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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />· The "existing conditions" delineation is a legal document used to detennine who <br />has to buy flood insurance and who does not. <br /> <br />Reasons for Desilroatinl!: the "Future Conditions" Floodnlain Delineation <br />There are also reasons for simultaneously designating a "future conditions" floodplain delineation: <br /> <br />· The "future conditions" floodplain delineation depicts the floodplain as it will be <br />when all of the future urbanization that can reasonably be predicted has occurred. <br />· The "future conditions" delineation serves as the local land use regulatory tool for <br />keeping new development safely out of the lOO-year floodplain. <br />· The "future conditions" delineation points out long-term problem areas where <br />some kind of flood hazard mitigation (structural or non-structural) will be needed, <br /> <br />The Role of Watershed Master Plans <br />The third important piece of information, the watershed master plan, should also be considered: <br /> <br />. Master plans show the specific flood hazard reduction improvements called for in <br />each watershed. <br />. Master plans show what the future conditions IOO-year floodplain will look like <br />when the improvements have been implemented, <br />. Master plans specify which improvements should be implemented at which time <br />to protect specific downstream floodprone areas from the effects of specific <br />upstream urbanization, <br /> <br />Is There a Conflict in Desil!Datinl!: Two Floodnlain Delineations for One Stream Reach? <br />The concept of having two IOO-year floodplains for one stream reach is confusing, at least on the <br />surface. If the effects of future urbanization in changing a watershed's hydrologic characteristics are <br />examined, the concept of two floodplains for one stream reach can be less confusing, Two <br />fundamental notions about urbanizing watersheds should be understood: <br /> <br />I. Because of urbanization, a watershed will generate more water in the future than it <br />does now, and , <br />2. It is wise to plan ahead so the future does not bring flood events that were not <br />anticipated. <br /> <br />Likewise, a fundamental notion about mandatory flood insurance needs to be understood: <br /> <br />It is unfair to require flood insurance for property in a floodplain that does not <br />currently exist, FEMA's legal staffhas so stated, <br /> <br />The possible conflict in designating the two delineations can be eliminated by considering two factors: <br /> <br />I. The watersheds under study when two different delineations are prepared can <br />reasonably be expected to change hydrologically in the future, due to urbanization, <br />and <br />