December 16, 2021

• Disaster Recovery Reform Act Section 1206: Building Code and Floodplain Management Ordinance Administration and Enforcement Policy Issuance
• Application Period For Municipal Flood Control Grants Program Now Open
• Risk Rating 2.0 Is Here
• Future Floodplain Management Training Save The Date
• STAFFING UPDATE DNR Regional Water Management Engineer Staff Changes

Disaster Recovery Reform Act Section 1206: Building Code and Floodplain Management Ordinance Administration and Enforcement Policy Issuance

Summer 2018, Mazomanie, Wisconsin in Dane County

By: Brian Killen, Sr. Floodplain Management Specialist, FEMA Region 5

In 2018, Congress passed the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) to simplify the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) operations and build the nation’s capacity to respond to disasters. 

Section 1206 of the DRRA authorizes FEMA to aid state and local governments for building code and floodplain administration and enforcement, including inspections for substantial damage compliance. FEMA implements DRRA section 1206 through the Public Assistance (PA) Program, whose framework and requirements are defined by a recently issued policy, Building Code and Floodplain Management Ordinance Administration and Enforcement.

This PA policy went into effect Nov. 1, 2020, and is applicable only for:

• a community located in a county which, as part of a major federal disaster declaration, has been designated for Public Assistance and
• if a flood risk has been identified, also participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

This policy offers a unique opportunity to connect communities with the resources needed to effectively administer and enforce state and locally adopted building codes and floodplain management ordinances for a period of no longer than 180 days after the date of a major disaster declaration. 

Eligible work in this policy pertains to all building code and floodplain management ordinance administration and enforcement activities performed in a designated area of the major disaster declaration and related to the repair, replacement or retrofit of disaster-damaged structures in the jurisdiction of the applicant. This may include public, private and residential structures. 

Eligible costs under this policy will be funded at the Permanent Work cost-share applicable to the disaster. Please see the full policy and FAQs and overview video for more information regarding eligible work activities, costs and documentation.

Though this policy authorizes FEMA to help with eligible building code and floodplain management administration and enforcement activities, reimbursement is not guaranteed. NFIP participating communities, regardless of the potential for reimbursement, are required to carry out and enforce their local building code and floodplain management ordinances; this includes making substantial damage determinations. These activities help ensure the health and safety of residents and offer opportunities to build a more resilient community.

If you have any questions concerning this Public Assistance policy, feel free to contact Eric Learn, Public Assistance Officer, Wisconsin Emergency Management, at 608-242-3200 or Eric.learn@wisconsin.gov.

Application Period For Municipal Flood Control Grants Program Now Open

River Bend Park, Jefferson County 2008

Thank you for your interest in the DNR’s Municipal Flood Control (MFC) Grant Program. We are pleased to announce the 2022 MFC Application Period is now open and accepting applications.

For all application materials and additional information beyond this notice, please visit this webpage and look under the Apply tab.  

Total Available Grant Funding

The most recent biennial budget maintained available funding for MFC grants at $2 million. Additionally, re-allocated grant funds from prior grant cycles not fully used by grantees will be rolled into available funding for this grant period. As a result, the initial total available funding for the next MFC grant cycle is roughly $2.42 million. This number will be updated closer to the application deadline.

 Maximum Grant Award

Under Wisconsin statutes, no single applicant may be awarded more than 20% of the total available funding. For this MFC application period, the largest possible grant award for one individual project is $484,000.

 Matching Funds

MFC grants offer up to a 50% cost share of total eligible project costs. Project applicants are required to provide matching funds equal to or greater than the amount of the grant award (i.e. 50% match). Eligible sources of matching funds vary, but other state funds are not eligible as a match. All match sources must be identified in the grant application and confirmed at the time of application submission.

Deadline for Complete Grant Application Requests

The application deadline for the 2022 MFC Application Period is March 15, 2022. Complete application packages not received by the MFC Grant Program Manager through postal or electronic mail by close of business on March 15, 2022, will not be considered.

Please be aware that several application components such as local resolutions and appraisals can take time to complete. It is important to start the application process early to help assure a complete application package by the deadline.

Applicants must provide one hard copy via postal mail or one emailed electronic copy of all application documents.

Send postal mail submissions of complete application packages to:

Elisabeth Kuisis - CF/2
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921

 Send email submissions of complete application packages to:

Elisabeth.Kuisis@wisconsin.gov 

 IMPORTANT DEADLINE INFORMATION: Both the electronic and paper application copies must be received by the MFC Grant Program Manager on or before the close of business on March 15, 2022. Incomplete, partial, or ineligible submittals and submittals received after the receipt deadline will be pulled from the project selection process.

