Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

JPs To Wait On Maps Before Approving Flood Building Code

Two items were tabled by JPs during the regular meeting of the Nevada County quorum court Monday, July 12.

JPs decided to wait for maps showing possible flood areas in the county before making a decision whether to approve a flood building code and joining the National Flood Insurance Program.

Without passing the code, some county residents will not be able to get necessary flood insurance on their property and unable to get a loan to build or finance their property through any agency which has funds available through the federal government (i.e. banks, credit unions, etc.).

In addition, some disaster funds could be cut from the federal government if a disaster hits the areas designated as potential flood areas with the code in place.

By approving the flood code, JPs will create more paperwork for the county as well as possibly make it harder for timber companies and loggers to work on property in the flood areas.

Arkansas Soil and Conservation employee David Hagle, who works mainly on flood codes, told JPs that congress has updated the flood building code several times, forcing banks and other federally backed lending institutions to not finance properties without the mandated flood insurance.

Flood insurance, also backed by the federal government, can only be purchased when communities approve the flood code. Nevada County JPs could pass the code, but all incorporated communities would have to do it also.

Flood maps are available for the public and can be ordered off the Internet at a fee. Other information about the flood program can also be found on the Internet at the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.fema.gov/mit/tsd

Hagle responded to several questions from JPs concerning work being done on property in designated flood areas.

JP George Clary questioned whether timber could be cut on property and was told by Hagle it could as long as other federal regulations were passed.

Hagle also told JPs that permits would be needed if a grader or dozer entered that property for any reason.

If JPs pass the code, the county will have to appoint someone to take care of the regulations and issue the permits. In addition fines will have to be considered if permits are not sought before beginning work.

The only works which will not require being checked by authorities are farming on property, pole barns and garages.

County Judge James Roy Brown said it is surprising what is in the flood areas. One piece he mentioned was to the south side of Highway 24 East near Prescott Raceway.

It is hoped the county maps will arrive in time for the regular August meeting.

JPs also tabled a request for funds to upgrade the Nevada County Extension office building.

A request was made for two options on upgrades at a cost of $550 or $2,300. The extension office will receive a computer from the state at no cost to the county when the upgrades are made.