After years of studies, La Plata County is on the verge of adopting an amendment to chapter 78 of the land use code to bring the regulations into conformance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency flood plain maps and an updated Flood Insurance Study that take effect April 25.
The Planning Commission will consider the amendments Jan. 25 and county commissioners have tentative hearing dates set for Feb. 20 and March 5.
FEMA has been working on updating the flood plain maps for many of the county’s watersheds since 2018, said County Floodplain Administrator Todd Beattie. The maps were last updated in 2010. However, new and more advanced technology has led to increased accuracy in the 2024 update.
Additionally, the water level of what would be considered a “once in 100-year event,” or areas susceptible to a 1% annual chance flood, was reduced, he said.
“It's a benefit to our community to have the best data available,” Beattie said. “A lot of people in this community build near rivers, it’s beautiful in the flood plain, and can be done safely, but we need to have the latest data.”
The flood plain maps impact both building regulations as well as flood insurance rates.
The maps include newer data on the Florida, Animas and La Plata rivers, as well as Hermosa Creek. The only major area that was not updated was the watershed north of Vallecito Reservoir.
In order for residents to participate in the FEMA flood insurance program, the county must have codes that comply with minimum building regulations. Beattie said the flood plain area shrank in most areas, meaning fewer people will have to comply with the flood plain building codes.
The one exception was the Hermosa Creek watershed, where the flood plain grew.
“Some areas are in (a flood plain) that were previously out, or may be in a different zone, like they might have been in a 0.2% chance (and) now they might be in a 1% chance,” he said. “But generally, it's less restrictive.”
FEMA finalized flood plain maps Oct. 25, but waited for them to take effect until April 25, giving the county time to hold public hearings and amend codes. However, given that FEMA creates the maps, and not the county, the maps are considered finalized. The public had an opportunity to comment on the maps before finalization.
To view the updated maps, compare them to the 2010 version and find more information about flood insurance, visit the La Plata County Community Development Department’s website or call the department, at 382-6250.
The Planning Commission and BOCC meetings will be held in the La Plata County administration building.
Rschafir@durangoherald.com
This story has been updated to reflect that the code amendment impacts land use regulations, but not specifically the building code.