NOTE: The time between submitting a complete application and receiving a grant contract ranges from six to 12 months, depending on the details of the project priority type and the review process. While we strive to make grant awards as quickly as possible, applicants should keep this timeframe in mind when applying for Municipal Flood Control grants.

Project Type Ranking and Funding Priority List: Since the MFC grant program is increasingly competitive, now is the time to start putting together a great application.

The following eligible project types are listed in the priority order in which they will be ranked according to Wis. Admin. Code § NR 199.05(1). Project types 1 through 4 are determined by structure location within floodplain district boundaries on a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). Please reference this map when determining your acquisition project type.

For more details about eligible activities, application requirements and more, visit the DNR webpage here.

Under the eligibility tab, you can find information to help you identify if your project is feasible under this grant program and where it falls in the project priority ranking.

Questions

DNR Grant Manager - questions regarding grant applications, administration, or payments:

Elisabeth (Lis) Kuisis
DNR MFC Grant Program Manager
608-400-3005 or Elisabeth.Kuisis@Wisconsin.gov 

DNR Floodplain Management Policy Coordinator – Any floodplain or technical questions:

Brian Cunningham
DNR CFM State NFIP Coordinator
608-220-5633 or Brian.Cunningham@Wisconsin.gov

Good luck with all your Municipal Flood Control project applications!

Risk Rating 2.0 Is Here

FEMA is rating flood insurance premiums in a new way. Starting Oct. 1, 2021, all new policies will be subject to the new rating methodology, and renewing policies will be eligible to take advantage of any discount. On or after April 1, 2022, all remaining policies will be phased into the new rating methodology on their renewal.

Some of the overall goals for the new rating methodology include:

• Reducing complexity
• Eliminating Elevation Certificate requirement to write the policy, but can be used to set a better rate
• Simplifying information needed from the agent to write the policy (will use different rating factors)
• Promoting investment in mitigation
• Expanding Community Rating System discounts (discounts now for all policies)
• Leveraging more location-specific information
• Reflecting prior claims
• Factoring in replacement costs

What Are The New Rating Factors?

The current flood insurance premium ratings (for newer buildings) rely mainly on the FEMA map zone and lowest floor elevation versus the Base Flood Elevation. The Risk Rating 2.0 rating engine will consider many different factors, including:

• Distance to flooding source.
• Flood type (riverine or Great Lakes).
• Building replacement cost.
• Building foundation and construction type.
• First-floor elevation.
• Ground elevation (lowest adjacent grade).
• Considering urban flooding and whether behind a levee.
• Probability of damage for more flood frequencies below and above 1% annual chance flood elevation, including up to 10,000-year flood (depending on data available in that area).

What’s Staying The Same?

• FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps will continue to be used to determine mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements and floodplain boundaries in local floodplain management ordinances.
• Only those in communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are eligible to purchase the federally backed NFIP flood insurance.
• Letters of Map Amendments and Letters of Map Revisions will still be issued to amend or revise the maps.
• Increased Cost of Compliance assistance will continue.
• Discounts for those in Community Rating System will continue and expand to all policies.
• Limits on annual premium increases such as 18% per year on individual rates will remain, phasing in the increases in rates.
• Can still transfer better rates by assigning flood insurance policy when property changes ownership.

General Information About Premium Changes

In collaboration with The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) produced interactive maps that show where flood insurance rates are expected to decrease, increase or remain the same — and by how much — under FEMA Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action. Users can zoom in to view changes at the zip code level for existing single-family home policies and all existing NFIP policies. 

Future Floodplain Management Training Save The Date

Jan. 6, 2022:  Substantial Damage Virtual Workshop to be Hosted

 Workshop Topics:

• The substantial damage estimation process
• Purpose of substantial damage
• How to determine if projects meet the substantial damage criteria
• How building officials regulate and administer the requirements
• Permitting of flood-damaged structures
• DRRA Section 1206

Who Should Attend?

All community floodplain zoning administrators, community officials, building officials and other development professionals are encouraged to attend.

Registration:

Workshops are free to attend and registration is required. Watch for registration information in upcoming communications.

STAFFING UPDATE DNR Regional Water Management Engineer Staff Changes

The DNR Dam Safety/Floodplain Management Program would like to congratulate our regional Water Management Engineers Mark Stephenson and Miles Winkler on their recent retirements and Uriah Monday’s promotion to State Dam Safety Engineer.

Currently, these three Regional Water Management Engineer positions are being filled. Regional WMEs are your local contacts for dam and floodplain questions.  Please see the dam safety web page for a complete list of the WMEs by county, including telephone numbers, email addresses and mailing addresses.

