EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks to Paul Fournier for putting together this information that explains the implications of the FEMA “BiOp” – Biological Opinion — that we’ve been hearing about for several years, will have on our community. It’s a complicated and confusing process that most think doesn’t affect them, but it will. Now, FEMA is moving toward implementation even though local officials have been lobbying heavily for a “cease and desist” of the plan’s implementation. See below for links to the FEMA Biological Opinion, how to submit comments and links to upcoming virtual meetings to provide testimony.
By Paul Fournier, Netarts
Last week’s FEMA public comment meeting at the Port regarding proposed modifications to the National Flood Insurance Plan (NFIP) was well attended, despite FEMA’s negligence in effectively informing local residents. Thanks to Community Development Director Sarah Absher for helping to get the word out to community members despite a short notice. (NOTE: The county received notice of the meeting less than a week before it was scheduled.)
Under the proposed modifications to the NFIP there would be sweeping changes that could affect residents, property owners, visitors and businesses throughout our county. The meeting was a perfect display of how the people of Tillamook County can find common ground and come together when it comes protecting our property rights, our culture and our quality of life.
Throughout the meeting, local farmers, fishers, loggers, realtors, community leaders and business owners pushed back on the vague, if not downright misleading, FEMA powerpoint and information being presented by its representatives. It was encouraging to see County Commissioners Mary Faith Bell and David Yamamoto stand united in their opposition to FEMA’s plan.
If you believe the proposed modifications won’t impact you because you don’t own land in the floodplain, think again. If the county refuses to enforce FEMA’s ordinance, Tillamook County and its residents and businesses, would no longer be able to participate in the NFIP, or be recipients of any FEMA disaster relief funds. That means if any bridges or roadways are destroyed in a disaster, they would have to be repaired without FEMA federal disaster assistance. Also, building/rebuilding damaged structures within the floodplain would become exponentially more expensive due to the cost of additional permits and environmental impact studies.
Port of Garibaldi Manager Michael Saindon confirmed with the FEMA reps that routine maintenance dredging, which is necessary to keep the channel navigable to the Federal allowable depth, would become impractical or impossible under their proposed plan. What happens to our commercial fishing fleet if they can’t navigate the channels to land their catch? What happens to water recreation when boat ramps can’t be dredged? How will organizations such at the Tillamook Estuary Project (TEP) be affected by the proposed changes, when habitat restorative actions in the floodplain would be considered development and therefore be met with the same restrictions, costs and permitting that a new commercial development would bring? These are questions that FEMA could not, or would not answer.
Think about all the businesses located within the floodplain on Hwy 101. They are all in the crosshairs of FEMA’s plan. Incidentally, FEMA can redraw the floodplain boundaries anytime it deems necessary, adding more homes, properties and business to their floodplain map, at will. I believe the proposed modifications could change the very fabric of this community.
As was echoed by many at the meeting, our community gets no credit for the amazing flood, endangered species and habitat mitigation we have already accomplished voluntarily. Millions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of work-hours have been spent in the past two decades to get to where we are today. Yet, we get no credit. (NOTE: See Pioneer stories about the Salmon SuperHwy.)
In some waterways in Tillamook County recently, you could legally retain the very-same federally protected Coho salmon FEMA claims these modifications are needed to help. If the fish and their habitat in our county aren’t doing well, how is it that they are thriving to the point that Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife believed that recreational retention could be permitted? Still, we get no credit.
I don’t think that the FEMA scientists tasked with the presentation at the Port believed that a small rural community would respond in such a unified, well-researched, educated and proactive fashion. It was impressive. But due to a lack of public transparency on FEMA’s part, the battle for our community is just beginning, and we need more time.
Public comments on this matter close on May 5, 2023, and there aren’t any future in-person comment meetings planned. I believe a court-ordered pause to FEMA’s plan is reasonable and needed so that our community can educate themselves to what FEMA really plans to do with their 100-plus page document. This is where our elected officials must step in.
I urge every resident, homeowner and business in Tillamook County to thoroughly research this issue and stand with your neighbors in fighting back this misguided and devastating plan. Contact State Representatives Cyrus Javadi and Senator Suzanne Weber and ask them to get actively involved. Reach out to Oregon’s US Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, along with US Representative Suzanne Bonamici, and relay the importance of their immediate involvement and political action in this matter.
Tillamook County might not currently get credit from FEMA for all the work we have done, but by presenting a unified front, our community can work together to get the credit and proper consideration we deserve in matters that decide the future of our community.
WATCH VIDEO OF FEMA/NFIP Tillamook meeting:
Jane Scott just uploaded her video of the FEMA BiOp meeting on April 5th.
This has critical information about every property in Tillamook county.
It is 2.5 hours long but very important information about the future of flood insurance here.
You can get a summary of the impact from Tillamook County Commissioner David Yamamoto at time marker 41:00.
After hearing Commissioner Yamamoto’s comments, you’ll likely want to hear the rest of the testimonies from the 200+ county residents that were in attendance.
https://tctv.viebit.com/player.php?hash=MaNgrVuIgZzF
Here are links to FEMA’s Biological Opinion – https://www.fema.gov/about/organization/region-10/oregon/nfip-esa-integration
There are several other opportunities to provide testimony – there will be two virtual meetings – see links below:
Public Meetings
FEMA will be hosting virtual and in-person public meetings to solicit comments regarding the Proposed Action and the environmental issues that FEMA should consider in the EIS.