HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-06; FEMA Suspension of Floodway Map Revisions; |Murphy, Jeff| Barberio, Gary|To the members of the:
CITY COUNCIL
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Aug.6,2020
To:
From:
Via:
Re:
Council Memorandum
Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council
Jeff Murphy, Community Development Director
Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager @,
FEMA Suspension of Floodway Map Rev1s1ons
{city of
Carlsbad
Memo ID# 2020163
On July 31, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) notified several southern California jurisdictions (including the city) that they will
suspend processing certain flood mapping applications, starting Aug. 14, 2020. This memo
provides background information on what caused this suspension and how it impacts the city.·
Background
On July 31, 2020, FEMA informed the city that effective Aug. 14, 2020, they will suspend
processing certain applications to revise FEMA flood maps1. This action was taken as a result of a
recent lawsuit filed against FEMA, relating to their implementation of the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP) and its effect on Federally listed threatened and endangered species in Los
Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. The lawsuit
contends that FEMA failed to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National
Marine Fisheries Service on the implementation of the NFIP and its effect on species, as required
by the Endangered Species Act. As part of its consultation with the wildlife services, FEMA will
prepare biological evaluations analyzing the potential effects of NFIP implementation on Federally
listed species and their critical habitat in California. Applications for floodway modifications that
are received prior to Aug. 14, 2020, will be processed and completed pursuant to current
standards. New applications, or requests to reopen closed applications received after
Aug. 14, 2020, will be suspended with no determination until the above-mentioned analysis is
completed. FEMA indicated that the suspension may last two to five years.
Discussion
The suspension will create minimal impact to the city, as the city does not process many of these
types of applications (roughly one every two to three years) and the city currently does not have
any applications under review, being considered or anticipated in the future. All other aspects of
the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are in effect including the city's updated floodplain
regulations and use of the 2019 Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
1 Specifically, processing of Letters of Map Revision for fill into a floodway (LOMR-f) and Conditional Letters of Map Revision for fill
into a floodway (CLOMR-f) are suspended. ·
Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council
Aug.6,2020
Page 2
· Next Steps
Staff will monitor FEMA's progress and will alert the City Council if any significant changes occur.
cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Celia Brewer, City Attorney
Ron Kemp, Assistant City Attorney
Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works
Laura Roach, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services
Tom Frank, Transportation Director
Mike Peterson, Assistant Director, Community Development
Jason Geldert, Engineering Manager, Community Development