By KAREN PARKER
County Line Publisher Emeritus
It is no small quirk of fate that on March 26, 2018, FEMA and the DNR called together stakeholders in the Kickapoo Valley watershed with the hope of gathering enough information to persuade FEMA to update its study of the watershed and possibly release new flood maps.
Called a “discover” process, its goal was “to work with local communities to better understand local flood risk, mitigation efforts, and spark watershed-wide discussions about increasing resilience for flooding.”
But before the report was released and before the DNR could begin the process of working with the communities, one of the worst floods on record for the valley struck in August, causing millions of dollars in damages in the watershed.
The Kickapoo watershed is a “top priority,” said DNR water regulations and zoning engineer Chris Olds.
As the report noted, “The watershed has an extensive flood history. Spring floods from snowmelt, moderate precipitation, and ice jams cause road closures and washouts. In the summer, flash flooding spawned by heavy rain and steep terrain has led to evacuations and mudslides. The flood events in August 2007 and June 2008 surpassed historic events and set record crests.”
Not every community in the watershed was represented. A list of 39 participants included Terri Taylor from Ontario, Mark Davison and Dave Williams from the town of Forest, James Lee from the town of Whitestown, and zoning administrators from Vernon and Monroe counties.
Each participant was asked for comments, most of which identified local flooding issues, inadequate culverts and complaints about isolated water-management issues.
Olds said the discovery report is complete, and while the Kickapoo Watershed remains a high priority with the DNR, new maps will depend on the amount of FEMA funding available.
But Michelle Staff, DNR water-regulation zoning specialist, said FEMA is currently occupied doing new maps for the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Olds noted that if new maps were released, property owners might find their location would be in the flood plain, meaning they would have fewer options for their properties, if indeed, it could be occupied at all.
Municipalities are required to adopt the new maps, Olds added, or risk losing the ability to participate in the national flood insurance program.
Olds said it would probably be September before FEMA announces any plan for new maps of the watershed. He noted its budget is limited for this process, and nationwide flooding places a great deal of demand on those funds.