September 22, 2023 |
Photo – FEMA Flood Map – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Saratoga town council voted to approve nearly $10,000 to dispute the federal government’s new flood plain map.
As reported by Bigfoot99, the town of Saratoga has been investigating ways to fight against the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s updated flood plain maps. When town officials received the maps last year, they noticed some potential errors regarding some of the properties that were added into the flood plain. According to the FEMA maps, homes far above recorded highs on the North Platte River would be required to purchase flood insurance.
This past July, FEMA asked Saratoga and county officials for scientific proof that the flood map is inaccurate. The Saratoga town council, using information provided by former council member Jon Nelson, has been investigating ways to prove the federal government wrong.
During Tuesday’s Saratoga town council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner said negative consequences will occur if the updated FEMA maps are put into effect.
Penner said the first step to fighting the new flood maps is to hire an outside engineering firm to examine the government data for errors. The public works director said S2O Design and Engineering, out of Lyons, Colorado, has offered to review the FEMA flood maps. The public works director said the engineering firm will tell Saratoga officials if they have valid evidence against the government agency. With that information, Penner said the town can decide to move forward with the appeal process or not.
The deadline for the FEMA map appeal is October 26th. Penner told the council that the town could use what’s called a LOMA, or Letter of Map Amendment, to request changes after the appeal process is over. However, Penner said a LOMA will cost somewhere around $60,000. The public works director said hiring the engineering firm to look for errors in the FEMA map is a better financial option.
Penner suggested the town hire S2O Design and Engineering for $9,500 to examine the FEMA maps for inaccuracies. The public works director said the price tag may seem high, but it could potentially save residents thousands of dollars in unnecessary flood insurance payments. Penner said S2O noticed some potential errors in the FEMA maps.
Mayor Chuck Davis said the council is required to do whatever they can to protect residents. The mayor said the price is concerning, but the town must find out if the FEMA maps are incorrect.
Mayor Davis said in their letter to the town, FEMA demanded unspecified, “scientific and technical data,” that refuted the government agency’s findings. The mayor said hiring the engineering firm may be the only chance the town has to effectively oppose the updated flood maps.
The Saratoga town council voted to approve the $9,500 payment to S2O Design and Engineering. Penner said the company has promised to complete the study by October 11th. Mayor Davis asked for an update to be presented during the next council meeting on October 3rd.
