Overview March 2020

FEMA is leading an implementation planning process for the 2016 Biological Opinion (BiOp) on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in Oregon. In the NFIP BiOp, NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service analyzed the effects of the NFIP on endangered species and critical habitat and concluded that implementation of the NFIP was likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. NOAA also concluded that floodplain development associated with the NFIP creates negative impacts to threatened and endangered native fish and the southern resident killer whale that are unacceptable under the federal Endangered Species Act.

This plan will outline how FEMA and the Oregon participating communities can implement the NFIP in a way that minimizes any potential negative effects to listed species and critical habitat.

FEMA, NMFS, and Oregon’s Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) will work together on the plan as an interagency team. The team will identify pathways for FEMA and NFIP participating communities that:

• Reduce flood hazards to people and property and maintain the natural benefits of floodplains (flood storage, water quality, and wildlife habitat);

• Are consistent with Oregon land use and other relevant state-level policies; and • Can reasonably be implemented by Oregon NFIP communities in the parts of the state covered by

the BiOp.

This interagency team will accomplish its work in 2020 through series of work sessions and meetings. These will include feedback opportunities with a broader set of interested parties, such as tribes, local governments and their associations, and conservation and industry groups. The results of this work may also be subject to additional environmental review and public comment under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Oregon NMFS Biological Opinion on the NFIP | 2020 Implementation Planning Process | Overview 1

2020 Implementation Planning Timeline (dates are approximate):

January: Interagency team begins to meet February: Partner workshop, Salem*: presentation and feedback on intent and process March-April: Interagency team drafts outline of potential implementation options May: Second partner workshop: presentation and feedback on interim results June-July: Interagency team develops menu of options, outlines needed guidance documents, templates, etc. August: Third partner workshop: presentation and feedback on proposed approach September-December: Drafting of implementation documents, initiate public review *In-person stakeholder workshops will be followed by webinar versions for remote participation

Areas affected by the BiOp shown in tan