FEMA launched the California Coastal Analysis and Mapping Project (CCAMP) in Ventura County on December 8, 2011. FEMA released the Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (PFIRM) for coastal areas of Ventura County on September 30, 2016. In an effort to challenge the technical accuracy of these maps, Oxnard City Council approved a cooperative agreement with the Ventura County Watershed Protection District on December 20, 2016, to hire a consulting firm that specializes in coastal hazard reviews and is familiar with FEMA’s methodologies.The consulting firm of Moffatt and Nichols (M&N) was hired on March 27,2017. During a progress meeting on June 29, 2017 with our consultant, it was revealed that the methodology used by FEMA was “clearly under-predicting the hazards”. The Most Likely Winter profile (MLWP), during which the larger storms occur, was not used.  Also, FEMA’s analysis did not use the fact that coastal barrier dunes are routinely removed by mechanical methods.  In summary; Full and correct application of Pacific Guidelines could increase the BFE along the coastline in Oxnard.  The “Stockdon Method” was used, but not with the right conditions.  These findings are shown in the attached presentation.

The 90-day review period provided by FEMA began on June 9, 2017.  The last day to make comments is September 6, 2017. The City of Oxnard is provided a follow-up meeting to the meetings held on May 30 and May 31, 2017.  The meeting was held in the HR Activity Room on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Moffat and Nichol provided a presentation of their findings as well as explained the technical comments the City will be providing to FEMA. M&N compiled community comments and prepare a final report shown below.

The $3.5 Million State Local Levee Assistance Program (LLAP) Grant will allow the Ventura County Watershed Protection District to continue the effort to provide design engineering, environmental permitting, and eventually construction four levee rehabilitation projects including the SCR-1 which protects businesses and residents in the Riverpark community from flooding.  The levee grant award was under the Local Levee Critical Repair (LLCR) funding track for a total of $1,284,000. This represented a  55% share of the $2,335,000 estimated cost of required to complete levee rehab project design engineering and CEQA evaluation work for this levee.

          

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