Julie Yates
The Mayes County Commissioners approved an update of county floodplain regulations Monday. The update includes the enforcement of requiring floodplain permits.
Mayes County Emergency Management Director Johnny Janzen said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Oklahoma Water Resource Board updated the floodplain regulations. The county floodplain board approved FEMA’s suggested updates.
Floodplain permits have been required for some time in the county when building projects occur within the floodplain or floodway. Janzen said the main
difference is now FEMA requires enforcement of the regulations.
“They have to have a
permit to do it,” Janzen said.
Janzen said if a property owner is building a home or other building within the floodplain or floodway, the owner must acquire a permit.
Permits are also required for putting in utilities. Janzen said if someone is digging a trench to a lay new water line, he must have a permit.
Janzen said the county updated the ordinance “to insure we’ve got everything done we’re supposed to.”
Janzen said a permit costs $150, which is the lower end of Oklahoma’s maximum cost of $500. One permit would be sufficient for a building
project that included installing utilities.
Multiple permits would be required if a company requested utility crossing in several different areas of a floodplain, such as the laying of a natural gas line.
Failing to acquire the proper permit could result in misdemeanor charges.
Janzen said the county has suffered three flooding disasters within a year’s time.
“We have to start being more responsible with the activities going on in the floodplain zone,” he said. Otherwise, Janzen added, the flooding disasters will continue.
Janzen said FEMA could suspend the community from the national flood insurance program if the county fails to enforce the regulations. FEMA could also suspend disaster assistance.
“We’ve gotten millions of dollars from FEMA for disasters,” Janzen said.
The requirements apply to unincorporated areas, or property in the outlying county. Each town in Mayes County has its own floodplain regulations.
Residents or companies needing to build may contact Janzen to see if their property lies within a floodplain. Janzen is available for help with mapping questions or other inquiries and can be reached at 530-6114.
