Catskill plans to adopt new floodplain regs

Catskill plans to adopt new floodplain regs

By William J. Kemble, Correspondent

03/23/2008

CATSKILL - The Town Board has scheduled an April 1 public hearing on a proposal to update a town law governing erosion control for properties in designated floodplains.

The session is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Washington Irving Senior Center on Thompson Street in the village.

"The New York state Department of Environmental Conservation requires that we pass this in order to remain eligible for the national flood insurance program," town Supervisor Peter Markou said.

"All communities have to do this," he said. "We're using the model copy that they provided us and will simply replace the provisions that we have now with these."

Under the law, no new construction would be permitted in flood plains or near regulated streams unless:

* Applicants can show that development will not increase water levels more than one foot.

* A technical evaluation from a licensed engineer shows that encroaching on a flood-prone area will not result in any increase in flood levels.

* Approval is received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

* Construction includes the use of materials and utility equipment that is resistant to flood damage.

State officials say the cost of insurance payments have forced regulations that attempt to protect items most often damaged in floods. Among the requirements are that new and substantially improved structures have fully enclosed areas for vehicle parking and building access "below the lowest floor" but "other than a basement."