ALASKA RISK MAP PROGRAM Community Risk MAP Studies Kenai Peninsula Borough 2020 Kenai River Physical Map Revision Flood Study Kick-off Meeting Documents Flood Study Kick-off Meeting Presentation, May 1, 2020 Flood Study Kick-off Meeting Notes, May 1, 2020 Flood Risk Review Meeting Documents Planning Commission Flood Study Briefing, March 21, 2022 Flood Risk Review Meeting Presentation, March 23, 2022 On May 1, 2020, a Flood Study Kick-off Meeting with FEMA, State and Local stakeholders was held to discuss the project scope, engineering approaches, and discuss the data collection and modeling completed to date. This project involves the updated mapping for 47 miles of the Kenai River which will be accomplished in two phases: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District (USACE) will conduct multi‐frequency hydrology and hydraulics and 1‐foot increment modeling; and FEMA’s mapping contractor will perform modeling of the floodway and development of floodplain maps. Recent Activity Engineering Model Notification letters were sent electronically to the communities in the project area. These letters detailed the engineering models that would be used in the hydrologic and hydraulic modeling and provide the communities with the opportunity to give feedback on the modeling choices. Generally, FEMA uses standard industry models. The USACE conducted the hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and FEMA’s mapping contractor performed the floodway analysis. Next Steps All draft modeling has concluded and a Flood Risk Review (FRR) meeting has been scheduled for all stakeholders for March 23, 2022. The scope of the FRR meeting is to solicit community feedback on the draft maps in advance of the issuance of Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and inform the communities about the map adoption process. The following table illustrates project status and includes major milestones with dates: Meeting/Deliverable Actual or Projected End Date Flood Study Kick-Off/Scoping Meeting May 1, 2020 Draft Map Release January/February 2022* Flood Risk Review (FRR) Meeting March 23, 2022 Preliminary DFIRM/FIS Release Fall 2022* Consultation Coordination Officers (CCO) Meeting Winter 2022* Public Meeting/Workshop Winter 2022* Appeal Period Starts Winter/Spring 2023* Appeal Period Ends Summer/Fall 2023* Letter of Final Determination Fall/Winter 2023* Maps and FIS become Effective Spring/Summer 2024* *All projected dates are subject to revision as the project progresses Previous FEMA Mapping Studies Several mapping studies have taken place in the Kenai Peninsula Borough over the past several years, in addition to the Risk MAP Coastal Flood Study described in detail below. Homer Spit This Physical Map Revision project included 8 miles of revised coastal hazard analysis that included collection of storm surge data (coastal hydrology) and conduct overland wave height analysis (coastal hydraulics), in addition to computing wave runup. The new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) became effective November 6, 2013. Japanese Creek This project includes the detailed study of 2.5 miles near the confluence of Japanese Creek. The study contains both an alluvial fan and a levee. The study scope includes the development of topography, field survey, basemap, and hydrology, which have all been completed. The project has been placed on hold until FEMA's new levee analysis and mapping approach has been finalized . City of Seward Physical Map Revision This legacy Map Modernization project included the modeling of Bear Creek, Grouse Creek, Kwechak Creek, Resurrection River, Salmon Creek, and Sawmill Creek and mapping within the City of Seward and adjacent Borough lands. The new FIRMs became effective September 27, 2013. Coastal Flood Study FEMA and the State of Alaska finalized a coastal Risk MAP Study in the Kenai Peninsula Borough that began in 2011. The coastal Flood Insurance Study and FIRMS became effective October 20, 2016. Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk MAP Discovery Interview Documents Discovery is the first part of the Risk MAP process. During this initial phase, the State, FEMA and local entities work together to collect data regarding local flood and other hazard risks. FEMA has data on national and regional levels, however FEMA relies heavily on information and data provided by communities because local officials are able to provide a holistic view of their communities and their known risks. The State prioritizes a watershed for Discovery based on evaluations of risk, need, availability of elevation data, regional knowledge of issues, and local input. After this data is collected, the study is evaluated on an extensive list of criteria. Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk MAP Discovery Interview Notes1 Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk MAP Discovery Interview Notes2 Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk MAP Discovery Interview Reference Map Kenai Peninsula Borough Fact Sheet Coastal Flooding Analysis and Mapping Scoping and Data Review City of Homer Risk MAP Discovery Interview Notes City of Homer Risk MAP Discovery Interview Reference Map City of Homer Fact Sheet City of Seward Risk MAP Discovery Interview Notes City of Seward Risk MAP Discovery Interview Reference Map City of Seward Risk Cross Sections City of Seward Fact Sheet Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk MAP Discovery Meeting Documents Discovery is the first part of the Risk MAP process. During this initial phase, the State, FEMA and local entities work together to collect data regarding local flood and other hazard risks. FEMA has data on national and regional levels, however FEMA relies heavily on information and data provided by communities because local officials are able to provide a holistic view of their communities and their known risks. The State prioritizes a watershed for Discovery based on evaluations of risk, need, availability of elevation data, regional knowledge of issues, and local input. After this data is collected, the study is evaluated on an extensive list of criteria. Kenai Peninsula Borough Hazard Mitigation Plan Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk MAP Discovery Meeting Agenda Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk MAP Discovery Meeting Presentation Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk MAP Discovery Meeting Notes Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk