Title
Briefing on FEMA Levee Accreditation Process
Recommended Action
Information only. No action requested
Report
Issue:
Briefing on the FEMA levee accreditation process.
Staff Contact:
Natalie Weiss, Climate Resilience Coordinator, City Manager's Office, Climate Program, 360.570.5828
Presenter(s):
Natalie Weiss, Climate Resilience Coordinator
Background and Analysis:
The Olympia Sea Level Rise Response Plan identified "Understanding the Implications of FEMA Accreditation" as a near-term informational adaptation strategy. On page 102 of the SLRP, it states: "In its flood hazard and risk mapping, FEMA only recognizes those flood protection systems that meet, and continue to meet, minimum design, operation, and maintenance standards that are consistent with federal requirements and local floodplain management ordinances. The implications of achieving FEMA accreditation, including cost, freeboard criteria, flood gate criteria, drainage, foundation requirements, and maintenance requirements, need to be understood and evaluated."
The primary benefit of FEMA levee accreditation is reduced flood insurance costs for property owners within the affected Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). However, accreditation is a time and cost-intensive process, which requires ongoing management and certification to maintain the accreditation over time.
The existing FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) for Olympia show a small number of structures within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), the area where the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP's) floodplain management regulations must be enforced. All structures within the SFHA are mandated to purchase flood insurance. Under current conditions, there are 16 properties, representing 13% of structures that are projected to be impacted by 2050 high-range sea level rise projections, who would benefit from the cost savings associated with accreditation and flood insurance reductions. The FEMA FIRM maps are not updated r...
Click here for full text