Floodplain Management

Maine State Inter-Agency Reviews

The Maine Flood Plain Management Program (MFMP) is often asked to assist with Environmental Reviews or Assessments of projects, many of which involve the use of public funding at the Federal, State or Local level. Requests come from many State agencies, particularly those responsible for the oversite and dispersal of public monies. When submitting information for our review, the following format will expedite the process and avoid delays due to requests for more information.

1. Attach the following form to your submittal, filling in those fields that apply, and leaving blank the fields that MFMP will complete in our review. The submittal can be a paper copy, or a set of electronic files, but please include a copy of the form.

Environmental Review Cover Page

2. Include enough information about the project that it can be accurately located when compared to a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). (site map, project plan, etc.)

3. Include a copy of the FIRM with the project clearly located. Copies of the FIRM maps for any community can be found at the Town or City Planning Office, at our office in Augusta, or on-line at FEMA Map store

4. Include a brief project description and information on any flood plain issues that may have been identified, or if the project is not in the flood plain, document the location.

5. For projects that are not in the floodplain, MFMP will respond with simple comments indicating our concurrence with that finding.

6. For projects that are located in the floodplain, MFMP will offer comments as follows:

Directing submitters to comply with the Local Flood Plain Ordinance for the community
Explaining the specific type of issues that may arise with the type of project being considered.
Offering additional technical assistance if needed
Offering specific advice on compliance with Federal Executive Order 11988, and/or a similar State Executive Order. These orders direct that when Federal or State funding is to be used in a Flood Plain, an eight step process must be followed for the project to be finalized. A summary of the 8 step process includes:

1. Determining whether the project is in or out of the floodplain

2. Providing early opportunities for public review, including public notice.

3. Identifying and evaluating alternatives to locating in the floodplain

4. Identifying impacts of the proposed project such as impacting flood elevations or encouraging floodplain development

5. Minimization or use, restoration and preservation of floodplain areas

6. Re-evaluation of alternatives

7. Publicizing findings and providing public information

8. Implementation

Federal Agencies have their own specific guidelines for compliance with EO11988, but those steps form the framework of all such guidelines.

For submittals that follow the simple steps of including a copy of the FIRM with the project located, a project description and the attached form, MFMP will provide responses within 30 days of receipt of the project for review.

Submittors should not hesitate to contact this office if they have questions or need assistance when planning any project that may be affected by flooding, or be located within a Flood Hazard Area.

fLoodplain Management Program

Information For:

Maine State Inter-Agency Reviews

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