BOARD01545

• Board Meeting Date: 7/23/2002
• Description: Fema Map Modernization Implementation Plan Update
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

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STATE OF COLORADO

Colorado Water Conservation Board

Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phooe: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
www.cwcb.state.co.us

MEMORANDUM

Bill Owens
Governor

TO:

Colorado Water Conservation Board Members

Greg E. Walcher
Executive Director

FROM:

Larry Lang, Chief, Flood Protection Section
Brian Hyde, Flood Protection
Tom Browning, Flood Protection

Rod Kuharich
CWCB Director

Dan McAuIitre
Deputy Director

DATE: July 10,2002

SUBJECT: Agenda Item 12 - July 23-24, 2002 CWCB Meeting in Pueblo, Colorado
FEMA Map Modernization Implementation Plan Update

Introduction
At the March 2002 Board meeting staff presented information to the Board regarding floodplain
mapping activities in Colorado and the proposed significant increase in federal funding for such
activities. President Bush in his proposed FY '03 budget has provided more than $300 milIion
for floodplain mapping nationwide. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is
the lead federal agency for coordinating efforts related to the floodplain mapping activities.
FEMA has asked each state to prepare a "Map Modernization Implementation Plan" (MMIP)
that would outline the floodplain mapping needs, priorities, and estimated costs for updating the
State's flood hazard maps. If the President's budget gets approved by Congress, Colorado wilI
be in a strong position to reap the benefits from those federal funds (federal funding requires a
State and local cost share that has yet to be determined). The CWCB could substantiaIly address
Colorado's floodplain mapping needs modernize and update existing (outdated) maps, and
address thousands of miles of unmapped floodplains.

Discussion
In a letter dated April 17, 2002 from FEMA Region VIII Director, Mr. Dave Maurstad, the State
of Colorado was asked to participate in the preparation of a state MMIP for Colorado. The
CWCB is currently utilizing a $50,000 grant from FEMA for preparation ofthe MMIP, and has
contracted with a consulting team of Moser Associates and PBS&J to assist CWCB staff with
completion of the plan. Colorado's MMIP will be completed in 4 main steps:
. Outreach and Initial Data Collection (completed by FEMA)
. Flood Hazard Analysis (submitted to FEMA on July 15, 2002)
. Plan Development (to be submitted to FEMA on Aug 15, 2002)
. Finalization of the Plan (to be completed by September 15, 2002)

Flood Protection. Water Supply Planning and Finance. Stream and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection. Conservation and Drought Planning