There has been a great deal of discussion over the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s proposed development restrictions in Warrenton’s flood plains, but not on why those flood plains exist.

FEMA’s minimum design, operation and maintenance standards for levee/dikes are no secret, they can be found in 44 CFR 65.10, “Mapping of areas protected by levee systems.”

As early as 2010 (see The Astorian, “Warrenton leaders to head to D.C. to discuss diking issues”), Warrenton city officials were aware that the dikes protecting Warrenton needed to be certified by a registered professional engineer for flood protection accreditation.

It is my understanding the city of Warrenton has not certified the dikes, so the dikes protecting Warrenton are ignored in determining the flood plain and the base flood elevation in Warrenton.

FEMA’s current proposed update to the Warrenton’s flood plain map shows the base flood elevation west of the Skipanon River increasing from 8 to 12 feet, affecting over 1,000 structures. This change will increase the financial burden of those homeowners and businesses in the updated flood plain, as well as those currently meeting the old 8-foot standard.

The question Warrenton residents should be asking their city officials is why, after 14 years, have the dikes not met FEMA’s certification standards? I believe if Warrenton would meet FEMA’s levee/dike standards, the principal land use challenge would be developing in wetlands, and not FEMA’s proposed restrictions.

PAUL PUTKEY

Warrenton