MANASOTA & PEACE RIVER BBDs Meeting Notebook 10-21-09.docx

M104
Hardee - FEMA Map Modernization
Project Type FEMA/Map Mod.
AOR(s)
Flood Protection
Basin(s) Peace River
Cooperator(s)
Project Manager LETASI, SCOTT
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
Bowling Green, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Hardee County, Wauchula, Zolfo
Springs
Description
This project is to perform map modernization which includes 1) Topographic Information, 2) Watershed Evaluation,
and 3) Watershed Management Plan elements of the District's Watershed Management Program (WMP) for the
Hardee County Watershed. The watershed covers an area of approximately 637 square miles and is located in
Hardee County. The watershed faces flood damage and water quality issues. With FY2005 funding the work on the
Map Modernization will begin and County-wide Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps will be produced. In addition to the
DFIRM production, this project will also include five Watershed Management Plans (WMPs). WMPs will be performed
in the these priority watersheds: Alligator Branch, Buzzards Roost Run, City of Wauchula, Upper Horse Creek, and
Thompson Branch.
Benefits
The WMP provides a method to evaluate the capacity of a watershed to protect, enhance, and restore water quality
and natural systems, while achieving flood protection. The information developed provides the science for the District's
Resource Management and Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP). It assists local governments: 1) With their land
management responsibilities by establishing a level of service and developing Best Management Practices (BMPs) to
address level of service deficiencies. 2) Provides a Geodatabase and projected results from watershed model
simulations for floodplain management, and water quality management through the Total Maximum Daily Loads
(TMDL) process for their National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements.
Costs
The total budget amount for this project is $737,000. FEMA will contribute $737,000. With FY2005 funding the work on
the Map Modernization will begin. When each element is completed the project budget will be refined based on the
information gathered. Future funding will be required for the Watershed Evaluation of other watersheds to complete
the survey, watershed modeling development, floodplain analysis, LOS, surface water resource assessment, and
alternate analysis of BMPs. Approximately $75,000 of the District's FY2009 funding under B206 will be used for public
workshops to present the completed Watershed Management Plans, which will be incorporated into the new
countywide FIRMs.
Additional Information
The WMP includes five major elements: 1) Topographic Information, 2) Watershed Evaluation, 3) Watershed
Management Plan, 4) Implementation of Best Management Practices, and 5) Maintenance of Watershed Parameters
and Models. Implementing elements of the WMP with local governments is one of the Comprehensive Watershed
Management (CWM) initiative strategies. The District is cooperating with FEMA to modernize the flood insurance rate
maps (FIRMs) in Hardee County. Information developed with this project will be used to update the FIRMs
representing this watershed. Staff has worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to improve
and formalize the District's relationship with a federal agency that shares flood protection responsibilities. FEMA and
the District executed a Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Memorandum of Agreement on September 14, 2001.
As a CTP, the District is eligible for federal grants and matching funds to further efforts to modernize the flood
insurance rate maps (FIRMs). Funds will be used to perform elements of the District's Watershed Management
Program (WMP) within Hardee county. The District will execute a Mapping Activity Statement with FEMA that
identifies costs, responsibilities, and specific activities to complete the FEMA Map Modernization effort for watersheds
in Hardee county. The District will coordinate with the local government(s), will manage the project, and will enter into
purchase orders and agreements to accomplish project tasks. With FEMA funding several tasks of the Watershed
Evaluation and Watershed Management Plan elements for priority watersheds within Hardee county will be
accomplished. Watersheds will be prioritized based on the needs of the local governments and the District. Because
of funding constraints some watersheds will not be studied in detail. The risk information from the current FIRMs will
be transferred to the modernized, digital maps. These watersheds will be studied in detail when additional funding is
available through the cooperative funding process. Work on the Watershed Management Plan element for the priority
watersheds will include the following tasks: survey, data management and development of watershed parameters,
GIS processing, computer modeling, and floodplain analysis. Development of countywide, digital FIRMs and outreach
for the successful adoption of the FIRMs will also be performed. When each element is completed the project budget
will be refined based on the information gathered. Future cooperative funding request(s) will be required to complete
020 - Peace River Basin 360