Park County Community Development
Floodplain Management Division
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE PARK COUNTY DRAFT FLOODPLAIN REGULATIONS (2011)
On October 18, 2011 the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) are scheduled to adopt new floodplain maps (Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRM)) for the Yellowstone River, which were given preliminary approval during the spring of 2011. In conjunction with the new maps, Park County has been working on updating and amending the Park County Floodplain Regulations, which were last updated in 1991. The Park County Draft Floodplain Regulations (2011) were developed utilizing the draft State Model Floodplain Regulations along with input from certified floodplain managers, the Park County Attorney’s Office, and members of the Planning and Development Board. The draft regulations incorporate the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) which are required for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Below is a synopsis of the more substantive changes included in the Park County Draft Floodplain Regulations (2011):
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- • Some changes were due to changes in the ARM and the CFR from 1991 to 2011.
- • More ‘definitions’ were included for clarification purposes
- • Significant formatting changes were made to the State Model to reduce the overall size of the regulations from 85 pages to just over 30 pages. Rather than include all ARM and CFR requirements, each applicable section of the CFR and ARM is referenced and included as an attachment.
- • Floodplain Permit Application Review Procedures include a ten day element and sufficiency review to allow the Floodplain Administrator time to verify that all elements are included in the application and are sufficient for review.
- • When reviewing floodplain permit applications, the Floodplain Administrator or governing body may utilize ‘best available data’ which allows for a variety of resources, including; scientific studies and data, channel migration information, new floodplain maps and data, historic data.
- • After receiving a floodplain permit—applicants are required to provide documentation that a completed floodplain project has been built in accordance with the floodplain regulations and the approved floodplain permit specifications.
Copies of the Draft Park County Floodplain Regulations (2011) can be viewed on-line and be found on the right sided menu of this page, or at one of the following locations:
- The Clyde Park Town Hall
- The Emigrant Store
- The Gardiner Chamber of Commerce
- The Cooke City Community Center, and at the Park County Community Development Department.
For more information please contact Barbara Woodbury (Floodplain Administrator) at bwoodbury@parkcounty.org or 406-222-4145 or contact Jeri Stevens at jstevens@parkcounty.org or call 406-222-4102.