Diane Ifkovic, NFIP State Coordinator; Carla Feroni, Map MOD Coordinator; Karen Michaels, CAP Staff

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1 ASSOCIATION OF STATE FLOODPLAIN MANAGERS Region 1 Report (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, and VT) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Edward A. Thomas, Esq., Region 1 Director INTRODUCTION and REGIONAL OVERVIEW Region 1 is comprised of the six New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. There is only a partial report from the state of Massachusetts due to ongoing massive flood disaster recovery operations. Multiple training opportunities were offered throughout the region, by the individual States, as well as the Rhode Island Flood Mitigation Association, this region s only state floodplain management association operating at this time. These training opportunities are summarized by state below. The ASFPM Regional Director has continued work both in New England and throughout the nation on No Adverse Impact and other forms of hazard mitigation and floodplain management training. Report from Connecticut: Diane Ifkovic, NFIP State Coordinator; Carla Feroni, Map MOD Coordinator; Karen Michaels, CAP Staff CT Declared Disasters Severe Storms and Flooding May 11, 2007 (DR 1700); Severe Storms and Flooding December 26, 2005 (DR1619). All communities in Connecticut are part of the NFIP except one. There has been one suspension in relation to not adopting a complaint floodplain regulation in conjunction with a map update in Communities in Hartford county (September 26, 2008) and Middlesex county (August 28, 2008) received new flood insurance rate maps in Significant work was done on floodplain ordinance reviews and outreach in conjunction with the map updates. Communities within Fairfield County (23 communities) will receive new effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) on June 18, For New Haven county (27 communities), it is anticipated that new FIRMs will become effective in November Significant work was done on floodplain ordinance reviews and outreach in conjunction with these map updates that will continue into the next fiscal year. CTDEP completed 3 CAVs and 3 CACs in the last year. CAP staff has also been in the process of updating the state hazard mitigation plan. Mitigation Issues & Successes The City of Milford is interested in joining the CRS program and is coordinating with the CRS representative for CT. CTDEP is currently in the process of assisting 5 regional planning organizations with the development of local or regional hazard mitigation plans. Two home elevations in Milford are being funded with FMA funds. Two home elevations and one acquisition are being funded with HMA (PDM funds) in Norwalk and Trumbull. Map MOD Status In the past year, 2 counties (Hartford and Middlesex) in CT have received new effective DFIRM maps. In addition, 3 counties (Fairfield, New Haven, and New London) have received preliminary maps. CTP progress No activity reported during this time period. Regional Director Report, Region 1 1

2 CT offers to proctor the CFM exam if requested. No exams were proctored during this time period. CT hosted two BCA workshops in October CTDEP staff conducted a one-day training for the CT Association of Zoning Enforcement Officers (CAZEO) on April 1, CTDEP conducted training for internal staff on the new digital flood insurance rate maps. Two training sessions were offered in CT would like to request ASFPM provide further assistance in the understanding and development of Risk MAP as it unfolds. Please continue to provide members with documents explaining what FEMA considers Risk MAP and how this relates to states funding. Connecticut StormSmart Coasts Activity A Draft StormSmart Coasts site is now ready for Connecticut. Activation has been delayed by flood recovery activities. Report from Maine: Sue Baker, NFIP State Coordinator; Joe Young Mapping Coordinator Maine Declared Disasters Federal: July 30 th 2009: Heavy rain, hail, damaging winds, flooding, erosion and landslides that struck the State between June 18 and July 8. Counties designated were Franklin, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Somerset, Waldo and Washington. March 25 th 2010: Severe Winter Storms and flooding affecting Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, and York Counties for storms and Flooding January 5, 2009 FY09 The town of Roxbury was suspended briefly due to a delay in adopting new floodplain maps but has since been reinstated. Maine staff completed 3 CAVs, 1 FEMA CAV and 27 CACs. In addition 162 communities received new customized ordinances, staff reviewed 78 ordinances adopted by communities for compliance with NFIP regulations, logged 1,036 entries general technical assistance, and reviewed 109 projects for compliance with EO Staff also attended two Region 1 meetings and the 2009 ASFPM conference. Mitigation Issues & Successes The town of Belmont joined the NFIP in January Old Orchard Beach was recognized for its CRS program resulting in the lowering of the communities rating to an 8. Mapping Status Oxford County DFIRMS became effective on July 7, Preliminary DFIRMs have been released for Kennebec, Cumberland and York Counties. Several appeals were lodged in Cumberland and York Counties. Finalization of these maps is expected in mid summer A task order for updating Androscoggin County to digital maps was issued in September of CTP Progress The Maine Floodplain Management Office signed a CTP agreement with FEMA. Staff from the office attending a week long CTP training at the National Emergency Center in Emmittsburg, MD in March 2010 Regional Director Report, Region 1 2

