Another activity book!
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Education and Nurture with Nature Center have created the Climate Resilience in Your Community Activity Book.
The activity book includes:
- Activities to learn about seasons and how they are changing
- Ideas for actions you can take
- Coloring and activity pages
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Back by popular demand!
A series of FREE one-hour virtual trainings on floodplain and shoreland management topics are being offered Dec. 2023 through March 2024. The timing will be similar to our Winter 2023 series, with most trainings offered 1-2 p.m. on Mondays, and 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays.
Use the "Register" link next to each training to sign up.
You'll also be able to find the registration links and more details about each training on the DNR Dec. 2023 to March 2024 Upcoming Live Training page, or via the link at the top of the DNR Shoreland and Floodplain Education and Training Center.
Upcoming dates and topics:
*New topics
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12/12/2023 (Tue), 10 a.m.-noon: *Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) Basics Register
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1/8/2024 (Mon), 1-2 pm: Floodplain Management Basics Register
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1/10/2024 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 am: FEMA Map Basics (including Letters of Map Change) Register
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1/22/2024 (Mon), 1-2 p.m.: Shoreland Management Basics Register
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1/24/2024 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 a.m.: *Floodplain Grading, Non-Structural Development, and Accessory Structures Register
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1/29/2024 (Mon), 1-2 p.m.: Better Culverts and Crossings Register
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1/31/2024 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 a.m.: FEMA Flood Insurance Basics Register
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3/6/2024 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Dealing with Zone As Register
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3/11/2024 (Mon), 1-2 p.m.: Floodplain Higher Standards Register
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3/13/2024 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Shoreland Higher Standards Register
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3/18/2024 (Mon), 1-2 p.m.: *Floodplain Violations and Enforcement Register
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3/27/2024 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Substantial Damage and Post-flood Responsibilities Register
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Remember: Recordings of past virtual training available
To see recordings of the one hour virtual trainings presented in recent years, and other newer on-demand virtual trainings, go to the Shoreland and river-related training page or Floodplain training page.
Are you interested in joining the DNR Ecological and Water Resources Division? The division is looking to fill a new Drainage Engineer position.
This unique position will provide technical expertise in environmental reviews for drainage projects statewide while focusing efforts in the south region of Minnesota. The candidate will provide state representation for drainage-related reviews; take on work with data processing, reviewing or proposing statutes; and provide ideas, solutions and recommendations on drainage projects.
To apply, go to https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/ and search for “Drainage Engineer” or Job ID 68356.
Closing date is Dec. 11, 2023.
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The Ecological and Water Resources Division is pleased to announce that grants are available for culvert and bridge replacement projects using the Geomorphic Approach method. During the last legislative session, Minnesota passed a Clean Water bill, titled ML 2023 Chapter 40 Article 2 Sec5(I), appropriating a total of $2,000,000 over the next two years, which will pay for up to 25% of construction bid costs for projects applying the Geomorphic Approach to project design.
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The Geomorphic Approach Team will evaluate project eligibility based on priority criteria, which includes channel stability, fish passage, environmental justice/equity, safety and other special considerations. Safety considerations involve issues related to flooding and structural integrity. Grant payment will be disbursed after project construction. However, the grant will be tentatively awarded after prioritized approval and notification. The Geomorphic Approach team will work with you and guide you through the process.
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For more information about the grant, please visit this link. The applicant will be required to submit the “2023-2024 application for cost-share grant” application in accordance with the “culvert/bridge replacement incentive program” announcement, all included in the link above.
Have questions? Contact:
Salam Murtada, 651-259-5688
Kevin Zytkovicz, 651-259-5151
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The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has had many short extensions since the last five-year extension that expired Sept. 30, 2017. The latest extension was set to expire Nov. 17, 2023, but Congress extended the NFIP’s authorization to Feb. 2, 2024.
FEMA's Congressional Reauthorization for the NFIP page should have the latest updates. FEMA reports that they and Congress have never failed to honor the flood insurance contracts in place with NFIP policyholders. Should the NFIP’s authorization lapse, FEMA would still have authority to ensure the payment of valid flood claims with available funds.
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However, FEMA would stop selling and renewing policies for millions of properties in communities across the nation. Nationwide, the National Association of Realtors estimated in 2017 that a lapse might impact approximately 40,000 home sale closings per month. |
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FEMA Region 5 staff (based in Chicago) are continuing their monthly one-hour virtual training series in 2023. They are free!
It's not too late to register for many training topics!
Upcoming "Managing your Community's Floodplain" monthly series dates and topics:
Note: All held 9-10 a.m. Central Time.
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Dec. 20, 2023: Community Rating System (CRS); Registration Link
These trainings and registration links are also available on the DNR Floodplain Training and Education page.
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Talk with FEMA and DNR Floodplain Program representatives during monthly virtual Minnesota Floodplain Management Office Hours. Hours are 10-11 a.m., typically on the fourth Thursday of the month (but a few are adjusted to avoid holidays, etc.).
Upcoming monthly hours (Note: all are 10 - 11 a.m. Central Time)
Where: Teams. No registration is required. Select a date to get the Teams meeting appointment.
These office hour dates and links are also available on the DNR Floodplain Training and Education page.
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Important Dates to Note:
(since September 2023 Water Talk and upcoming in next couple months)
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Preliminary Maps
- Dec. 2023 - Wabasha Countywide (anticipated)
Local Officials Meetings and Open Houses - None
90-Day Appeal Periods
- Dodge Countywide - Sept. 11 to Dec. 10, 2023
- St. Louis Countywide - Oct. 25, 2023 to Jan. 23, 2024
- Itasca Countywide - Nov. 29, 2023 to Feb. 26, 2024
Letters of Final Determination (LFDs)
- Dec. 20, 2023 - Wilkin County panels (anticipated)
- Dec. 20, 2023 - Wright Countywide (anticipated)
- Dec. 29, 2023 - Le Sueur Countywide (anticipated)
Effective (Six months after LFD date)
- Dec. 7, 2023 - Watonwan Countywide
- Feb. 22, 2024 - Blue Earth Countywide
- March 13, 2024 - Carlton Countywide
- March 27, 2024 - Waseca Countywide
- April 25, 2024 - Pipestone Countywide
Additional Map Update Information:
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