HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 87-004 Urging Pima County to oppose adoption of updated FEMA flood hazard maps and to postpone finalization of Tortolita Alluvial Fan flood hazard mappingRESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF MARANA
TOWN COUNCIL
NO. 87-04
WHEREAS, Flood Insurance studies of the Tortolita Alluvial Fan
Area have been professionally prepared for Pima County in 1984/85,
and submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
and their Technical Evaluation Contractor (TEC) in 1985; and,
WHEREAS, Flood hazard zones, with associated depth and velocity
were identified in the flood insurance studies pursuant to FEMA's
alluvial fan computer model, which takes into account the formation
of incised, below-grade channels in an alluvial fan area, as
opposed to average zone-wide flooding depths above existing grade,
and,
WHEREAS, FEMA and its TEC have subsequently modified flood hazard
zone delineation criteria to effectively eliminate alluvial fan
analytical methods in the Tortolita Alluvial Fan Area, and have
substituted inappropriate zone designations suitable to the anal-
yses and methodologies for other areas that have significant ge-
ographical differences; and,
WHEREAS, Such substitution of zone designations results in gross
flood hazard mapping errors over 50 to 70 square miles of urbanizing
land in Pima County which, if the map is adopted, would create
severe and unreasonable hardships relative to the attainment of
adopted area plan objectives and affordable housing; and,
WHEREAS, Reasonable flood hazard regulations and mapping need to
be formulated and adopted for the Tortolita Alluvial Fan Area and
similar alluvial fans in the Southwest,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of
Marsha, as follows:
1. That Pima County be urged to oppose adoption of updated
FEMA flood hazard maps as presently presented for the
Tortolita Fan Area.
2. That FEMA be urged to postpone finalization of Tortolita
Alluvial Fan flood hazard mapping until appropriate
criteria for flood hazard definition and mapped description
have been adopted for alluvial fan areas in the Southwest.
Passed and Adopted March 16, 1987.
ATTEST:
Town