New State Dam Safety Engineer

Please join us in welcoming Uriah Monday as the new DNR Waterways Program State Dam Safety Engineer! Uriah’s contact information is 608-225-6716 or uriah.monday@wisconsin.gov.   Uriah will be stationed in Madison starting after the first of the year. Until that time, he will be stationed at the Fitchburg Service Center. Uriah shared the following remarks: I came to the DNR in early 2020 after over 21 years as a civil engineering consultant, most of which was spent in a workgroup specializing in water resources projects. Over those years, I had experience in dam design and floodplain analysis but also in surveying and land development, municipal infrastructure design, stormwater management and waterway/wetlands permitting.  I like really getting a feel for project settings and places and trying to apply an eye for detail in the interest of making something work just a little better. Dams are each their own one-of-a-kind structure when you consider their unique natural surroundings, and it’s interesting to dig into each one’s own special challenges and solutions. In my time here, I have really enjoyed working with all the WMEs around the state and collaborating on ideas and problem-solving, and I am excited to expand and strengthen those connections in my new role.  I’m a Wisconsin native and have lived in-state all my life (except for college years in Illinois). My wife of 20+ years is a Chicago-suburb native and has adapted well to Sconnie culture – she’s as fond of the Packers, Badgers, cheese and supper clubs as the rest of us but will never ever give up her beloved Cubbies. We have two sons – a high-schooler and a college kid – who have gotten involved in the band program, choir, Scouts and other community activities over the years.   While I wouldn’t really say I have true “hobbies” I do enjoy cooking and pretty much like doing anything with my family. Camping, canoeing, hiking and fishing are popular with the boys, and my wife and I like “supper clubbing” and finding a good glass of wine and/or craft beer. COVID-19 related newfound activities include trying out new strategy games and taking the plunge on trying my hand at home improvement projects (despite being an engineer, I’m NOT a handyman.)  I’m excited to continue serving and learning here in my new position and looking forward to doing my part in keeping Wisconsin the great place that I know it is.  Congratulations, Uriah!

New Shoreland Zoning Regulatory Expert

The department is pleased to announce that we have hired a new Shoreland Zoning Regulatory Expert in our Waterways program, Mike Wenholz. Mike starts on Nov. 22, 2021. Mike should be familiar to some of you as he returns to the program he previously spent six years working in. Mike ensures consistent, efficient, and effective statewide implementation and coordination of Wisconsin’s Shoreland Zoning Program in this new role. He will provide technical, policy and regulatory expertise to zoning administrators, department staff and other stakeholders interested in and working under NR 115, NR 117, and NR 118, Wisconsin Administrative Code. Mike has approximately 25 years of experience working on various water, shoreland zoning, solid waste, aquatic toxicology, brownfield redevelopment, recreational trails and transportation planning projects for numerous sectors with a wide variety of people. Prior to this position, Mike was a senior planner with a bi-state regional transportation agency working on a wide variety of transportation planning issues, most notably coordinating the development and implementation of the Duluth-Superior area Long Range Transportation Plan and leading a unique Harbor Technical Advisory Committee (HTAC). Before that, Mike worked for over 15 years in the department in three different positions. Mike earned a bachelor’s degree in Water Resources – Aquatic Toxicology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, a mater’s degree in Environmental Toxicology from Clemson University, and a second master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning – Land Use Planning from the University of Wisconsin.   Mike enjoys paddling canoes and kayaks, especially while wilderness canoe camping and exploring class 1-2 whitewater rivers. Mike also enjoys exploring and traveling with his wife and live music.

About The Wisconsin Floodplain Management Program

The program's goals are to protect life, health and property; to minimize costs for flood control projects; to reduce tax dollars spent for rescue, relief and repair of flood damage; to shorten business interruptions caused by flooding; to prevent future flood blight areas; to discourage victimization of unwary land and home buyers; and to prevent increased flood levels caused by unwise floodplain development.

Contact Us

Floodplain: Brian Cunningham,  Brian.Cunningham@Wisconsin.gov

Shoreland: Kay Lutze, Kay.Lutze@Wisconsin.gov

Dam Safety: Uriah Monday: Uriah.Monday@Wisconsin.gov

Floodplain and Shoreland Management Notes is published by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Waterways Bureau. The purpose of the newsletter is to inform local zoning officials and others concerned about state and federal floodplain management, flood insurance, shoreland and wetland management, and dam safety issues. Comments or contributions are welcome. Please send comments to DNRFloodplain@Wisconsin.gov.

This newsletter is supported by funding through the FEMA Cooperative Agreement as part of the Community Assistance Program-State Support Services Element of the National Flood Insurance Program. The contents do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the federal government.