Register now for upcoming live trainings
Flood Inundation Real-time Mapping
October 1, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Learn about new services to help emergency managers and floodplain administrators to prepare for and respond to flooding. This course will focus on the National Weather Service’s new flood inundation maps (Released September 2025 for Southern Minnesota). The new tool compliments and supports the issuance of flood watches and warnings by providing near-real-time, high-resolution, street level visualizations showing where, when, and how much flood waters are forecast. An overview of the new inundation map functionality, use cases, and tool demonstration will be given. This course is recommended for local emergency management and floodplain administration staff. Presenter: Shawn DeVinny (NOAA/National Weather Service).
Floodplain Basics
December 8, 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 maps, regulations and providing clarity on mandatory insurance requirements. Presenter: Ceil Strauss (DNR).
Floodplain Administration 101
December 15, 1 – 2 p.m.
Learn about reviewing project applications and permitting floodplain developments. This training explains how to navigate your way through floodplain ordinances and provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities for floodplain administrators. The course also covers how to evaluate limitations on improvements and required documentation. Presenters: Ricky Hoffman (DNR) and Garry Bennett (DNR).
FEMA Map Basics
January 7, 2026, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
A discussion of mapping flood zones, finding and printing FEMA maps, types of FEMA maps in the state, and what map updates are in progress statewide. This course also highlights the administrative procedures for changing or challenging effective FIRMs based on new or revised technical data (i.e., LOMAs and LOMR-Fs). Presenters: Ceil Strauss (DNR) and Mary Presnail (DNR).
Dealing with Zone A Floodplains
January 14, 2026, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Discover how to regulate those notorious Zone A floodplains! Find base flood elevations, regulatory flood protection elevations, and review options to determine the floodway versus flood fringe. Presenters: Ceil Strauss (DNR) and Jeff Weiss (DNR).
Shoreland and Floodplain Variances
January 26, 2026, 1 – 2 p.m.
Making decisions on variances to shoreland and floodplain standards is one of the most important jobs of boards of adjustment and the planning staff advising them. Learn how to apply Minnesota’s statutory variance criteria and write better variance findings that stand up to potential appeals. Recommended for local planning staff and boards of adjustment members. Presenters: Dan Petrik (DNR) and Ricky Hoffman (DNR).
Accessory Structures in the Floodplain
January 28, 2026, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
This training will explain what accessory structures are, where they can be permitted, and the requirements that must be met. The course will provide guidance for common accessory structures, such as garages, sheds, decks, gazebos, pergolas, and carports, as well as some less common examples, like “binzebos,” boathouses, and hoop buildings. Presenter: Ceil Strauss (DNR).
Grading and Non-structural Development in the Floodplain
February 4, 2026, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
This training will explain what grading and non-structural developments are, where they can be permitted, and the requirements that must be met.
FEMA Letters of Map Change (LOMCs)
February 11, 2026, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Delve into the world of acronyms! An in-depth walk-through of LOMAs, LOMR-Fs, LOMRs, and CLOMRs. Target audience is engineers and surveyors. Presenters: Ceil Strauss (DNR) and Jeff Weiss (DNR).
Floodplain and Watershed Higher Standards
February 23, 2026, 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 (DNR).
Substantial Damage and Post-Flood Responsibilities
March 4, 2026, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
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. Presenter: Ceil Strauss (DNR)
Wells and SSTS Regulations in the Floodplain
March 11, 2026, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
This training covers the floodplain requirements for water supply wells and onsite septic systems in the floodplain. Topics include state and federal floodplain regulations for water supply wells (Minnesota Rules 4725) and subsurface sewage treatment systems (44 CFR 60.3(a) and Minnesota Rules 6120 and 7080), how to find FEMA floodplain maps and floodplain zones, and finding the 10% annual chance (10-year) flood elevation. Presenter: Ceil Strauss (DNR).
Floodplain Violations and Enforcement
March 23, 2026, 1 – 2 p.m.
This training will cover the common types of floodplain violations, explain what the community’s responsibility is for enforcing violations, and discuss the tools available to help achieve compliance. Presenter: Ceil Strauss (DNR).