existing flood hazard mitigation plan was also required.

DISCUSSION

Upon issuance of the declaration, the State of Colorado entered into partnership with the
federal government to undertake activities which would assist local governments in
recovering from devastating flood impacts. In addition, the State agreed to update its
most recent Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan dated January 1985. By law, the revised plan
had to be completed 180 days after the disaster declaration. At the request of the
Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the CWCB took lead agency status in this
endeavor. This was a very important assignment because NO hazard mitigation project
funds could be made available from FEMA without revision of the plan.

The CWCB Flood Control and Floodplain Management Section, in cooperation with the
Colorado Office of Emergency Management and McLaughlin Water Engineers, Ltd.,