Many of you have seen and wondered about the legal notices in the Albuquerque Journal regarding changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) floodplain mapping in certain Placitas areas. While the use of taxpayer monies for flood control being used for this activity has been questioned, the purpose of this article is not to debate the merits of such expenditures, but to explain briefly what is going on.
One of the first activities that was undertaken by the Eastern Sandoval County Flood Control Authority (ESCAFCA) was to better identify floodplain limits along several arroyos in Placitas using updated surveys and analyses. The purpose was to either remove properties from the floodplains and eliminate the need for mandatory flood insurance or to reduce current flood insurance rates. Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM’s) produced by FEMA show properties that are subject to a 1% annual chance (100-year storm) or greater chance of flooding in any given year.
Once the analysis for an area has been reviewed by FEMA, a public comment period of 90 days is required. The revised maps were made available for review at the Sandoval County Floodplain Administrator’s Office (155 Idalia Road, Suite D, Bernalillo) and at the Placitas Community Library. Property owners affected by the changes were notified by mail. The comment period for the first revised floodplain maps expired in January and FEMA has issued the LOMR’s.
This process has taken over two years to complete. The revised maps may be viewed by following this link: https://www.onlinefilefolder.com/3fkokEsL5uDSqp, and using the password escafca.
Rev. Panel 1909 of 2225 includes portions of Placitas Trails, Anasazi Meadows, Anasazi Trails, and Sky Mountain. Be warned-this is a very large file and will take a few minutes to download.
Rev. Panel 1917 of 2225 includes portions of Desert Mountain and Placitas West.
Rev. Panel 1950 of 2225 includes areas in Anasazi Trails and Tierra Madre.
A second set of maps are currently available for review at the Sandoval County Floodplain Administrator’s office and the Placitas Library until April 27, 2012. These maps affect areas in Cedar Creek, Tres Amigos and The Overlook. The maps can also be viewed at https://www.rampp-team.com/lomrs.htm#regionVI.
The actual number of residences taken out of the floodplains through this effort has not been quantified by ESCAFCA. The number of structures (including outbuildings, barns, sheds, etc.) that have been taken out range from 290 to 400, depending on who you talk to. The total amount expended to date for the Placitas LOMR’s is $193,360.18. An additional $175,046.65 has been spent on the Las Huertas Arroyo LOMR and Prudent Line Study.