3 Maine staff coordinated 4 basic workshops for code enforcement officers/local officials and two workshops presented by Rebecca Quinn and John Ingargiola focusing on Floodplain Management provisions of the ICC. The Mapping Coordinator participated in the Maine section of the ASCE 2010 Technology Conference and made a presentation on Floodplain mapping and LiDAR acquisition in Maine. Staff also conducted public outreach meetings in preparation for impending mapping updates and the consequences that are associated with a map change. This effort was assisted by FEMA Region I. Unnumbered A zone mapping dating back over 30 years continues to be a problem. Establishing an ongoing matching grant program for communities to update their maps would be a very positive step for FEMA to leverage more funding for mapping as well as developing more active participation from local communities. Maine StormSmart Coasts Activities StormSmart Coasts development in Maine has been delayed by flood response activities. Report from Massachusetts: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts suffered massive and widespread flooding this year. Due to the press of business, the Massachusetts was able to provide a report on its activities with respect to StormSmart Coasts, only. A more complete report is contemplated when the ongoing disaster operations permit. Massachusetts StormSmart Coasts Report: The Massachusetts StormSmart Coasts program is designed to help coastal communities address the challenges arising from erosion, storms, floods, sea level rise, and climate change. The website, which was launched in spring of 2008, provides a menu of tools for successful coastal floodplain management. In 2009 the program worked with seven cities and towns participating in five different pilot projects. The team of Duxbury, Kingston, and Plymouth has created a brochure called Protect Your Family and Your Home to inform homeowners of proactive flood protection measures that they can take. The brochure has been mailed to over 7000 residents in and near the current NFIP designated floodzone. Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard will present bylaw amendments to town meeting voters this spring. The amendments would prohibit new residential development and expansion of existing development in the V and AO Zones. Additionally, it requires that all changes in the A zone go through a rigorous special permit process. Finally, the town of Hull has created an innovative incentive program to encourage homeowners or builders to freeboard new and existing buildings two feet above the current highest standard. On May 11, 2009 the StormSmart Coasts Team sponsored a session for local officials which included a presentation on the legal aspects of floodplain management by Ed Thomas. New Hampshire Report: Jennifer Gilbert, CFM, NFIP State Coordinator; Joanne Cassulo, Risk MAP Coordinator NH Declared Disasters Federal Severe Winter Storm, March 29, 2010 (6 out of 10 Counties Declared Public Assistance) Four new communities joined the NFIP. One community was converted from the Emergency Program to the Regular Program. Currently 89 percent of NH communities participate in the NFIP. NH continued to create and distribute outreach materials including various fact sheets and an NFIP newsletter, Flood Lines, which is also available on-line. Mitigation Issues & Successes Two NH communities received FEMA mitigation grants to acquire several homes in neighborhoods that have experienced severe flooding in the last 4 years. Regional Director Report, Region 1 3

4 Risk MAP Status In the past year, two counties in NH received new effective DFIRM maps. Two of the three remaining counties in NH are expected to go final in CTP progress NH s NFIP coordinating agency became a CTP in July The number of CFMs in NH increased from 3 to 5. NH is looking at the possibility of offering the CFM refresher course and exam for the first time within the next year. NH hosted a Substantial Improvement/Damage workshop, which had 40 participants, and a Floodplain Regulations in Depth workshop, which had 30 participants. None New Hampshire StormSmart Coasts Activities StormSmart Coasts site development is now progressing nicely, and the site developer, Wes Shaw indicates that the site may be active in Rhode Island Report: The State of Rhode Island suffered massive and widespread flooding this year. Nevertheless, Rhode Island was able to provide a full report which focuses on report on State activities as well as the activities of the Rhode Island Flood Mitigation Association (RIFMA), the Rhode Island Flood Awareness and Climate Change Task Force (FACCT) and the Rhode Island StormSmart Coasts. State of Rhode Island Report Michelle Burnett, NFIP Coordinator; Emily Pysh, Map Modernization/Risk MAP Coordinator RI Declared Disasters None in 2009 All 39 communities in Rhode Island continue to participate in the NFIP, with no probations or suspensions. There were 11 Community Assistance Visits and 7 Community Assistance Contacts performed in For future planning purposes, RI NFIP staff is attempting to perform 13 CAV s annually, allowing each of the 39 RI communities to be visited once every three years. Mitigation Issues and Successes There are currently three communities in the Community Rating System (Town of North Kingstown, Town of Narragansett and Town of Middletown). There are three additional communities in Rhode Island that are actively applying for CRS. They include the City of Newport, City of Warwick and City of Cranston. Map Mod Status Providence County DFIRMs became effective March 2, All sixteen communities in Providence County were compliant in adopting the new maps and ordinances. Newport, Kent and Washington Counties received preliminary Regional Director Report, Region 1 4

