COM 0176.124 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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UNPLANNED DEVELOPMENT OF MAKAI WAIAHA FLOODPLAIN July 2007 The draft Bi1151 being proposed today by Council member Brenda Ford is designed to correct several problems that have resulted in increased flooding on our island. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is designed to reduce flood damage by encouraging development away from FEMA floodplains. The attached plat map of TMK 7-5-17, the FEMA Waiaha floodplain from about 700- foot elevation (upper) to 30-foot elevation (lower), provides an excellent example of why Chapter 27, Floodplain Management, needs to be strengthened above minimum NF1P standazds. It shows why the duties and responsibilities of the county's Floodplain Administrator need to more cleazly stated through legislation. Ford's Draft 5 accomplishes this. The solid green areas represent existing development (D, G). Hatched and cross-hatched areas represent development applications with some level of approval (A-C, E, F, H). Pink azeas (I, J) represent announced plans for channelization. Red azeas (K,L) represent possible FEMA NFIP violations. The General Plan requires a Floodplain Management Program. However, the lack of coordination, consideration, and communication within the government agencies and private business concerns involved in the development of the Waiaha floodplain make it cleaz that no effective Floodplain Management Program exists in this county. There is no comprehensive plan for the Waiaha floodplain or any other floodplain in Kona, despite the massive amount of deforestation and development that is occurring and being planned in and around this and other floodplain areas. Ford's Draft 5 requires plans for all of our county's floodplains. The attached map proves the urgent need for this requirement. Grading work azound the northern splitflow (L) has been approved by the County prior to fmal approval of engineering plans for the floodplain or application for a FEMA Conditional Letter Of Map Revision (CLOMR). Should a heavy rainfall event occur, this decision will prove to have been imprudent, at the very least. Ford's Draft 5 will require the DPW to obtain a CLOMR prior to approval of construction permits. It will also require better public notice to allow persons potentially affected by a proposed floodplain alteration with the opportunity to become more involved. FEMA NFIP Hiles require a Letter of Map Revison application within 6 months after completion. County chief engineer, Garen Kuba, has complained that DRHorton's civil engineer has refused to provide necessary information to County (K). FEMA considers the county, not the developer, to be in violation of NFIP FEMA Hiles in this situation. Ford's Draft 5 will require a developer to submit all information necessary for a LOMR Comm. Na ~7G• Ref. Ta hae~ ~ItMe.'/ Ref, irate 'ifn~~ ~n„~~