Training Courses
One-day trainings are normally offered at a few locations around the state during winter (January to March) and in the fall (September to November). Due to restrictions over the past two years, our trainings were transitioned to a series of one hour virtual sessions.
Floodplain Management Basics
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. Watch the online training, recorded 1/5/2022. Future live trainings to be scheduled.
FEMA Map Basics
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: Suzanne Jiwani and Ceil Strauss. Watch the online training, recorded 1/10/2022. Future live trainings to be scheduled.
Floodplain Web-Based Maps and Tools
Discover the new features on DNR’s online Lake and Flood Elevations Online (LFEO) app. Also highlights the FEMA Map Service Center site, FEMA Flood Map Changes Viewer, DNR MNTOPO viewer, and useful tips and tricks. Presenters: Suzanne Jiwani and Ceil Strauss. Watch the online training, recorded 1/12/2022. Future live trainings to be scheduled.
Floodplain Administration 101
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. Watch the online training, recorded 1/24/2022. Future live trainings to be scheduled.
Dealing with Zone As
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 Suzanne Jiwani. Watch the online training, recorded 1/31/2022. Future live trainings to be scheduled.
FEMA Letters of Map Change
Delve into the world of map acronyms. An in-depth walk-through of LOMAs, LOMR-Fs, LOMRs and CLOMRs. Target audience is engineers and surveyors. Presenter: Suzanne Jiwani. Watch the online training, recorded 2/14/2022. Future live trainings to be scheduled.
Floodplain Administration 201 (CUPs, floodproofing, etc.)
Have you ever wondered, “What can be allowed through conditional use permits, standards for activities allowed with CUPs, floodproofing and alternative elevation standards?” If so, please join the fun and discover the answers to these questions, as well as helpful tips for permitting and documentation for these more complicated situations. Presenter: Ceil Strauss. Watch the online training, recorded 2/23/2022. Future live trainings to be scheduled.
Floodplain Higher Standards
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. Watch the online training, presented by Ceil Strauss. Recorded 2/16/2022. Future live trainings to be scheduled.
Flood Insurance Basics and Risk Rating 2.0 Changes
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. Watch the online training, presented by Ceil Strauss (DNR) and James Sink (FEMA). Recorded 2/28/2022. Future live trainings to be scheduled.
Minnesota's New State Model Floodplain Ordinance
DNR has had a state model floodplain management ordinance for decades, but the new model being 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. Watch the online training, presented by Matt Bauman. Recorded 3/2/2022. Future live training to be scheduled.
Substantial Damage Determinations and Roles
This course covers the role of local floodplain administrators post disaster. We'll focus on the steps involved in doing Substantial Damage determinations, a key requirement for meeting your local floodplain management ordinance. Watch the online training, presented by Ceil Strauss. Recoded 3/9/2022. Future live trainings to be scheduled.
For more information, please contact [email protected] or:
- Ceil Strauss, MN DNR State Floodplain Manager
Minnesota Association of Floodplain Managers (MnAFPM) Annual Conference
The 2022 annual MnAFPM conference will be hosted November 2-3 in Duluth. Information and details on the Minnesota Association of Floodplain Managers website.
The 2021 annual conference was Nov. 3-5, 2021. The in-person conference was co-hosted with Wisconsin Association for Floodplain, Stormwater, and Coastal Management at the LaCrosse Center in LaCrosse, WI.
Water Talk Newsletter
The Water Talk Newsletter is published quarterly and features updates on program news, funding, projects, events, and learning resources for local governments and others involved in floodplain and shoreland management.
- Water Talk 2022
- Water Talk 2021
- Water Talk 2020
- Water Talk 2019
- Water Talk 2018
- Water Talk 2017
- Water Talk 2016
- Water Talk 2015
- Water Talk 2014