Meetings focus on FEMA changes

SANDPOINT — Bonner County is hosting a pair of meetings this month to discuss changes to Federal Emergency Management Agency flood maps at Priest Lake and phased elimination of flood insurance subsidies.

FEMA recently released preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps which more precisely identify a precise floodplain elevation. Although the new base flood elevation differs by only an inch, it will effect as many as 700 waterfront landowners at Priest Lake.

Some who were out of the floodplain are now in it while others who were in are now out.

County and FEMA officials are meeting at the Inn at Priest Lake in Coolin on Tuesday, July 16. An open house goes from 4-5:30 p.m. and a formal presentation starts at 6 p.m.

On Wednesday, July 17, FEMA and county officials are meeting in Sandpoint to discuss nationwide reforms of the National Flood Insurance Program. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. at the Bonner County Administration Building, located at the corner of U.S. Highway 2 and Division Avenue.

Last year, Congress passed the Biggert Waters Flood Insurance Reform & Modernization Act.

The public, real estate agents and lenders are invited to attend. The act seeks to stabilize the flood insurance program by eliminating some artificially low rates and discounts on policies.

Subsidized rates for non-primary/secondary residences are being phased out now. Subsidized rates for other classes of property will be eliminated over time, beginning this year.

Of the 388 policies in effect in Bonner County, only 68 will be affected by the reform act.

“They’re phasing out the subsidized insurance for structures that were built before the floodplain was legally established,” said Bonner County Planning Director Clare Marley.