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<br />Michael Ellegood, Chief Engineer and General Manager, Flood Control District of Maricopa <br />County, Arizona <br /> <br />Mr. Ellegood reported as the "man in the field." He shared the following: <br /> <br />· The maps are not adequate; flooding areas are not adequate measures of hazards; erosion and <br />other factors need to be included in floodplain planning. <br /> <br />. Nonstructural mitigation solutions should be promoted where possible. <br /> <br />. Maricopa County is developing a countywide plan for all watersheds in the county. <br />However, successful implementation of these countywide watershed plans requires FEMA's <br />endorsement. <br /> <br />. Strong public education is a major leg of the program. <br /> <br />He also expressed strong skepticism of changes in the Nationwide Permit 26 program; he needs <br />to be able to get Section 404 permits in a timely fashion to maintain flood control facilities. <br /> <br />Phil Oshida, Deputy Director, Wetlands Division, Environmental Protection Agency <br /> <br />Mr. Oshida emphasized the following: <br /> <br />. There is a need for more Federal support and incentives to do watershed planning at the <br />community level to address flooding, environment, and storm water issues as well as foster <br />economic growth. <br /> <br />· Education and outreach should include options for structural solutions to problems and <br />awareness of how actions in other parts of the watershed (e.g., upstream) affect the <br />floodplain. <br /> <br />· Encourage Federal, tribal, and local solutions to increase flood storage. <br /> <br />· FEMA should offer comments on Section 404 permit applications relative to risk and flow <br />issues. FEMA, the Corps, and EP A should develop program guidance that emphasizes the <br />need to avoid and minimize impacts that significantly affect flood risks and floodplain <br />hydrology. <br /> <br />Christopher P. Jones, Chair, Flood Committee, American Society of Civil Engineers <br /> <br />Mr. Jones stated that he believes the most difficult task for local authorities is to prohibit <br />development in floodplain areas. These authorities need accurate information to accomplish this <br />task. In response to the questions that were posed to the attendees prior to the meeting, he <br />offered the following comments: <br /> <br />Floodplain Management Forum <br /> <br />23 <br />