Valdosta already had an airplane fly over Lowndes County and collect Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data for flood mapping. Will Lowndes County step up and match Valdosta on this project that affects everybody in the county (and downstream into Florida)? Valdosta started this LiDAR project in March 2015, and Valdosta fronted the entire cost to get it done, we know because Valdosta Assistant Director of Utilities Emily Davenport and Valdosta City Council Tim Carroll told us at a meeting Valdosta held at the request of WWALS for interested parties downstream in Florida and from as far away as Atlanta.

On the agenda for the 8:30 AM Monday morning Lowndes County Commission Work Session, item 7.d. Withlacoochee River Flood Inundation Map Project,

Request direction be provided to staff regarding funding for the development of a flood inundation map for a section of the Withlacoochee River in Lowndes County.

Documents:Withlacoochee River Flood Inundation Map Project.pdf

The document says:

LOWNDES COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

SUBJECT: Withlacoochee River Flood Inundation Map Project

Regular Meeting (X)
Work Session (X)
Recommendation ( )
Policy/Discussion (X)
Report ( )
Other ( )

DATE OF MEETING: July 12, 2016

BUDGET IMPACT: None

FUNDING SOURCE
( ) Annual
( ) Capital
(X) N/A

COUNTY ACTION REQUESTED ON: Withlacoochee River Flood Inundation Map Project

HISTORY, FACTS AND ISSUES: In April 2009, Lowndes County was impacted by a 500-year flood event. Since that time staff from Lowndes County has been working with staff from the City of Valdosta, as well as staff from surrounding communities, State and Federal partners, to develop effective mitigation options for those residents in flood prone areas. In the Fall of 2015 through the Spring of 2016 the City of Valdosta Engineering Department was able to secure funding that resulted in updated elevation contour data utilizing Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology. The LIDAR data, combined with other data collected over the last six to seven years, has provided the US Geological Survey (USGS) with much of the data they need to develop a flood inundation map for the cross section of the Withlacoochee River from Skipper Bridge Road, downstream to Highway 133. This inundation map will provide citizens and local officials with enhanced information to allow them to make more informed decisions regarding potential impacts during future flooding events. The USGS has been in contact with staff from the City of Valdosta Engineering Department and are proposing to provide a portion of the funding but needs a commitment from the local governments to provide $80,000.00, in matching funding prior to agreeing to fund the project. Staff with the City of Valdosta Engineering Department is interested in partnering with Lowndes County on this project and would like to request that the matching funds be split, with $40,000.00, coming from the City of Valdosta and Lowndes County providing an equal amount of funding. Staff is seeking direction from the Board as to whether they would like to pursue this opportunity and enter into a cost share agreement with the City of Valdosta if the project is ultimately funded.

OPTIONS: 1. Board’s Pleasure

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Option 1.

DEPARTMENT: Emergency Management Department Head: Ashley Tye

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATION:

[signed] Joe Pritchard
County Manager

Action Taken by Board:

-jsq

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