We are being required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to add new requirements to our Flood Hazard Zoning Overlay by December 1, 2024. These Pre-Implementation Compliance Measures (PICMs) are meant to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act.
FEMA has offered three pathways to communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program in Oregon:
- Adopt a model ordinance that considers impacts to species and their habitat and requires mitigation to a no net loss standard.
- Require a habitat assessment and mitigation plan for development on a permit-by-permit basis (direct implementation of FEMA’s habitat assessment requirements).
- Prohibit floodplain development in the Special Flood Hazard Area.
These PICMs must be in place until the release of the Final Implementation Plan and implementation in 2027. If we do not pick a pathway and notify FEMA by December 1, they will default to Option 2, the permit-by-permit basis.
We are considering the options. This page will be updated when more information is available. This will include information about public meetings if rules changes will be considered by the Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioners.
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