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sue Paper on Proposed changes to Hawaii County Flood Plain Ordinance - o_eiesea: i <br /> - <br /> Ver. May 28, 2007 <br /> The Hawaii County Council is currently discussing Bill No. 51 which amends <br /> Chapter 27, Flood Control, Hawaii County Code, relating to stormwater <br /> management. The full County Council will hear the bill on June 1, 2007. <br /> The initial objective of Bill 51 is to amend the floodplain management ordinance <br /> in order to comply with current National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) <br /> regulations. Through the passage of this bill, it appears the County Council <br /> intends to control development and growth along the floodways and flood hazard <br /> zones in West Hawaii. Although the intentions of this Bill are commendable, it <br /> also adds elements that exceed the requirements of the National Flood <br /> Insurance Program and may create undue burdens for farmers and ranchers on <br /> the Big Island. <br /> Specific Comments on Ordinance Changes <br /> The County ordinances generally apply to those areas identified as flood-prone <br /> on the latest Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Flood <br /> Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM). Many agricultural areas are outside of the FIRM <br /> "limit of mapping." However, the County Public Works Director reserves the right <br /> to determine other areas outside of the mapped areas that are subject to flood <br /> hazards and to impose the requirements of the ordinance as if the areas were in <br /> a zone subject to flood hazards. (Sec. 27-5(a)) <br /> If a watercourse is relocated or altered (within the special flood hazard area) it <br /> must have a "one-hundred year flood" capacity. This requirement may conflict <br /> with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation <br /> practice standard for waterways and diversions. The term "watercourse" is <br /> broadly defined in the ordinance and may lead to regulation of even the smallest <br /> drainageways. Furthermore, downstream notifications will need to be made if <br /> <br /> watercourse alteration is conducted. (Sec 27-16(f)(1) and (2)), (Sec. 27-24(h)), <br /> (Sec. 27-25(d)) <br /> <br /> While not new, structures built in aflood-hazard area will need additional <br /> certification for elevation and flood resistance to comply with new FEMA <br /> regulations. (Sec. 27-17) <br /> Grading and filling of lands exceeding 10 percent slope is restricted to 20 percent <br /> of the lot area to reduce concentration of runoff and increased flooding and <br /> erosion. No mention of the grading exemption for farmers with a conservation <br /> plan is included. (Sec. 27-18 (c)(6)) <br /> Nearly all subdivisions and developments anywhere on the Big Island will <br /> <br />