WHAT: City of Rockaway Beach Public Hearing on Ordinance 2025-05 Amending Zoning Ordinance Related to Flood Hazard Overlay Zone and Public Hearing on Ordinance 2025-06 Amending Comprehensive Plan Related to Flood Hazard Overlay Zone
WHEN: Wednesday, November 12, 2025 – 6:00 P.M.
WHERE: Rockaway Beach City Hall, 276 Hwy 101 – Civic Facility
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT:
Per the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), all communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are required to implement Pre-Implementation Compliance Measures (PICMs). These PICMs provide communities with the authority to regulate/limit/prevent development in Special Floodplain Hazard Areas (SFHAs). This is a significant opportunity to protect our precious floodplains and wetlands and improve public safety. These measures must assure “no net loss” to one or more key floodplain functions. Three broad options were provided which roughly translate to:
- Permit-by-Permit – This is considered to be the least protective of SFHAs
- Model Ordinance – Moderately protective of SFHAs
- Prohibit Development – Most protective of SFHAs
It is important to note that there are active high-level lawsuits that have delayed final direction from FEMA, but these interim ordinance and comprehensive plan modifications will set the stage for how well a community can protect its SFHAs in the meantime. What the City of Rockaway Beach is proposing to adopt on November 12th, is the least protective option of Permit-by-Permit. In fact, the City stated that: “Adoption of the ordinances will ensure compliance with the minimum standards for participation in the NFIP in Oregon” (emphasis added)
HOW TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT
• Written Comments may be submitted electronically by sending an email no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting to CityHall@Corb.us
• In Person – sign-up sheet and instructions will be located on the table outside of the meeting room
• Virtually on Zoom – use the “raise hand” feature when the Mayor announces it is time to do so
POTENTIAL TALKING POINTS (questions dick.nccwp@gmail.com)
Request that City does not proceed with the least protective option
Ask the City to consider prohibiting development in the SFHAs which would:
Prevent catastrophic loss to property
Protect our precious wetlands
Protect the groundwater wells that are part of our drinking water system
Protect several species of fish that rely on these areas
Protect other critical species that rely on these ecosystems
Reduce flooding potential
Demonstrating “No Net Loss” to a key floodplain function is extremely difficult to accomplish, regulate, or monitor.
Detailed information on the City’s proposed ordinance and comprehensive plan modifications can be found at Community Development – City of Rockaway Beach
The beavers and the frogs who live in the wetland are standing alert.
NCCWP wants no more logging and pesticide use in community water sources regardless of who owns the land, and wants an end to pesticide applications near where people live, work, and recreate. Sate drinking water and clean air are part of the public trust that we all are entitled to have. Please help North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection safeguard and restore our drinking watersheds. www.healthywatershed.org | www.facebook.com/NCCWATERSHEDPROTECTION For more information, contact rockawaycitizen.water@gmail.com