Interested Property Owners in Urged to Attend Open House with the Experts
Following an extensive, multi-year study of the Roaring Fork watershed, and surrounding creeks and drainages, Pitkin County and the City of Aspen are rolling out the preliminary new official floodplain maps to the public at an open house next week.
The maps, also known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps, had not been updated since 1987. In 2009 FEMA officials approached the City and County recommending the new study. FEMA contributed 75% of the $517,220 price tag. The remainder of the cost was funded by grants from Pitkin County Healthy Rivers, the City of Aspen, Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, the Colorado Water Conservation Board and an in-kind contribution from the Pitkin County GIS Department.
“Floodplains change over time and with that the risk of flooding can change for people who own property in floodplains, said Assistant Director of Community Development, Lance Clarke.
Property owners will have the opportunity to review the maps with advice and counseling by FEMA, Colorado Water Conservancy officials and flood insurance experts on Tuesday, September 29th from 5 to 7 p.m. in the BOCC Plaza 1 meeting room, 530 East Main St., Aspen.
The new maps are preliminary and have not yet been adopted by FEMA. Officials want local residents and business owners to review the proposed maps to identify any concerns or questions.
During the event participants will be able to see their properties online using GIS technology with a floodplain map overlay. Experts will be available to explain what should be done if properties are located in a floodplain and what property owners can do to protect their home or business from the consequences of a flood.
“This is a rare opportunity for local property owners to meet one-on-one with FEMA officials and insurance experts to find out how these new maps may affect their property,” said Assistant Community Development Director, Lance Clarke.
The public can now access the preliminary maps on FEMA’s website: https://msc.fema.gov/portal.