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Vol. 3, No. 40 VoIce of Western Morgan C~Un _<C".>_ ';.:"::'H:":: PubIl.s.hed in WlgglIN, Coi01'lld~' : :'~2ee"~ Wiggins removed from flood plain \Vi!-:~ins :\1a~'or Phyllis Pennington lurns over the nrst shovel or dirt on ,\prll 21, 19tH to ~t the wheels In Illotlon for the ~movlll of Wlggtn.s !'rom the nood plain. Wiggins 15 officially removed from the flood plain, town officials anncunced today. The Federal Emergency ~anagement Agency has classed most of Wiggins as Zone B; out of the Kiowa Creek flood way and protected by a man-made struCtur~. A small area west of the lumber yard was nOl removed from {he flood plain due to Internal drainage and possible pondmg problems. Wiggins Town :V1anager John Holdren noted. The new clasSification will eJimln:,He the need for fiood Insurance on federal loans and several [Own building reS[[lCtlOns can be lifted: Holdren was pleased with the OUlwmc. "This shows what --=......--~. - . "'II ' . ~. . .. ; .'.':~':";~t Heavy equipm~nt work... th~ ground west or Wijij[in.i to build b I~'v~r.. Wurk W;&." cumpleted on tho: projecT in 19& i1nd WiKgins ....liS ~mov(d rrom the nuod plain dt:Signation by FE:\IA this month. Photos Courtesy or John Holi:h~ll can be accomplished by the coopera:'.,In of stated, federal. and local agencies, H he said. ~l feel like we can face the future with confidence." said Mayor Phyllis Pennington who was instrumental in organizing the flood control project. "Economically, it will eliminate the fact that people have to purchase flood insurance and give propeny ilS real value. This will provide a savings for the residents who are here and hopefully wi\( allow for more growth. Economic developmcm had definitely been stymied before." "There's a lot of talk with the new airport being close to Wiggins that this area could grow," added Holdren. "We now have the owonunity." The future looks brighter continued Holdren. "It .... II] make it easier to work on our comprehensive plan a.nli rezoning and continue OUI drainage studies." On the lighte~ side, Mayor Pennington was glad !hat there_ would be no mor~. flood mu.d tl> clean up. She recalled what II job it was foHowing the '35 and '73 floods. In 1935 and 1973 the KiowH Creek, located west of Wiggins, flooded the town. Severc~ damage to businesses ;md residences was reponed. Following the 1973 flood Wiggins was declared a !loot! plain by the federal economk ;md :1 severe economic hardship c;(isted fOr the communit;' following that decision. COni. on Page;! See Rood plain designation Ii fte<l EXHIBIT 2 ~~r ".',;. 'b( i~1,,!:i~l~i1B~~~~::~~~~ Flood plain designation lifted Cant from Page 1 Mayor Pennington then initiated a plan to remote the potential threat of flood from the town. In 1976 the Anny Corp of Engineers concluded that the economil;s of a levee control project were unfavorable, the benefil/cost rates equating 0,38 so further studies were termmalecl The town was: given six months to comply by enacting a flood plain management ordinance:, This was accomp. Iished and was 10 have a dire effect upon the rown, Enforcing the requIlT-d regulations curtailed building, thus growth became almost impossUJJe. . The lawn continued to pursue all the possibilities concerning flood plain removal and in 1985 Wiggins was granted an Emergency Impact AssistallC-e Grant from the Slate ofColcxado and the flood control project bel"". TIle town now :sundJ M new cnnsroads, wilh plans to review their long range: development in hope of participating in some of the economic developments being planned (or thi! area, Mayor PenningtOn said,