Tuscarawas SWCD Now Managing Tuscarawas County Floodplain Program

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  • On 1 May 2022, the Tuscarawas SWCD assumed the role of floodplain coordinator in Tuscarawas County. According to federal regulations, each county and/or city is to manage and enforce federal standards and regulations to protect the floodplain, so that the county and/or city will be eligible for federally-guaranteed flood insurance. If a county neglects or refuses to participate in such a program, their residents would no longer be able to purchase flood insurance. By participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the residents of Tuscarawas County benefit in being able to purchase flood insurance. They are also eligible for disaster relief if a flood should occur in their area. Protecting the floodplain in a community also makes that community more resilient to such flooding, and the recovery time from flooding is substantially reduced. Lastly, the community benefits from a healthier floodplain, in that wildlife can better thrive and the floodplain can help reduce flood surges created by man-made development.

  • What is a Floodplain?

    The floodplain is that part of the stream that conveys the excess water of a stream or river during a flood event. Improper development within the floodplain can cause significant loss of property and possibly of life. The proper care of the floodplain can be very beneficial to the environment by:

    --protecting fish and wildlife habitat

    --protecting wetlands

    --storing and conveying flood waters

    --reducing flood water velocities

    --reducing flood water peaks

    --enhancing the quality of the surface waters

    --promoting groundwater and aquifer recharge, and

    --providing higher quality recreational opportunities for those within the community

  • What is the SWCD doing to manage the floodplain of Tuscarawas County?

    The County Commissioners have adopted floodplain regulations. The SWCD manage the floodplain according to these regulations by:

    --issuing permits for development in floodplain areas of Tuscarawas County.

    --providing Flood zone determinations and Base Flood Elevation (BFE) for residents and businesses.

    --performing Substantial Damage and Substantial Improvement Determinations for the structures (if a flood event occurs).

    --investigating violations of the floodplain ordinance and initiating corrective action(s).

    --the maintaining of floodplain management records for the county.

    --educating community members and local officials about floodplain management.

  • Contact

    Any activity in the floodplain is subject to a permit, from filling along a stream bank to the development of a home and/or business. And it must be noted that there are no exemptions to the permit. Agricultural development is not exempt. Neither is mining, landscaping, or other activity of man. “Why is that?” one may ask. Simply because if a flood comes on your property, whatever is not properly developed and/or tied down will most likely end up on your neighbor’s property, possibly damaging his property as well as yours.

    Anyone with questions regarding the floodplain or what can or cannot be done in the floodplain can contact Lee Finley, District Resource Specialist with the Tuscarawas Soil and Water Conservation District, at 330.339.7976.