5 maps which will become effective at various dates during All five RI counties will have effective DFIRMs by the end of The CFM Refresher Course and Exam have been and will continue to be offered annually at the RI Flood Mitigation Association (RIFMA) Conference each April. There was a 100 pass rate for all persons who took the CFM Exam in NFIP staff coordinated a variety of trainings in 2009 including the following: Coastal Construction for Home Builders Workshop, Retrofitting Flood-Prone Residential Structures 2-day Field Course, CFM Refresher Course, Recovery Workshop, RIFMA Twilight Seminar Series. None at this time. Activities of the Rhode Island Flood Awareness and Climate Change Task Force (FACCT) Members of this group include the Rhode island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA), the state coastal zone management agency (RRMC), the Coastal Resources Center at the University of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island State Building Commissioner, and RIFMA. The group has coordinated on developing regulations for adaptation to climate change, including additional freeboard, Coastal A Zones, living shorelines, etc. It has developed FACCT Sheet 1, is a publication designed to help the homeowner maneuver through the different regulatory agencies when rebuilding after a storm. In addition it has developed FACCT Sheet 2 which shows how to determine if you are in a Coastal A Zone. It is expected that both these documents will be presented at the RIFMA Annual Meeting in April, Activities of the Rhode Island Flood Mitigation Association (RIFMA) RIFMA sponsored or co-sponsored several workshops (usually with the state NFIP coordination agency, the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency). These events included three twilight seminars on RiskMAP, LOMAs and Sea Level Rise. We held a FPM 101 workshop for local officials, had a session on FIRMs at the Land and Water Conservation Summit We will be doing a CFM refresher course and giving the CFM exam at the end of the April Information on the 2010 RIFMA Annual Conference as well as the CFM refresher and Twilight Seminar Series should be on We will also be co-sponsoring a Coastal A Zone workshop on April 28th. Rhode Island StormSmart Coasts Activity A Draft StormSmart Coasts site is now ready for Rhode Island. Activation has been delayed by flood recovery activities. Report from Vermont: Robert Evans, State Floodplain Manager/NFIP Coordinator; Ned Swandberg, Mapping Coordinator; Rebecca Pfeiffer, CAP/SSSE Specialist VT Declared Disasters DR 1816 Severe Winter Storms January 14, No flood declarations since Summer The Town of Windham joined the NFIP. There were no suspensions and no communities dropped out of the program. VT DEC conducted 10 CAVs, 26 CACs, and 81 reviews of local floodplain development permits. In September, VT DEC hosted the 2009 FEMA Region I CAP-SSSE Coordination meeting in Brattleboro. Despite all the challenges of MapMod, the ordinance adoption process as resulted in the most positive outcome. By way of Regional Director Report, Region 1 5

6 updating ordinances, we have been able to reach out and educate communities on the need for higher standards. Particularly satisfying is the fact the 14 communities have adopted either Fluvial Erosion Hazard corridor overlay district regulations or have adopted a similarly restrictive bylaw that outright prohibits new structures and fill in the Special Flood Hazard Area. Mitigation Issues The Town of Bennington PDM-C application was deemed ineligible by FEMA Region I. This is of major concern, since the project involved a floodplain restoration to mitigate one of the most dangerous stretches of river in the state. VT DEC was going to be the local match to provide state funds and technical resources to the project which was one of the incentives provided to the Town to adopt a Fluvial Erosion Hazard Overlay district. Management for flood-related erosion is of utmost importance along the Roaring Branch of the Walloomsac. VT DEC performed geomorphic assessments with the assistance of FEMA PDM-C dollars to map FEH Corridors, update hazard mitigation plans, and prioritize projects for mitigation. It is unfortunate that ultimate goal of mitigation was not achieved due to PDM eligibility criteria not properly accommodating floodplain restoration projects. The project was viewed by FEMA as major flood control, when the project involved the removal of non-engineered berms and the reestablishment of floodplain function. Map MOD/RiskMAP Status July 2009, final community meetings were held in Chittenden and Washington Counties. Washington County is scheduled to go effective late in Chittenden effective date has been pushed back to Summer 2011 due to technical issues. In addition, FEMA Region I issued a Task Order to initiate work in Bennington County - VT DEC provided revised scoping priorities in October, and LiDAR acquisition is scheduled for Spring CTP progress In September, 2009, The State of Vermont signed a CTP agreement with Region I since CTP will be the grant instrument used to fund state program management activities previously performed under MMMS. Going forward, the State of Vermont, along with the Vermont Center for Geographic Information (also a CTP), hopes to take on a more active role in flood hazard mapping performed as part of the RiskMAP initiative. VT DEC hosted the CFM Exam 2 times in the past year and has increased the number of CFMs to 15. VT DEC Conducted 12 workshops topics included Floodplain Management 101, Working with DFIRMs, Ordinance Adoption and Bylaw Updates, and River Corridor Protection strategies. Although DEC understands that the Bennington PDM project, discussed above under Mitigation Issues, could have better described the project, we still feel that PDM-C and HMGP eligibility criteria do not adequately accommodate restoration of the natural and beneficial floodplain functions which can have tremendous mitigation benefit by storing and attenuating floodwaters. If we are to achieve our goal of giving rivers their room and divesting from hazardous areas over time, their needs to be a way to fund projects such as Bennington, especially when the municipality has agreed to prohibit new development in a technically defensible Fluvial Erosion Hazard corridor. We would greatly appreciate ASFPM s assistance in carrying the message to FEMA that their grant programs should evolve to better accommodate mitigation achieved through floodplain restoration (ASFPM 2050 Vision goals in mind ) Regional Director Report, Region 1 6