RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DRBC FLOOD ADVISORY COMMITTEE (FAC) FOR MORE EFFECTIVE FLOODPLAIN REGULATIONS IN THE DELAWARE RIVER BASIN

The Delaware River Basin Interstate Flood Mitigation Task Force issued a report in July 2007 identifying recommendations for a proactive, sustainable and systematic approach to flood damage reduction. One of the six priority management areas identified by the Task Force was floodplain regulations.

In May 2008, Commissioners from New Jersey and Pennsylvania requested that that a subcommittee of the DRBC Flood Advisory Committee (FAC) be formed to address Task Force Recommendation FR-1: Catalog, Evaluate and Update Existing Floodplain Regulations in the Basin.           

The Floodplain Regulations Evaluation Subcommittee (FRES) was formed in November 2008 to review and evaluate the similarities and differences in floodplain regulations throughout the Delaware River Basin and to develop and present recommendations on the potential for more effective floodplain management throughout the basin. The Floodplain Regulations Evaluation Subcommittee delivered its report to the DRBC Flood Advisory Committee on May 19, 2009. The report reviews and evaluates existing floodplain regulations throughout the Delaware River Basin and presents recommendations for more effective floodplain management to the FAC. The release of the report and its presentation to the FAC do not implement nor recommend a means of implementing new land use regulations.

Following a review of the FRES report, FAC members met on August 26, 2009 to discuss the subcommittee's recommendations. Following deliberation and some modification, the FAC presented its findings and recommendations for more effective floodplain regulations to the DRBC Commissioners and public on October 22, 2009.

Should the Commission decide to move forward with any of the recommendations, a full rulemaking process will be conducted with public notice and opportunities for public comment.

Recommendations For More Effective Floodplain Regulations In The Delaware River Basin
October, 2009

Letter to DRBC Commissioners from John Moyle, FAC Chair (175 KB*)

Report - Recommendations of the Flood Advisory Committee (330 KB*)

Appendix 1 - Floodplain Regulations Matrix (25 KB*)

Appendix 2 - FRES Representatives and Meeting Agendas (35 KB*)

Appendix 3 - Correspondence: Letters Submitted to the FAC from May - October 2009 (4.5 MB*)

View Full Report (Recommendations of the Flood Advisory Committee and Appendices) (5 MB*)

	Subcommittee Representatives*
	Subcommittee Charge*
	Subcommittee Report – May 19, 2009*

	Meeting Agenda*
	Presentation on Committee Composition and Background* – given by Dan Fitzpatrick, PA Dept. of Community and Economic Development (PADCED)
	Presentation on the Basics of Floodplain Management and Planning in New Jersey* (2 MB) – given by Vince Mazzei, NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)
	Presentation on Proposed Subcommittee Considerations* (1.4 MB) – given by Laura Tessieri, DRBC

	Meeting Agenda*
	Presentation on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)* (1.1 MB) – prepared by Joe Zagone, FEMA RIII; given by Kim Dunn of Dewberry and Jim DeAngelo of Michael Baker
	Presentation on DRBC Floodplain Regulations* – given by William Muszynski, DRBC
	Presentation on No Adverse Impact (NAI) Approach to Floodplain and Watershed Management (2 parts): Introduction* (2.1 MB) and Regulations* (2.2 MB) – given by Kimberly Bitters, co-chair of the ASFPM NAI Policy Committee

	Meeting Agenda*
	Presentation on Pennsylvania Floodplain Regulations* – given by Dan Fitzpatrick, PADCED
	Presentation on New Jersey Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules* – given by Vince Mazzei, NJDEP

	Meeting Agenda*
	Presentation on New York State Floodplain Regulations* – given by Bill Nechamen, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
	Presentation on Flood Damage Prevention in Delaware County, NY* (1.1 MB) – given by Nicole Franzese, Delaware County Planning Department
	Presentation on New Castle County, Delaware Floodplain Regulations* (1 MB) – given by John J. Gysling, P.E., CFM, New Castle County Department of Land Use

	Meeting Agenda*
	Presentation on Buffers 100: Beside Every Good Stream is a Good Forest* – given by Bill Wendelgass, Pennsylvania Campaign for Clean Water
	List of Studies on Conservation Design and Riparian Buffers* – compiled by Bill Wendelgass, Pennsylvania Campaign for Clean Water
	Presentation on The Importance and Benefits of Forested Buffers* (4.5 MB) – given by Bern Sweeney, Stroud Water Research Center

	Meeting Agenda*
	Presentation on Legal Implications of No Adverse Impact Floodplain Management* (5.8 MB) – given by Edward Thomas, Esq., Michael Baker
	Recent Floodplain Management Legal Publications Available Online* – compiled by Edward Thomas, Esq., Michael Baker

Meeting Agenda*

Meeting Agenda*

	Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
	NFIP Minimum Requirements (44 CFR 59)
	NFIP Minimum Requirements (44 CFR 60)
	Floodplain Management Requirements, A Study Guide and Desk Reference for Local Officials (FEMA 480 February, 2005) (Units 2, 5, and 6)

	Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC)
	DRBC Floodplain Regulations
	New Jersey
	NJDEP Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules* (1 MB) (N.J.A.C. 7:13)
	Pennsylvania
	PA Floodplain Management Act* (Act 166-1978)
	Guidance from PADCED on How Municipalities can Meet the Minimum NFIP Requirements*
	New York State (NYS)
	Floodplain Management Criteria for State Projects (6NYCRR Part 502)
	NYS Residential Building Code* (Chapter III, Section R323)
	NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Guidance - Optional Additional Language to Model Local Law for Flood Damage Prevention*
	Delaware
	Unified Development Code Section 40.10.310 - Environmental Standards, Floodplains, and Floodways (New Castle County)

	No Adverse Impact - Association of State Floodplain Managers
	National Flood Programs and Policies in Review - Association of State Floodplain Managers, 2007
	Effective State Floodplain Management Programs - Association of State Floodplain Managers, 2003*
	Riverine Erosion Hazard Areas Mapping Feasibility Study - FEMA, 1999
	Delaware River Basin Interstate Flood Mitigation Task Force Action Agenda, July 2007
	Delaware River Basin Map*

*The free Adobe Reader is required to view.

---

Questions? Laura Tessieri , (609) 883-9500 ext. 304

Return to the Flood Advisory Committee Page

Return to the Interstate Flood Task Force Page

Return to the DRBC Home Page

Last Updated: October 28, 2009

---