FEMA to be invited to Future County Commission Meeting to Discuss Floodplain Ordinance

At the February 17^th Pocahontas County Commission Meeting, Scott Triplett, the County Floodplain Manager discussed floodplain issues with the commissioners.

Triplett said that FEMA has notified him that the county will need to update their Floodplain Ordinance and suggested that FEMA be invited to a future commission meeting to explain exactly what they want included in the new ordinance. The existing flood plain ordinance, which was passed on November 3^rd, 2010, basically describes the permits and restrictions that apply to areas designated as being in a flood plain or flood way. This 35-page ordinance is very complicated and can be found in its entirety on the commission’s webpage (link below.)

https://pocahontascountycommission.com/ordinances/flood-plain-ordinance-11-03-2010/

Triplett also talked about the new FEMA flood plain maps which expand the previous flood plain areas in the county that took effect last July. The new maps used lidar sensing that is designed to determine more accurate elevations than the previous flood plain maps which computed elevations based on old topo maps. The US Government’s National Maps App describes lidar mapping this way:

“Lidar mapping (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing method that uses pulsed laser light to measure distances and create precise, high-resolution 3D models of the Earth’s surface and objects. By emitting millions of pulses per second from aircraft or drones, it calculates precise coordinates to map topography, vegetation, and structures with centimeter-level accuracy.”

Commission President John Rebinski was concerned that FEMA had sent the commission a letter when they issued the new flood maps, saying that they were approved since the county had not disputed them. Rebinski, however, said the county did send FEMA objections regarding the new areas being now designated as flood zones, including areas at the tannery site in Frank. Triplett said FEMA had denied those appeals, but suggested Rebinski discuss that with the FEMA representatives when they come to the future meeting.

Also at this commission meeting:

• Kayla Shaw, the Director of the Pocahontas County Senior Citizens, advised the that at their upcoming budget hearings the commissioners should consider that her agency is losing between 6 and 7 dollars on each meal they provide to seniors, which amounts to a significant financial deficit for them each year.
• The commissioners agreed to release, prior to the beginning of construction, an additional $19,000 from the $500,000 they had set aside for the PMH Wastewater Treatment Plant Project. This will pay for tree removal at the site and completed engineering costs. The $19,000 is in addition to the 100,000 they previously agreed to release early from that $500,000 to start the construction. They also authorized the tree removal to begin. The project’s total cost will be $1,780,000, with the commission paying $500,000, and other grants paying the rest.
• They approved accepting a $5,000 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Grant to pay for upgrading the lighting at the former ARC Building in Marlinton, which now houses the Day Report Center and other agencies.
• The commissioners also approved a Budget Revision and Resolution to account for some unanticipated revenues.
• They scheduled their 2026-2027 Budget preparation work sessions to occur at 8:30 am on each of three days: March 9^th, 11^th and 13^th.

They then approved invoices and adjourned.