HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 8/16/2016 - Memorandum From Jon Haukaas Re Update On The Boxelder Basin Regional Stormwater Authority (Bbrsa) Floodplain Modification Process And ScheduleUpdate to Boxelder Creek Floodplain Revisions
July 2016
The purpose of the memorandum is to provide interested parties with an update to the schedule for the
FEMA map revisions along Boxelder Creek as a result of the construction of the regional stormwater
improvements. These map revisions have been part of a process started well over 10 years ago resulting in
the establishment of the Boxelder Basin Regional Stormwater Authority (Authority ) which was formed
in 2008 by the City of Fort Collins, Larimer County and the Town of Wellington. Since 2012 the
Authority has worked closely with the City of Fort Collins, Larimer County and the Town of Timnath and
its Timnath Development Authority (TDA) on four related regional stormwater improvements.
1. The East Side Detention Facility is located on the east side of Interstate Highway 25 (I-25)
across from the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. The dry detention storage reservoir has recently been
completed by the Authority and will temporarily detain up to 1800 ac-ft. of stormwater in a 100-
year storm event
2. The Larimer Weld Canal Crossing Structure, a side flow spillway recently completed by the
Authority will allow stormwater to flow over the Larimer-Weld Canal in a controlled manner
and prevent overtopping of the canal upstream.
3. The opening of the final two additional box culverts under I-25 north of the Prospect interchange
by the City of Fort Collins and the Town of Timnath will eliminate the overflow floodplain on
the east side of I25 flowing toward the Timnath Growth Area. This opening is targeted for
completion in August 2016.
4. The Boxelder Outfall and Prospect Road Improvements west of I-25 currently under
construction by the City of Fort Collins and the Town of Timnath will convey stormwater more
efficiently under Prospect Road. These improvements are targeted for completion in September
2016.
In early discussions it was decided that the map revision submittal packages for these four projects should
be submitted as one submittal in order to better coordinate the review process through the City of Fort
Collins, Larimer County and FEMA. Accordingly, the Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR)
required by FEMA prior to construction was submitted in this manner in December 2014. As the design
and construction of these projects continued, we envisioned a similar submittal for the Letter of Map
Revision (LOMR) process through FEMA. This process typically takes a period of four to six months
after the LOMR is submitted to FEMA. Based on this understanding, our targeted schedule for the formal
approval of the LOMR was July or August of 2017.
In recent discussions with FEMA, however, due to the large area covered by the map revision the
submittal is now likely to be required to go through a Physical Map Revision (PMR) process. This
DocuSign Envelope ID: 953889D8-9C63-44A1-8568-E2829833961F
process requires two additional 6-month review periods and a public comment period. The result of this
new process will, in all likelihood, result in the FEMA formal approval of the LOMR not being finalized
until June of 2018 or perhaps as late as January 2019.
At this point in time, we are evaluating possible options to shorten this review process and plan to
continue discussions with FEMA. Obviously this longer review and approval time is not what we had
planned. We intend to evaluate alternatives to shorten this new schedule. A copy of the updated projects
and LOMR review and approval schedule is attached to this memo.
Updates regarding the schedule for the LOMR review and approval will be provided in the regular
monthly Authority Board Meetings.
Respectfully,
Stan A Myers Ken Sampley Mark Peterson Don Taranto
Authority Manager Water Utilities County Engineer Town Engineer
Boxelder Basin Regional Engineering Manager Larimer County Town of Timnath
Stormwater Authority City of Fort Collins
DocuSign Envelope ID: 953889D8-9C63-44A1-8568-E2829833961F
DocuSign Envelope ID: 953889D8-9C63-44A1-8568-E2829833961F
DocuSign Envelope ID: 953889D8-9C63-44A1-8568-E2829833961F