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SUBJECTS › PUBLIC SAFETY › EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT › Flood Hazard Management Planning
Updated 03/07

Flood Hazard Management Planning

(Note: Washington State uses the term "flood plain," the U.S. Government agencies use the term "floodplain")

Contents

About Flood Hazard Management

Comprehensive flood hazard management is the most effective way to address flood control issues. It incorporates a variety of engineering, environmental protection and planning measures. It includes flood plain management, flood control maintenance activities, stormwater management, shoreline management, protection of frequently flooded areas under Growth Management, watershed management, other flood hazard mitigation activities, and preparation for flood disasters where mitigation activities cannot prevent flooding. This page is intended to provide basic reference information to state and local programs. Detailed information should be obtained from the regulatory agencies.

The concept of flood hazard management includes flood control management and flood plain management. Traditional flood control measures have generally referred to various engineering type projects aimed at controlling flood waters, such as building of levies and traditional flood plain management which was aimed at controlling building in the flood plain. Current efforts are directed toward comprehensive flood hazard mitigation planning.

In the federal regulations flood plain management means the operation of an overall program of corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood damage, including but not limited to emergency preparedness plans, flood control works and flood plain management regulations. CFR 44 Part 59.1 See also FEMA's What is Floodplain Management? Participation in the National Flood Insurance program requires the adoption of flood plain management regulations that comply with federal requirements. Definitions of flood flood related terms appear in provisions for National Flood Insurance and Hazard Mitigation at CFR 44 Part 59.1.

The state regulates flood control management projects on the state's streams and requires a comprehensive flood control management plan to qualify for flood assistance account funds.

Natural hazard mitigation plans that include floods are required for certain FEMA funds. Hazard mitigation is the ongoing effort to lessen the impact disasters have on people's lives and property through damage prevention and flood insurance. See FEMA Mitigation Division and MRSC's Hazard Mitigation Planning in Washington State.

Principal Agencies

  • The Department of Ecology (DOE) is the primary state agency responsible for administration and enforcement of all laws related to flood control and flood plain management regulation.
  • The Emergency Management Division (EMD) of the Washington Military Department works in partnership with federal, state, and local agencies, volunteers, and private organizations to reduce the potential effects of natural hazards. EMD coordinates emergency management programs with local governments, public agencies, private organizations, businesses, communities, and individuals to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. The EMD manages emergency management funds, workers, organizations, services and plans, and procedures for disaster recovery.
  • The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is under the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate of the new Department of Homeland Security. It administers a comprehensive, risk-based, emergency management program of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
    • FEMA's Mitigation Division
      • Manages the National Flood Insurance Program
      • Is responsible for working with communities to encourage them to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed the minimum floodplain management requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program
      • Maintains and updates the National Flood Insurance Program maps.
      • Administers the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
      • Administrator's Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, and
      • Administers the Pre-Disaster Mitigation authorized by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000
    • FEMA Region 10 administers the federal emergency preparedness, damage prevention, and response and recovery programs to Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington

Requirements Related to Flood Hazard Management and Mitigation

  • A Flood Plain Management Ordinance approved by the department of Ecology is required of a community to qualify for the National Flood Insurance Program, see Ch. 86.16 RCW
  • A Comprehensive Flood Control Hazard Plan is required by the State of Washington for funding of any flood control maintenance projects through the state's Flood Control Assistance Account. See RCW 86.26.050. Contents of the plan are listed in WAC 173-145-040.
  • GMA Critical Areas Designation. Jurisdictions planning under the Growth Management Act are required to designate and protect frequently flooded areas as part of the requirements for critical areas, see RCW 36.70A.170 and .172.
  • A Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan which outlines processes for identifying the natural hazards (which includes floods), risks, and vulnerabilities of the area, describe actions to mitigate the hazards, and strategy to implement those actions. Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (PL 106-930)

Washington Statutes Relating to Flood Control and Flood Plain Management

  • General
  • County Authority
    • Flood Control by Counties (River Improvement Fund), Chapter 86.12 RCW - Provides for the collection of a flood control fee and provides additional authority for county flood control and the development of comprehensive flood control management plans. A county may act to control flooding under the authority of this statute without forming a special purpose district.
    • Joint Flood Control, Chapter 86.13 RCW - Provides authority and procedures for joint flood control by two counties where a river forms a boundary between the counties or where the river waters alternate between counties with potential for flood damage in both counties.
  • Flood Control Districts
    See MRSC's Special Districts Page for List of Flood Control Districts and Information about Formation
    • Flood Control District Act of 1935, Chapter 86.05 RCW (Repealed) - Following catastrophic floods in 1933 in which emergency relief was received from the federal government, the state passed the Flood Control District Act of 1935 authorizing the formation of flood control districts to build permanent flood control works. This act was repealed in 1965, but existing districts were allowed to continue. There are now no known districts operating under the 1935 Act.
    • The Flood Control District Act of 1937, Chapter 86.09 RCW - Provides for the creation of flood control districts for the protection of life and property, the preservation of the public health and the conservation and development of the natural resources.
    • Flood Control Zone Districts, Chapter 86.15 RCW - Passed in 1961, the law enabled “flood control zone districts,” for the purpose of undertaking, operating, or maintaining flood control projects or storm water control projects or groups of projects that are of special benefit to specified areas of the county.

Flood Plain Management and the National Flood Insurance Program

The Washington State Department of Ecology is the state agency in Washington responsible for coordinating the flood plain management regulation elements aspects of the national flood insurance program. Statewide flood plain management regulation is exercised through:

  • Local governments' administration of the national flood insurance program regulation requirements,
  • The establishment of minimum state requirements for flood plain management that equal the minimum federal requirements for the national flood insurance program, and
  • The issuance of regulatory orders governing the planning, construction, operation and maintenance of any works, structures and improvements, private or public, which might, if improperly planned, constructed, operated and maintained, adversely influence the regimen of a stream or body of water or might adversely affect the security of life, health and property against damage by flood water

To qualify for flood insurance under the NFIP, local communities must adopt flood plain management regulations at least as stringent as the federal minimum standards established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), see RCW 86.16.041. See RCW 86.16.031 for a list of the Department of Ecology's duties with regard to local government flood plain management.

Flood Plain Management Local Government Regulations

Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plans

A comprehensive flood control plan is required for funding of any flood control maintenance projects.

Critical Area Ordinances - Frequently Flooded Areas

See also MRSC's Critical Areas, Sensitive Areas page

Flood Hazard Information - Public Awareness

Financing for Flood Hazard Management

Other Information Resources