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<br /> PWIRC Rept. No. 21 May 15, 2007 <br /> <br /> Page 6 <br /> Ms. Ford reiterated that the changes to the existing Hawaii County Floodplain Code are <br /> <br /> necessary because if we don't bring our Code up to standard, we will not receive help in the <br /> <br /> event of a natural disaster. The existing flood standazds are not working well. We need to <br /> <br /> protect the health, safety, and welfare of our citizens by protecting our environment, our natural <br /> <br /> resources, the water quality, and our floodplain runoff to protect our ocean and reefs. Hawaii <br /> County needs to use the best practices for floodplain management and use the precautionazy <br /> <br /> principle to mitigate daznage before it happens. <br /> <br /> Ms. Tyau-Beam stated she had spoken with Maui County about their CRS rating. They were <br /> <br /> rated an eight because they issue elevation certificates, have repetitive loss structure reports, give <br /> out map information, have community outreach activities, and require real estate agents to <br /> disclose flood hazards. Currently Maui has 1,446 points to qualify for a Class 8 CRS <br /> designation. If they can achieve 1,500 points they will achieve a Class 7 designation. <br /> Ms. Tyau-Beam reiterated that the NFIP system is voluntary, but if you don't comply with <br /> FEMA regulations for flood insurance, the County will not be eligible for federal money in the <br /> <br /> time of natural disaster. She noted that Chapter 27 revisions need to be included to comply with <br /> <br /> NFIP, including shoreline setbacks. <br /> Mr. Stout said that NRCS works with farmers and ranchers to preserve natural resources. They <br /> help with erosion, not runoff, and diverting runoff to gulches. He said that NRCS uses water and <br /> sediment control basins, but they do not recommend the use of drywells near the shoreline. <br /> Drywells aze not one of their 50 engineering priorities but they do use underground outlets which <br /> are similar. They use grass waterways, ponds, and sediment control basins. NRCS uses a <br /> 10-year, 24-hour storm criteria for diversion. The County uses a 10-year, 1-hour criteria. The <br /> <br /> NRCS uses the Engineering Method as EFH2 and the County uses the Rational Method. The <br /> <br /> NRCS method uses more data than the County and takes into account the type of soils, the slope <br /> of the area and the runoff. <br /> Director McClure said that the department accepts all methods. He stated that Bi1151, Draft 2, <br /> needs to be written to satisfy all agencies and that Bill 52 needs to be the same to be congruous. <br /> Mr. Hoffmann stated that he wants to make sure his amendment approved at the last meeting <br /> <br /> regazding elevations and the required engineering studies is included. Ms. Ford stated that the <br /> <br /> Public Works Depazment thinks the 10-yeaz, 1-hour storm should be the standard, but that she <br /> <br /> thinks the 100-year storm event should be the standazd. <br /> <br /> Ms. Ford asked that Bill 51 be deferred for three sessions so that the bill could be revised and <br /> <br /> then given to FEMA and NRCS for their feedback. Mr. Hoffmann asked that it be deferred until <br /> May 1. Ms. Ford moved to postpone Bill 51 until May 1; Mr. Hoffmann seconded the motion. <br /> The vote was unanimous. <br /> At its meeting of May 1, 2007, held at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa in Kona, Your <br /> Committee heard an informational report on Bi1151, Draft 2, relating to Depazment of Pubic <br /> <br />