I live in South Clatsop County. I have been trying to build a replacement shed on my property since last April, and the county has shut me down due to a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issue.

When I tried to get a building permit, I was told that all or part of my shed was located within a floodway based upon the 2010 newly digitized FEMA map. FEMA told the cities and counties that the maps had errors, but were told to adopt them anyway, as FEMA would fix them later.

Clatsop County adopted these erroneous maps that FEMA provided to them, and adopted FEMAs very restrictive building guidelines. What this means is there will be no remodel or substantial improvements allowed for any structure now mapped within a floodway, without requiring very expensive flood studies to the tune of $50,000.

In our residential area, at least 20 homes are in the floodway. In the past year I have learned more than I wanted to know about FEMA, floodways and more importantly, how our government works.

I am writing to you to encourage you to vote for Dale Barrett for county commissioner for South County. He is extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of FEMA, Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) and land-use issues. He will work very hard for all issues the citizens of our county will face, as he has volunteered many hours to help me navigate through this very complex floodway issue.

Please vote for Dale Barrett, as he will look at the minute details of the issues presented to him, and consider the ramifications of the decisions he makes on our behalf.

Heidi Lent

Seaside