FLOOD04156

• County: Statewide
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan for Colorado 409
• Date: 2/1/1998
• Prepared For: State of Colorado
• Prepared By: CWCB
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Flood Mitigation/Flood Warning/Watershed Restoration

199B - Colorado Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan (4091

ing 50% have to be obtained by the owner from
another source.

and the Colorado Association of Stormwater and
Floodplain Managers.

2. The current interest charge for state funds is a 3.2.1.2.2
minimum of 5 percent.

3. The maximum payback period for these funds is
40 years.

In 1995, the Colorado Water Conservation Board
directed staff to utilize and make available to eligible
applicants. 5 percent of the annual revenue to the
construction fund for flood control projects and associ-
ated activities. The 5 percent loan funding is subject
to the standard requirements of the construction fund.
In 1995 and 1996 the total funding available was
$600,000 each year. Both years, the City of Fort
Collins borrowed a total of $900,000 ($400,000 and
$500,000, respectively) for proposed flood control ac-
tivities. This year (1998), the City of Sterling has a
loan request pending for proposed flood control im"
provements.

The board also responds to state or federal flood
disasters at the request of the Colorado Office of
Emergency Management and local governments in-
cluding preparation of required post-disaster drainage
surveys and flood hazard mitigation plans. A minimal.
amount of funding is available each year for planning
grants to develop local flood hazard mitigation plans.
The funding is made available from the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency through the CWCB-
administered Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) pro-
gram. The board is also the primary planning agency
for flood hazard mitigation activities. By Executive
Order 8504 dated October 1, 19n, the board is the
designated state agency for the coordination of the
National Flood Insurance Program.

In recent years, the staff of the Colorado Water Con-
servation Board has met periodically with selected
state agencies whose wort< included aspects of fiood
hazard mitigation. One purpose of those meetings is
to determine how these state agencies are implement-
ing the Govemo~s Executive Orders on fioodplaln
management and on the National Flood Insurance
Program.

As Colorado state govemment moves toward the 21 ~
Century, the CWCB is taking a leadership role in flood
hazard mitigation. Such leadership is embodied by
current initiatives to: 1) develop a statewide stream
corridor stewardship program; 2) develop hydrology
guidelines for estimating 1 DO-year flood flows for ap-
proximate floodplains; 3) integrate mUlti-objective
management and watershed approaches to flood-
related activities; and 4) formulate policy and direction
for flood hazard mitigation through involvement in
several state and national professional organizations
such as the Association of State Floodplain Managers

Colorado Geological Survey

The Colorado Geological Survey (CGS) completed the
Colorado Landslide Hazard Mitigation Plan in 1988.
The CGS continues to respond within existing pro-
grams to floodplain and geologic hazard management
goals. Salient points of continuing activities, as well
as those that have been eliminated or curtailed, are
described below.

Block grant requests are now screened by the CGS by
title and location. Only those thought to have serious
potential geologic hazard or floodpiain problems are
reviewed in detail.

The CGS continues to neview some State Building
Division activities and all Colorado Department of
Health referrals for review of sewage treatment plant
sites. Because sewage treatment plants are frequently
located on or near floodplains, careful location and
engin_ed protection are frequently needed. These
i. reviews are a powerful tool for implementation of
i
hazard management.

The CGS also reviews all subdivision applications
from unincorporated areas. This is a requirement of
SB 35 and it is now operated under a cash-funded fee
system. These reviews provide an excellent opportu-
nity for hazard review and recommendations for local
governments. When geologic hazard problems are
identified, CGS staff recommend plat changes and/or
mitigation measures. If probable floodplain problerns
are identified CGS staff recommend delineations of
the 1 Oo-year 'floodplain for review by the CWCB and
any necessary changes in the plat or other initiation.

The CGS has assisted local governments and their
staffs on education goals. There is a continuing need
for such in-service training because of the relatively
high turnover of local government officials and staff.
The CGS recognizes the authority of local govern-
ments to regulate land use within their jurisdiction, but
if serious problems are evident, CGS will inform the
local government of the situation to be sure they are
aware of it and the need to address it.

3.2.1.2.3

Division of Water Resources

The Division of Water Resources, primarily through its
Dam Safety Branch, reviews, approves, and files plans
and specifications for dams before construction as
required by Section 37-87-105, CRS, as amended.
Finished stnuctures must be approved before storage
of water is allowed. The concern is for the safety of
downstream residents and property. The Dam Safety
Branch's program is approximately 100 years old.

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Chapter 3 . 4

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