HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-023Resolution No. 12-023
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY OF BUTTE TO JOIN THE AGRICULTURAL
FLOOD MANAGEMENT ALLIANCE AND SUPPORTING ITS GUIDING PRINCIPALS
WHEREAS, the Butte County Board of Supervisors is concerned about the long-term viability of
agricultural communities, industries, and operations located in the regulatory floodplain as these communities
have a significant historic cultural presence and play an integral role in the viability of agriculture locally,
regionally, and nationally;
WHEREAS, Butte County strongly supports the mission of FEMA and the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP) to identify and mitigate flood risk and protect life and property in ail floodplain communities.
However, Butte County is concerned that the current approach under the NFIP places a disproportionately
impactful economic burden on agricultural communities in the mapping of Special Flood Hazard Areas which
imposes highly-restrictive flood protection regulations and establishes burdensome flood insurance rates. In
particular, changes must be made to the building limitations on structures needed to support agricultural
production, storage, and processing. Further, flood insurance must be offered at a rate which is variable
depending upon the risk, but which makes flood insurance a meaningful and affordable option for the property
owner;
WHEREAS, Butte County is also concerned about the small dependant towns located adjacent to these
agricultural communities. The fate of these small communities has a direct bearing on the sustainability of
agriculture in the regulatory floodplain as these are the communities where people gather to worship, shop,
socialize, educate their children, and conduct business. The NFIP does not currently take into consideration the
unique interdependency and tenuous economic balance that exists between the agriculture industry and adjacent
small communities as compared to urbanized economies. Without recognizing the unique characteristics of
agricultural and small communities in the NFIP structure, and by instead applying an urban-focused flood
insurance standard, the existing agriculture enterprises and their dependent small communities will continue to
degrade and ultimately fade away; and
WHEREAS, the Agricultural Flood Management Alliance, a coalition of local agencies, organizations,
and individuals, has adopted the following five guiding principles to describe its members' common concern
and interest regarding the long-term viability of agricultural communities, industries, and operations located in
the regulatory floodplain:
1) Support and protect the economic viability and vitality of agriculture industries and dependant small
communities.
2) Recognize the benef is locally and nationally of the agricultural uses of the floodplain as a practical
means to limit long-term flood risk while supporting a critical element of our economy and the security
of our food supply.
3) include provisions for agricultural and small dependant communities that allow for practical and feasible
replacement of and reinvestment in industrial and commercial structures, to ensure long term socio-
economic sustainability.
4} Establish flood insurance rates for agricultural and small dependant communities that are economically
manageable by property owners while contributing to the overall fiscal viability of the NFTP.
5) Provide a role for representatives of the agricultural and small dependant communities to participate in
the process of developing recommended modifications to the NF1P that are specific to address these and
related issues.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Butte:
1) Supports and endorses the five guiding principles of the Agricultural Floodplain Management Alliance; and
2} Directs staff to join in the efforts of the Agricultural Floodplain Management Alliance.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Butte, State of California, this
13`" day of March, 2012, by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Connelly, Wahl, Kirk, Yamaguchi and Chair Lambert
NOES: None
ASSENT: None
NOT VOTING: None ,s ,.
Steve La rt, Chair,
Butte C ty Board of Supervisors
ATTEST:
Pout Hahn, Chi Administrative
and Clerk of theoard
By: ~~~ .l ~/~'/ ~~f~~