Register now for upcoming live trainings. January – March 2023
Floodplain Basics
January 23, 1-2 p.m.
A discussion of roles and responsibilities at the community level for floodplain management. Highlights include: common terms, definitions, where regulations apply, finding FEMA map, regulations and providing clarity on mandatory insurance requirements. Presenter: Ceil Strauss.
FEMA Map Basics
January 30, 1-2 p.m.
A discussion of mapping zones, finding and printing FEMA maps, types of FEMA maps in the state, and what map updates are in progress statewide. Also covers highlights of map appeals and amendments (LOMAs and LOMR-Fs). Presenters: Ceil Strauss and Mary Presnail.
Shoreland Management Basics
February 1, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
This course covers how shoreland standards protect water quality, habitat and shoreland/rural character. Topics include fundamentals of the shoreland program including lake and river classifications, covered waterbodies, and key regulations as well as tips and tricks for program administration. Special topics, including PUDs, identifying bluffs, Environmental Review, and other topics are available depending on time and participant interest.
Recommended for anyone new to shoreland regulations or those wanting a refresher.
Presenters: Dan Petrik and Matt Bauman.
Floodplain Administration 101
February 6, 1-2 p.m.
Learn about permitting applications. Navigate your way through floodplain ordinances and understand your role and responsibilities. Learn about how to evaluate limitations on improvements and required documentation. Presenter: Matt Bauman.
Dealing with Zone As
February 13, 1-2 p.m.
Discover how to regulate those notorious A Zones, find base flood elevations and regulatory flood protection elevations, and share options to determine floodway versus flood-fringe. Presenters: Ceil Strauss and Jeff Weiss.
Floodplain Higher Standards
February 27, 1-2 p.m.
Learn about innovative standards to improve flood protection and the natural and beneficial functions of floodplains. Discover what exciting examples (both within and outside of FEMA-mapped areas) are out there and why they are important to your community. Presenter: Ceil Strauss.
Minnesota State Model Floodplain Ordinance
March 1, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
DNR has had a state model floodplain management ordinance for decades, but the new model rolled out early in 2022 has lots of changes, including: graphics, new font to show higher standards and optional language, and rewording to plain language. There are also some important updates to more accurately reflect requirements in state law. Presenter: Matt Bauman.
FEMA Flood Insurance Basics
March 6, 1-2 p.m.
Highlights of the new Risk Rating 2.0 changes. This hour session will also review current flood insurance basics on mandatory purchase, rates, coverage, premium rating factors and what is changing. Presenters: Ceil Strauss and James Sink, FEMA Region 5 Flood Insurance Liaison.
Hydrology and Hydraulics for Non-Engineers
March 13, 1-2 p.m.
Would you like to better understand what the “H & H” is that the engineers are talking about? This hour session will explain the difference between hydrology and hydraulics, discuss methods and models used for each, as well as assumptions and uses for some of the common models. Presenters: Ceil Strauss and Anne Toftegaard.
Shoreland Higher Standards
March 20, 1-2 p.m.
Learn how other cities and counties are taking shoreland protection to the next level. This course will explore regulatory and administrative innovations in using shoreland classifications, land uses and performance standards to protect both shoreland and aquatic resources. Course will include a variety of considerations in determining where, how, and which higher standards might be most successful. Recommended for staff interested in higher standards ideas and how to promote them. Presenters: Dan Petrik and Matt Bauman.
Floodplain Culverts
March 22, 2023 (Wed), 9:30-10:30 am
Description: Learn about designing culverts that withstand floods better, and retain more of the natural benefits of floodplains. Many of our current road crossing narrow the floodwaters to relatively small culverts that don’t have capacity during floods and blow out. Learn about scenarios where additional higher culverts (i.e., floodplain culverts, or “relief culverts”) can help road crossings be more resilient and save the costs and inconvenience of repeatedly replacing your culverts, while providing benefits to the fisheries and natural systems.
Presenters: Salam Murtada and Ceil Strauss