Flood Plain Management Subcommittee
Click here to view the final WRCC flood plain recommendations.
2009 Iowa legislation, HF756 , requires the state’s Water Resources Coordinating Council (WRCC) to submit policy and funding recommendations that promote “a watershed management approach to reduce the adverse impact of future flooding on this state's residents, businesses, communities, and soil and water quality.” Agencies identified by the WRCC to participate in the Flood Plain Management Subcommittee, and appointees from each, are:
- University of Iowa – Iowa Flood Center: Larry Weber; alternate Witold Krajewski
- Iowa State University – Leopold Center: Jerry DeWitt; alternate Jeri Neal
- University of Northern Iowa – Center for Energy and Environmental Education: Kamyar Enshayan
- Homeland Security: Tom Oswald; alternate Steve Zimmerman
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Jerry Skalak
- IDOT: Scott Marler; alternate Dave Claman
- NRCS: Rich Sims; alternate Marty Adkins
- IDNR: Bill Ehm; alternate Sharon Tahtinen
- IDALS: Chuck Gipp
- IDED: Jessica Montana
- RIO: Ken Tow; alternate Susan Judkins
- USGS: Rob Middlemis-Brown; alternate Kaylene Carney
Bill Ehm of the DNR and Chuck Gipp of IDALS were elected as co-chairs of the Flood Plain Management Subcommittee. RIO will provide staff support, including posting meeting notices, preparing press releases, and hosting web site information about the work of the Subcommittee. Future meetings will be held at the RIO whenever possible.
Click here to view the Subcommittee timeline.
Click here to visit the WRCC Flood Plain Management Subcommittee resource page.
Subcommittee Work Groups
Four work groups will work on components of the recommendations required by HF756. The work groups include:
- Flood plain management and regulation
- Lowland focus: Wetland protection, restoration and construction; and conservation easements and other land management
- Upland Focus: Perennial ground cover and other agricultural conservation practices; and permanent or temporary water retention structures
- Promulgation and implementation of statewide storm water management standards; and pervious pavement, bioswales, and other urban conservation practices
Click here to view work group membership.
The work groups will “consult with hydrological and land use experts, representatives of cities, counties, drainage and levee districts, agricultural interests, and soil and water conservation districts, and other urban and regional planning experts” in developing recommendations as required by HF756.
Work group chairs will consider using the Proposal on Smart Planning drafted by the Rebuild Iowa Office as a starting point for recommendations or at least considering how it complements their work.
Click here for work group meeting times and locations.
HF756 Recommendation Process
A tentative timeline was identified for the work of the Flood Plain Management Subcommittee, including updating the full WRCC at meetings in early September and early November, with approval sought from the WRCC at the November meeting for the recommendations that are due 11/15/09. Public input will be invited at subcommittee meetings, work group meetings, and at approximately six public meetings to be held in various regions of the state in late September.
See the WRCC Resource page for the Recommendation Template.