PUBLIC

NOTICE

Summary

Public Notice FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) — Endangered Species Act (ESA) Integration.  Comments on the draft Environmental Impact Statement are due by October 6, 2025 Join a virtual public meeting to learn, review and comment on the Draft EIS and the potential benefits and impacts of alternatives.  Tuesday, Sept. 30, 6 to 8 p.m. PDT.  Registration information available here (elkhorn media) or Grant County Planning Department website. The outcome of the draft EIS will determine how flood permits are administered for projects in much of Oregon (see map for details Elkhorn media or Grant County Planning Department) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) — Endangered Species Act (ESA) Integration in Oregon will require no net loss of three floodplain functions listed below: Flood Storage – no net increase in fill (either soil or building) Water Quality – no net increase in impervious surface Riparian Vegetation – no net loss of trees Complying with these requirements will increase the cost of development and construction and may require additional land be purchased or committed to mitigation activities. There will be costs for every jurisdiction (Counties and Cities) to implement these changes and likely additional costs related to processing flood development permits. FEMA has published a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and updated Draft Implementation Plan for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)-Endangered Species Act (ESA) Integration in Oregon.  The Draft EIS has presented three alternatives. Alternative 1 would allow the NFIP to continue to operate in Oregon without costly changes. Alternatives 2 and 3 require costly mitigation of all development in floodplains.  Communities, agencies, and the public are encouraged to review and comment on the Draft EIS and updated Draft Implementation Plan.  Please comment so FEMA will have input about which alternative they should select and why. FEMA BiOp (Biological Opinion) Information National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) — Endangered Species Act (ESA) Integration will cause changes to requirements for flood management and permitting activities.  FEMA has published a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and updated Draft Implementation Plan for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)-Endangered Species Act (ESA) Integration in Oregon. Comments can be submitted to FEMA through October 6, 2025.  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXEOvcLwxuznMKgaZ_UyQNUiTGzKOi7JXXS5G23DUWPXuLvA/viewform?pli=1 Communities, agencies, and the public are encouraged to review and comment on the Draft EIS and updated Draft Implementation Plan. More information is available on the Grant County website:  https://grantcountyoregon.net/578/FEMA-BiOp-Biological-Opionion-Informatio RESOURCES Link to FEMA’s website where the draft Environmental Impact Statement and FEMA’s draft implementation plan for implementation of the 2016 Oregon Biological Opinion can be accessed:  https://www.fema.gov/about/organization/region-10/oregon/nfip-esa-integration. Link to the FEMA documents:  https://www.fema.gov/about/organization/region-10/oregon/nfip-esa-integration/esa-resources  If you are interested in attending a virtual meeting, meeting dates and times are listed towards the bottom of the page under Public Engagement.  Oregonians for Floodplain Protection Oregonians for Floodplain Protection is a broad-based coalition.  Members include local governments, special districts, businesses, trade associations, industry and agriculture associations, individuals and other groups. It is a 501(c)(4) organization.  Oregonians for Floodplain Protection, has filed a lawsuit in the D.C. District Court challenging the Oregon Biological Opinion and Pre-Implementation Compliance Measures (PICMs) that FEMA has ordered Oregon cities and counties to implement as a condition of continued participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  The Oregonians for Floodplain Protection website:  https://floodplainprotection.org/ contains background information on the NFIP as well as a summary of FEMA’s proposal and impacts.  Oregonians for Floodplain Protection will continue to update their website and provide information to the public on various matters related to the Oregon Biological Opinion.

Notice Date: Wednesday, September 24th, 2025

• County: Grant
• Notice Type: Public Meeting Public Notice
• City: Canyon City John Day Mt. Vernon Prairie City Seneca

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