MAP Discovery Report Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk MAP Discovery Map Kenai Peninsula Borough Project Area Map Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk MAP Coastal Study Documents Kenai Peninsula Borough Study Scope Kenai Peninsula Borough Study Scope Map Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk MAP Resilience Workshops Resilience is the final phase of the Risk MAP process when stakeholders of the Risk MAP process reflect on how the new information, tools and products of the Risk MAP study can be used to increase resilience in the community. A Resilience Workshop is an in-person meeting led by FEMA, the State Risk MAP Coordinator and the Risk MAP Project Team. The goal of the meeting is to help communities understand the results of the risk assessment products and to develop resilience-focused strategies using the new data and resources. During this meeting FEMA, State and Local officials engage with the mapping partners to identify the hazard risks through the use of the Risk MAP Products Suite, providing a new perspective and understanding of flood risk within their community. Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk Report, Final Kenai Peninsula Borough Resilience Dashboard Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk MAP Study Contacts Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk MAP Participants Kenai Peninsula Borough Resilience Workshop Presentation Kenai Peninsula Borough Resilience Workshop Invitees and Attendee Sign-In Kenai Peninsula Borough Resilience Workshop Presentation Kenai Peninsula Borough Resilience Workshop Minutes Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk MAP Products and Tools Kenai Peninsula Borough Draft Risk Report - April 18, 2017 Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk Report, Final Kenai Peninsula Borough Resilience Dashboard Region X Service Center Quarterly ReportsTools August 1, 2016 Quarterly Report May 4, 2016 Quarterly Report January 28, 2016 Quarterly Report November 17, 2015 Quarterly Report August 4, 2015 Quarterly Report May 18, 2015 Quarterly Report Project Scope The scope of work of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk MAP Study includes (see also the map below): 28 miles of detailed coastal studies as well 21 miles of limited detail coastal studies. In addition, the scope includes approximately 11 miles of riverine studies in the following locations: Cooper Landing – 4 miles of detailed study Ninilchik – 2 miles of detailed study Anchor Point – 5 miles of detailed study Preparation of a regulatory Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Report document to the Community. A FIS is a book that contains information regarding flooding in a community and is developed in conjunction with the FIRM. The FIS, also known as a flood elevation study, frequently contains a narrative of the flood history of a community and discusses the engineering methods used to develop the FIRM. The study also contains flood profiles for studied flooding sources and can be used to determine Base Flood Elevations for some areas. Preparation of a regulatory Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) map for all panels within the Community which identifies the Community's flood zones, base flood elevations, and floodplain boundaries. This map is used to determine where the purchase of flood insurance is required for properties with federally-backed mortgages. The preliminary FIS and DFIRM’s are scheduled to be released in Winter/Spring 2016. Collect LiDAR in Spring/Summer of 2014. This data will be delivered to the community by Sept. 30, 2014. All of the above datasets will be in the in the North American Vertical Datum of 1988. The State and FEMA will provide guidance, feedback, coordination and technical support throughout the Risk MAP Project Life Cycle. Status of Project The Kenai Peninsula Borough Risk MAP study has been completed. FEMA and the State Risk MAP Coordinator held a Resilience Workshop to review results and develop risk reduction strategies August 23, 2017. The finalized Risk Report was delivered to the Borough in January 2018. FEMA and the State will continue to work with the Borough to implement the resilience actions identified during the workshop, and will hold quarterly check-in calls with the Borough to provide updates on the status of the resilience actions. The following table illustrates project status and includes major milestones with dates: Activity Actual or Projected End Date Discovery Interview January 26-28, 2011 Discovery Meeting March 2, 2011 Discovery Report May 2011 Flood Study Kick-Off Meeting July 23-26, 2012 Engineering Analysis 2012 Draft Work Maps Completed August 2013 Flood Risk Review Meeting August 27-28, 2013 Preliminary DFIRM/FIS Release June 13, 2014 Consultation Coordination Officers (CCO) Meeting September 9-11, 2014 Public Meeting/Workshop September 9-11, 2014 90-Day Appeal Period Start Date 1st Start: January 28, 2015; 2nd Start: August 12, 2015** 90-Day Appeal Period End Date 1st End: April 28, 2015; 2nd End: November 10, 2015** Letter of Final Determination April 20, 2016 Draft Multi-Hazard Risk Report October 6, 2016 Maps and FIS Become Effective October 20, 2016 Risk MAP Resilience Workshop August 23, 2017 Delivery of Final Risk Report and Risk Assessment Database January 2018 *All projected dates are subject to revision as the project progresses **Due to a map repository address error for the City of Seward on a DFIRM Map Index, a correction notice had to be submitted to FEMA and a subsequent Appeals and Protests period for the Kenai Peninsula Borough and the City of Seward will begin in early June 2015 and end in early September 2015. The City of Homer had an appeal period that ended on 4/28/2015. The City of Homer will sit idle while the second Appeal Period for the Borough and City of Seward takes place. At the conclusion of the second appeal period all three communities will go through the remaining FEMA required steps to reach an LFD date in early April 2016. Map of Kenai Peninsula Borough Coastal Study Scope Click on image to open larger map Kenai Peninsula Discovery (FEMA Region X Workspace) FEMA Region X Risk MAP Newsletters Contact for More Information Sally Russell Cox State of Alaska Risk MAP Coordinator Division of Community and Regional Affairs Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1650, Anchorage, AK 99501-3569 Phone (907) 269-4588 Fax (907)269-4539 Email: sally.cox@alaska.gov