GCWA Technical Committee Meeting Minutes October 21, 2015
3-4:30pm
Jim Hamilton - L.B. Owens Airport Conference Room
Committee Members
Lewis Kirk, O. Alicia de Myhrer, Rob Robertson, Emily Jones, Madilyn Fletcher, Valerie
Marcil, Sam Agee, Dan Tufford
Other Attendees
Katie Norris (South Carolina Emergency Management Division), Jeff Smitherman
(SCEMD), Chris Newton (SCEMD), Carol Roberts (DHEC), Synithia Williams
(Richland County Stormwater), Quinton Epps (Richland County Conservation
Commission), Nick Morgan (Kleinschmidt), Karen Jackson (Carolina Clear), Dana
Higgins (City of Columbia), Mike Jaspers (City of Columbia), Drew Stroud (City of
Columbia), Jessica Kross (Spring Lake HOA), John Hart, Berni Gaudi, Elliott Powell,
Bill Stangler (Congaree Riverkeeper), Don Vargo, Buddy Atkins, Michael Criss, Erich
Miarka
Welcome
Lewis Kirk called the meeting to order at 3:00pm. Introductions were made around the
room.
Minutes & Agenda
The agenda were approved.
2015 Flood Recap
Erich Miarka gave a quick recap of events in the watershed and presented the ad that the
Association placed in The State paper. Semmes Lake, Cary Lake, Pinetree Lake, Upper
Rockyford Lake, and Lower Rockyford Lake failed.
FEMA Flood Response
Erich Miarka introduced Katie Norris from SCEMD.
She stated that FEMA disaster assistance has three phases: individual assistance, public
assistance, and hazard mitigation.
Individual Assistance (IA) is direct assistance to individuals and homeowners owners.
This is generally divided into temporary housing assistance and other needs (contents of
home, vehicles, medical assistance, etc.). The amount of funds available will be based on
documented need.
Public Assistance (PA) goes to governments, municipalities and some specific private
non-profits (such as electric coops). Up to 75% of cost is passed through to the state to
distribute. These funds are used to rebuild public infrastructure back to conditions before
the event. She stated that it is an unusual situation with dams being involved. HOAs are
specifically not eligible.
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) which is 15% of the federal share of
eligible costs is used for projects that will reduce future risk. It will cover projects such as
detention pond improvements, and property acquisitions (buyouts) for properties which
are in high risk areas. Monies are passed through to local jurisdictions to purchase
properties at pre-flood fair market value.
Hazard mitigation will impact Community Rating System (CRS) values for a jurisdiction
by lowering flood risk and managing the flood plain. Lower risk results in lower
insurance rates. Richland County is participating in the system and the City of Columbia
is in the application process.
HMGP projects must provide permanent improvement, must be a complete solution and
reduce future risk. FEMA has a calculator to qualify projects. Projects that are already
partially funded can qualify for a grant to complete the project.
HMGP are administered by the state and the grants are competitive. Pre-application is
available online at screcoverygrants.org. An interagency committee will rate the
applications.
FEMA will provide a first estimate of the federal cost share in 30 days, will issue a
revised estimate at 6 months, and will issue a final amount in a year. Project plans will be
developed and ready to go when funds are released.
Eligible applicants are generally municipalities, however 501(C)(3)s may be eligible, but
HOA's are seldom qualified.
Jeff Smitherman and Chris Newton who are on loan to SCEMD from Alabama to help set
up the assistance programs provided some clarification and answered some questions
regarding PA assistance.
There were comments from Elliott Powell and James Atkins regarding GCWA's efforts to
coordinate lake owners and government jurisdictions to manage the watershed.
Ms Norris stated SCEMD, DHEC, DOI (Department of Insurance), DNR and the
governor's office make up the committee that will determine how HMGP monies are
spent. She also stated that for neighborhoods, all homeowners must agree to a buyout.
Acquired properties must be converted to green space.
She stated until HMGP funds are allocated, property owners may use flood insurance or
PA assistance to rebuild or stabilize structures. Structures should not be allowed to
deteriorate or be condemned.
Ms Norris stated that for dams which had roads across them, DOT cannot be allocated
PA money until the dam is rebuilt. She stated FEMA and SCEMD are working to find a
solution to this unusual situation will working within the limits of the law.
She also stated that they are looking at the problem of those property owners who were
not required to have flood insurance as they were not in a flood hazard area.
FEMA and SCEMD consider the situation in the Gills Creek watershed and the nature of
this disaster to be unique.
She stated property owners and jurisdictions (cities, counties, special purpose districts,
etc) can sign over the responsibility for administering the PA program in the affected area
to a single entity.
Ms Norris said that for the HMGP the fair market value of a property can be based on
assessor's data or an appraisal and may be negotiable.
Mike Jaspers stated the process of determining Substantial Damage Estimate (SDE) for
structures is ongoing.
Ms Norris stated that if the SDE is above 50% of the fair market value, flood control
measures must be taken such as elevating at least 2 ft above the base flood elevation (the
level of a 100 yr flood). Commercial properties may be rebuilt without elevation if it is
flood proofed.
Mr Powell and Mr Miarcha asked about funding for restoring dams, removing
sedimentation from the lakes, and setting them up to act as a flood control system.
Ms Norris said recently dams have been included if they can been shown to provide
major structural flood control. However, to qualify the system has to provide proof of
maintenance and management.
Dana Higgins reported that the city is working with SCEMD and get out into the
community to provide help and substantial damage estimates. Ms Norris is working with
the city as their State Mitigation Officer (SMO) and noted that the city is working to
balance managing the flood plain and helping property owners rebuild. Ms Higgins also
noted that city council is considering altering the ordinance as it concerns the 5 year
cumulative cost assessment.
Mr Elliott suggested that GCWA work to organize the municipalities to form a joint
working group to develop a mechanism for managing the watershed.
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Funding
Mr Miarka reported on the Emergency Watershed Protection Program to help
communities due to natural disasters. There are several provisions which may apply to
our situation including debris removal, stream bank restoration, and dam repair. It would
not apply to breached dams. Only municipalities may apply.
Old Business
There was no old business.
New Business
Mr Miarka mentioned that several city and county staffers had conflicts on the
tech committee meeting time and asked us to consider another possible day.
The meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting: November 11, 2015 3-4:30pm.