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FEMA floodplain mapping

December 3, 2015 – FEMA public meeting in Glenwood Springs:

The FEMA Consultation Coordinator Officer public meeting was held in December of 2015. The meeting reviewed status of appeals to the draft Floodplain maps. Updated schedules for the FEMA review and adoption process were provided. FEMA also outlined additional studies that were being undertaken for Helmer Gulch (Rifle Village South) and Mitchell Creek.

July 29, 2016 – FEMA meeting in Glenwood Springs:

FEMA conducted an update meeting on the status of several appeals and additional studies that were ongoing. As part of that update FEMA provided a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) tool to address the status of the flood plain mapping update. FAQs

November 2016 – FEMA quarterly update:

To facilitate communication with property owners and affected jurisdictions FEMA has provided an update.

A summary of key topics timeline for the countywide maps:

• Countywide mapping – anticipate revised preliminary maps in November 2016.
• Appeal period will likely be April – July 2017.
• Letter of Final Determination (depending on appeals) is anticipated in August 2017
• The new maps could become effective in February 2018.

Summary of key topics and timelines for specific or new projects:

• Countywide additional aerial photo (LIDAR) is underway and should be completed in March 2017. This is a prerequisite for additional flood plain work on the Colorado River.
• Hydraulics work/study on the Colorado River is anticipated to be contracted in October 2017.
• Risk Assessment work on the Colorado River is schedule to begin in March 2017 after the aerial photo (LIDAR) work is complete.

Additional information is available from:

Dawn Brabenec, P.E., FEMA Region VIII (current Countywide Mapping Updates)
Denver Federal Center, Bldg 710A
P.O. Box 25267
Denver, CO 80225
(303) 235-4718
Dawn.brabenec@fema.dhs.gov

And

Thuy Patton CFM (for the LIDAR and Hydrology Study)
Colorado Water conservation Board
1313 Sherman Street, Rm 721
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 866-3441 ext 3230
Thuy.Patton@state.co.us

And

David Sutley, P.E. with FEMA Region VIII (regarding new studies)
Denver Federal Center, Bldg 710A
P.O. Box 25267
Denver, CO 80225
(303) 235-4809
David.sutley@fema.dhs.gov

For questions regarding the Garfield County’s portion of the process or questions about your property and flood plain mapping, please contact:

Glenn Hartmann, Senior Planner and CFM
Community Development Department
970-945-1377 ext. 1570
Email Glenn

FEMA Floodplain mapping background (2012)
FEMA is in the process of updating its floodplain maps for Garfield County, including the Colorado River, the Roaring Fork River, and related tributaries from extremely basic documents created decades ago to new D-FIRM maps that are Geographic Information Systems (GIS) digital maps that include layers, detailed topographical information, aerial photographs and river flow data.

This effort included a large public meeting in 2012, and a subsequent appeal period ending in August, 2012. The 2012 review process included public notifications, including letters to potentially affected landowners, a public meeting held on June 20, 2012, and a 90-day review process between May 6 and August 3, 2012. Following the pubic process and review period the updated maps currently under review (see 2015 review summary above) were prepared by FEMA.

For more information, please consider these resources:
FEMA preliminary modernization information online

Garfield County press release on comment period

FEMA Preliminary FIRM maps – 2012

Click on the map above to choose the area of the floodplain map you wish to see.

View 2013 maps numbered in consecutive order, left to right, below: