FbD Operations Quarterly All Action Group Convening
2023-04-18 13:00 - 15:00, 2023-07-18 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Contact Kas Guillozet at kguillozet@b-e-f.org for more information.

Monthly Lunch & Learn Series - USACE Permitting - Pre-Application: What is it, how to use it and why?
2023-05-04 12:00 - 13:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Did you know the USACE has a pre-application process, with a form you can access online, that can help you gain an understanding of the various permits and potential timelines you’ll need for your project? Neither did we! While permitting integrated floodplain management is challenging, connecting early in your project process with regulatory staff through this pre-app process can help you plan, consider necessary design changes earlier and budget better, hopefully reducing some of the stress associated with it.
Join us at the next FbD Lunch & Learn on Thursday, May 4th from 12pm – 1pm where we’ll hear from Evan Carnes, the Chief of the Columbia Basin Section for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, Regulatory Branch. Among his other duties, Evan leads the Seattle District Regulatory Program’s ‘Restoration Project Permit Streamlining’ effort throughout the State of Washington and Evan will discuss some of those efforts.
Evan will be joined by Christina Schoenfelder – Engineering Supervisor for the River & Flood Division of Whatcom County Public Works. Among her other duties, she works directly with staff, consultant teams, and agency representatives to apply for permits and incorporate environmental mitigation at a project level. Christina filled out the aforementioned Pre-Application Information Request form and will chat with Evan about how to bring more ease into permitting complex integrated floodplain projects. The USACE project manager Christina has worked with successfully, but frequently informally, for years recently took another position. She’s excited to engage in a conversation about how a more institutionalized pre-application structure and process similar to her informal relationship built over years can help standardize the steps she’ll need to keep Whatcom’s projects moving forward.
This segment is the first in a multi-part Permitting Pathways series that will continue at the June and July Lunch & Learns. These conversations will help build toward a deeper dive presentation from Evan at an in-person FbD Convening in the fall. If you have comments, questions, or even just frustrations with the permitting process you’d like to share, please submit them here and the backbone team will integrate them into our efforts to help streamline processes.
As always, we welcome feedback and ideas for upcoming topics so please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Lunch and Learn team: Allan Warren (awarren@b-e-f.org), Carol MacIlroy (cmacilroy@gmail.com), Lisa Nelson, (lnel461@ecy.wa.gov) or Matt Gerlach, (mger461@ecy.wa.gov).

2023 FbD Tribal Engagement Training
2023-05-17 12:00 - 14:00
Please contact jjaquery@b-e-f.org for more information.

Funding & Policy Action Meeting - Q2
2023-05-31 09:00 - 11:00
We look forward to seeing you all at the next Floodplains by Design Funding and Policy Action Group (FPAG) meeting on May 31st from 9:00-11:00 AM. There has been a lot happening at the legislative, agency and community level related to increasing flood resilience as part of community planning so we have structured the following agenda to highlight the emerging items and implications for your work. The DRAFT agenda includes the following bullets. More information will be shared in the meeting packet at the end of next week.

Debrief on Puget Sound Day on the Hill – Ahren Stroming (Puget Sound Partnership)
Analysis and outcomes of the 2023 Legislative Session – Skippy Shaw (TNC)
Climate Planning Element of Comp Plan Guidance and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Funding – Valerie Smith (Dept. of Commerce)
Local funding and policy reflections following the 2021 floods in Whatcom County – Debra Johnson (Whatcom County)

Zoom Info: https://americanrivers-org.zoom.us/j/84980134297
EMD also recently shared an update on the State Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan (SEHMP)process and new FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) funding opportunities that I wanted to pass along.
SEHMP Update:

The draft 2023 SEHMP has gone through a first round of review with FEMA R10. FEMA published an updated Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) policy last year, which went into effect on April 19, 2023. Although EMD funded and developed the SEHMP under the 2015 policy and submitted the draft for review before April 19, R10 decided that the plan must meet the new policy – which means there are a handful of revisions and changes that have to be made that were not expected. Fortunately, they are nothing that require rewriting the draft or re-doing analyses, so EMD is still confident that they will meet their deadline for approval of September 30.

HMA:

There is a new Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) round open for pre-applications right now. This round is related to DR-4682 (November 2022 floods/storms). A reminder that State agencies are eligible to apply for these funds. Click here for more info on the announcement. Pre-apps are due June 9.
The BRIC 23 announcement is expected by the end of summer/early fall, so EMD is starting to have conversations with State agency partners about project development. As always, EMD is looking for larger projects ($10+ million) that would be competitive nationally – that means lots of mitigation potential (good BCAs) while also addressing other concerns like social vulnerability, climate resilience, nature-based solutions, etc. If you have any ideas for a potential project, reach out to me and we can talk through it.

Please let Brandon Parsons (bparsons@americanrivers.org) know if you have any questions or if you have other ideas of timely topics to discuss.

Monthly Lunch & Learn Series - Section 401 Water Quality Certifications
2023-06-01 12:00 - 13:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Did you feel like we only scratched the surface on all things water quality certifications at last month’s Lunch & Learn? Are you wondering about the state’s role in the permitting process? The federal Clean Water Act grants states the authority to review and make a decision on proposed projects and actions directly affecting waters of the United States. In Washington, the Department of Ecology is a key organization responsible for the issuance of Section 401 water quality certifications and works directly with the USACE through the permitting process. Just like with the USACE, connecting early in your project process with regulatory staff at Ecology can help you plan and consider necessary design changes to help make your permitting process go smoothly.
Join us at the next FbD Lunch & Learn on Thursday, June 1st from 12pm – 1pm where we’ll hear from Department of Ecology staff Loree Randall, Section 401 Policy Lead and Federal permit Unit Supervisor, and Erin Hanlon-Brown, Federal Permit Manager and Nationwide Permit Liaison on partnering with Ecology during the Section 401 review process.
Loree and Erin will be joined by Joshua Fleischmann – Natural Resources Specialist with the River & Flood Division of Whatcom County Public Works. Among his other duties, Joshua acts as the agent/applicant for Whatcom County River and Flood Capital projects subject to regulatory review. At the June Lunch & Learn, Joshua and the Ecology team will continue discussing the Cougar Creek project (featured during last month’s Lunch & Learn webinar) but now with an eye on efficiencies for getting through the Section 401 water quality certification process.
This segment is the second installment of a multi-part Permitting Pathways series that will wrap up with the July Lunch & Learn featuring staff from the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation presenting on the Governors Executive Order 21-02 cultural resource review process. If you have comments, questions, or even just frustrations with the permitting process you’d like to share, please submit them here and the backbone team will integrate them into our efforts to help streamline processes.
As always, we welcome feedback and ideas for upcoming topics so please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Lunch and Learn team: Allan Warren (awarren@b-e-f.org), Carol MacIlroy (cmacilroy@gmail.com), Lisa Nelson, (lnel461@ecy.wa.gov) or Matt Gerlach, (mger461@ecy.wa.gov).
Zoom Login info: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094 Passcode: [REDACTED]

FbD Lunch & Learn Series – Cultural Resources Review
2023-07-06 12:00 - 13:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Another required and sometimes complex step in the permitting process for integrated floodplain management projects is cultural resources review. The Governor’s Executive Order (GEO) 21-02 (formerly 05-05) requires all state-funded construction or acquisition projects to consult with the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) and affected tribes on the potential effects of projects on cultural resources. If you have federal funding, this requirement may fall under Section 106 the National Historic Preservation Act, which you can learn a little more about in our previous Lunch & Learn with the USACE in May. However, for state funded projects the DAHP has archaeologists and architectural historians available to provide technical assistance to agency and project proponents to help navigate the cultural resources review process under GEO 21-02.
Join us at the next FbD Lunch & Learn on Thursday, July 6th from 12pm – 1pm where we’ll hear from DAHP’s Rob Whitlam, State Archaeologist and Maddie Levesque, Architectural Historian on partnering with DAHP during the GEO 21-02 review process.
This segment is the third installment of a multi-part Permitting Pathways series hosted through the Floodplains by Design Culture and Capacity Group. Please check out our website to see the slide decks and recordings on the Section 404 and 401 water quality certification processes: https://floodplainsbydesign.org/participate/culture-capacity/.
As always, we welcome feedback and ideas for upcoming topics so please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Lunch and Learn team: Allan Warren (awarren@b-e-f.org), Carol MacIlroy (cmacilroy@gmail.com), Lisa Nelson, (lnel461@ecy.wa.gov) or Matt Gerlach, (mger461@ecy.wa.gov).
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Passcode: [REDACTED]

FbD Operations Meeting
2023-08-15 13:00 - 14:30

September Floodplains by Design Convening
2023-09-11 09:00 - 19:00 | Port of Everett, Blue Heron Room, 1205 Craftsman Way #200, Everett, Washington, 98201, United States
Please save September 11, 2023 on your calendars for the first in person gathering FbD has held in a number of years. Topics will include permitting, federal funding complexities, celebration of partnerships, and more.
High Level Agenda:
9-12 AM site visits – Snohomish County (9AM-noon)
12-1 Lunch (provided) at Port of Everett Blue Heron Room
1-5 Afternoon Learning and Sharing Sessions
5-7 Early evening social with beverages, food and special honorings.
If you plan on attending the convening please click here to register and fill out this brief form to indicate food preferences and topics you’d like covered at the convening.

Steering Group Meeting
2023-10-13 11:00 - 13:00, 2024-01-29 13:00 - 15:30

Monthly Lunch & Learn Series - The Value of Video Storytelling
2023-11-02 12:00 - 13:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Join us on Thursday, November 2nd from 12pm – 1pm for the latest installment of the FbD Lunch & Learn Series. This month’s webinar will feature Jennifer Moslemi, Principal at CaravanLab, a full-service communications firm for science and sustainability, and Caroline Walls, Habitat Restoration Biologist with the Quileute Tribe’s Natural Resources department. Jen and Caroline will premier their new short film and discuss how the value of producing videos such as this goes far beyond just the end product.
While videos are a great communication tool for elected officials, funders, and the general public, the process of producing them is equally valuable. Video production can help integrated partnerships:

Build trust amongst partners
Connect with the community you’re working in
Remind and inspire everyone, audience and partners alike, of why we do this work

The discussion will also touch on capacity constraints and how to work around/within them; budgeting for this form of communication; and ways to use and distribute the video once it’s finished.

As always, there will be time for questions and discussion. We hope this helps inspire folks throughout the FbD Network to pay forward your next project with great video storytelling of your important work!

View and add the event to your calendar, and share the full webinar description at the Events Calendar on the FbD Website here. The FbD Lunch & Learn Series is open to everyone.
The topics of the monthly Lunch & Learn Series are informed by the Floodplains by Design network of practitioners and partners. If you would like to explore some of the topics and themes that emerged from our 2023 Input Gathering, you can view the themes here.
As always, we welcome feedback and ideas for upcoming topics so please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself (Allan Warren awarren@b-e-f.org), Carol MacIlroy (cmacilroy@gmail.com), Lisa Nelson, (lnel461@ecy.wa.gov) or Matt Gerlach, (mger461@ecy.wa.gov).
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Monthly Lunch & Learn Series - Celebrating Work Around the State!
2023-12-07 12:00 - 13:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
In the spirit of the holiday season, we wanted to take some time at this month’s webinar to celebrate and give thanks for all the great work going on around the state. We’ll be joined by 8 implementation partners who will each take 5 – 7 minutes to showcase the work that they and partners accomplished during this last year, featuring accomplishments from acquisitions to construction. Following the quick presentations we’ll open it up for discussion and anyone else that would like to share about good work happening in other communities around the state. Join us to hear from:

Randy Johnson, Habitat Program Manager for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, will present on the Rivers Edge levee setback and floodplain restoration project. 4,000’ of federal levee was setback along the lower Dungeness River to reconnect the floodplain with new off-channel habitat while providing flood protection to the town of Dungeness.
Mike Auger, Conservation Director for the North Olympic Land Trust, will speak on recent agricultural conservation easements closed in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley as part of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s FbD project.
Troy Havens, Water Resources Division Manager for Yakima County, will speak on the Nelson Dam replacement project on the Naches River. Nelson Dam was removed and replaced with a new diversion structure that allows for year-round fish passage , decreases flood risk for nearby landowners and improves water supply opportunities for the community.
Adam Cares, Natural Resource Planner for Stevens County, will speak on the Colville River Floodplain Restoration Pilot Project and efforts to identify additional projects on an adjacent reach of the Colville River.
Jessica Hamill and Darcey Hughes, Snohomish County, Jessica worked for Ecology in the early days of FbD and worked with folks to help build the grant program. Jessica is a Project Specialist IV with Snohomish County and manages the Community Floodplains Solutions (CFS) program which is working collaboratively to implement Farm-Fish-Flood benefits in the Snohomish basin. Darcey is Surface Water Management’s Funding Coordinator and works with Jessica (and others) to ensure the CFS actions are fully funded across different funding sources. Darcey has an extensive background in land conservation and was able to put those skills to good use helping Jessica and Adrienne Hulbert (SWM’s real property specialist) secure over 240 acres of floodplain property since 2020.
Judy Blanco is a Basin Steward within the Water and Land Resources Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. Her project areas include the Cedar River, Issaquah Creek, and Sammamish River. Her work includes prioritizing and sponsoring large scale floodplain restoration projects such as Riverbend, acquiring open space along riparian corridors with a focus on salmon recovery, collaborating on riparian restoration projects with nonprofit partners, and assisting the public with stewardship of private streamside properties.
Melissa Dahl and Mike Mactutis from the City of Kent, will highlight the work that’s finished up at the Downey Farmstead Restoration Project.

***

The FbD Lunch & Learn Series is open to everyone. The topics of the monthly Lunch & Learn Series are informed by the Floodplains by Design network of practitioners and partners. If you would like to explore some of the topics and themes that emerged from our 2023 Input Gathering, you can view the themes here.
You can view all the past Lunch & Learn recordings and the associated slidedecks on our Culture & Capacity Action Group page here.

As always, we welcome feedback and ideas for upcoming topics so please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself (Allan Warren awarren@b-e-f.org), Carol MacIlroy (cmacilroy@gmail.com), Lisa Nelson, (lnel461@ecy.wa.gov) or Matt Gerlach, (mger461@ecy.wa.gov).
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Funding and Policy Action Group Meeting
2023-12-12 09:00 - 11:00
The next Floodplains by Design’s Funding and Policy Action Group (FPAG) meeting is coming up on December 12th from 9:00-11:00 AM. This meeting is an opportunity to learn about emerging funding and policy issues impacting integrated floodplain management across the state and provide direct input to those leading these efforts. The agenda includes:

Proposed 2024 Legislation and Budget Items (Skippy Shaw, WA State Government Relations Director at The Nature Conservancy)
WA State Coastal Resilience Federal Funding Approach (Jay Krienitz, Coasts and Oceans Management Unit Supervisor at Ecology)
WA State Integrated Climate Change Response Strategy (Jimmy Kralj, Climate Resilience Strategy Planner at Ecology)
Funding and Policy Action Group Strategic Planning (Jonathon Loos, Floodplain Management Policy Lead at Ecology and Brandon Parsons, Director of River Restoration at American Rivers)

The WA State Integrated Climate Change Response Strategy will develop a coordinated vision across multiple state agencies to address the impacts of climate change through state laws, policies, regulations, rules, procedures, agency technical capacity and funding – including a state coordinated response to federal funding. The team leading this effort will provide a report back to the State Legislature in September 2024. Engagement now will be a great opportunity to share the climate risks your community is facing, the policy improvements needed to address them, and the funding and capacity needed to effectively implement your goals.

FbD Funding and Policy Action Group Strategy Meeting
2024-02-02 11:00 - 12:00
Purpose of spending time together today: To reflect on FbD’s Funding and Policy Action Group (FPAG) efforts to date, identify priorities and opportunities in the year ahead, and develop a strategy to continue achieving FPAG’s objectives. Please contact Brandon Parson’s (bparsons@americanrivers.org) to join.

FbD Operations - Grant Management Group
2024-03-05 13:00

Working with Beavers to Create Watershed Resilience - FbD Lunch & Learn Series
2024-03-07 12:00 - 13:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Join us on Thursday, March 7th from 12pm – 1pm for the latest installment of the FbD Lunch & Learn Series. This month’s webinar will feature Jean-Paul A. Zagarola, Senior Program Manager for the Bonneville Environmental Foundation and Mark Heckert, principal and lead researcher for Beaver Creek Environmental Services, Inc., to speak on the benefits and challenges of working with beavers for ecological restoration and climate.
With a background as a restoration ecologist, Jean-Paul cultivates diverse collaboratives to mainstream beaver-based restoration and accelerate wildfire resilience actions in Oregon. Mark fancies himself a wildlife biologist and budding naturalist in South Puget Sound and owns and runs a small environmental consulting firm in Puyallup, focusing mainly on wetlands and beaver relocation. Beavers aren’t THE answer, but they’re one of them!

Jean-Paul will share about his work coordinating the Mid-Willamette Beaver Partnership in Oregon and their efforts to create a healthier, more resilient watershed and Mark will highlight some of the relocation work he’s been doing, how it was inspired by other efforts throughout the state, and some of the barriers to scaling these efforts up. We’ll also share some tools that can be helpful to strategize and prioritize where to relocate beavers.
As always, there will be time for questions and discussion for things like outreach & education needs, the beaver bill that didn’t make it out of the current legislative session, and more! We know there’s a lot of interest in and work going on around the state with beavers so we’re excited for a robust discussion!
***

While we update the specific details of the Lunch & Learn sessions monthly, the topics are informed by feedback from the Floodplains by Design network of practitioners and partners. If you would like to explore some of the topics and themes that emerged from our 2023 Input Gathering, you can view the themes here.
As always, we welcome feedback and ideas for upcoming topics so please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself (Allan Warren awarren@b-e-f.org), Carol MacIlroy (cmacilroy@gmail.com), Lisa Nelson, (lnel461@ecy.wa.gov) or Matt Gerlach, (mger461@ecy.wa.gov).
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Passcode: [REDACTED]

FbD Operations - Communications and Collaboration
2024-03-19 13:00

2024 FbD Tribal Engagement Training Series!
2024-05-01 10:00 - 12:00
Back by popular demand, the FbD Culture and Capacity Action Group is pleased to host another round of FbD Tribal Engagement Trainings. The intended audience for the training series are non-Tribal floodplain managers, practitioners and scientists who are involved in current FbD projects (including this year’s applicants) and are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the multi-dimensionalities of Tribal Nations in Washington State.
We are extremely pleased to partner again with The Whitener Group, a Tribally owned consultant team, who will be facilitating the training series. Your workshop hosts will be Ron Whitener, Bob Whitener and Jennifer Whitener Ulrich of The Whitener Group. To learn more about the trainers, check out their bios!
Registration and Commitment
Space is limited to a maximum of 30 people and not all that register will be accepted. We ask that registrants make a firm commitment to attend all three two hour sessions occurring on May 1st, May 8th, and May 15th, and commit to their own research time (min 1-2 hrs). No previous knowledge in Tribal governance or history is required or expected. Please complete the registration form linked below and we will contact you to let you know whether or not you have been accepted. For those that qualify, we will be accepting participants on a first come first serve basis. We encourage you to sign up soon to reserve your spot! Please reach out to kseaforth@b-e-f.org with any questions.
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE REGISTRATION FORM

Integrating Nature-Based Solutions for Effective Hazard Mitigation Planning
2024-05-23 10:00 - 11:00
Please join FEMA Region X, American Rivers, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, Washington Department of Ecology, the Washington Emergency Management Division, and TetraTech for informative workshop on how to incorporate nature-based solutions into your community’s hazard mitigation plan.
Learn about the intricacies of developing a hazard mitigation plan, and how the planning process can forge partnerships and build community support for your projects as well as position you for future funding. This workshop will empower you with an understanding of the importance of hazard mitigation planning and equip you with the knowledge to engage in the planning process and effectively advance nature-based solutions. We look forward to your participation in this opportunity to dive deeper into the world of hazard mitigation planning and watch as communities come together to protect what matters most.
REGISTER HERE
Agenda Topics

Welcome and Introduction of Speakers
Overview of the Hazard Mitigation Planning Process
Integrating Nature-based Solutions into Hazard Mitigation Planning
Real-world Implementation

When
May 23, 2024
10:00 – 11:00 am PST
Where
Virtual MS Teams
Please register to receive the meeting link: Registration (https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/277cfa51-bece-41c2-82a4-040c8b66f5c9@a40fe4ba-abc7-48fe-8792-b43889936400)

Flood Risk: The Need for Acquisitions and Buyouts - FbD Lunch & Learn Series
2024-06-06 12:00 - 13:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
This Lunch & Learn explores the need for acquisitions and buyouts from the perspective of Washington State EMD’s newly created Disaster Resilience Program and from research and expertise from the Delaware Disaster Research Center. Exploration includes perspectives of flood risk and how local communities are taking action to reduce post-disaster losses, with a focus on costs, time, and impacts.
Will be updated with additional details soon.
To be added to the Lunch & Learn calendar invites, email Allan Warren, awarren@b-e-f.org.
The FbD Lunch & Learn Series is open to everyone. The topics of the monthly Lunch & Learn Series are informed by the Floodplains by Design network of practitioners and partners. If you would like to explore some of the topics and themes that emerged from our 2024 Input Gathering, you can view the themes here.
You can view all the past Lunch & Learn recordings and the associated slidedecks on our Culture & Capacity Action Group page here.

As always, we welcome feedback and ideas for upcoming topics so please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself (Allan Warren awarren@b-e-f.org), Carol MacIlroy (cmacilroy@gmail.com), Lisa Nelson, (lnel461@ecy.wa.gov) or Matt Gerlach, (mger461@ecy.wa.gov).
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Crafting and Funding an Acquisition/Buyout Strategy (Part 2)
2024-06-10 14:30 - 16:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
In partnership with FEMA Region X, join us on Monday, June 10th from 2:30pm – 4:00pm for part 2 of the Acquisition and Buyout Series. In this webinar, we will be joined by local, state, and Tribal floodplain management experts who will each share tips, perspectives, and things to consider for both why and how to develop an acquisition/buyout strategy. Topics to be covered will include:

Forming a vision and purpose for an acquisition strategy.
Establishing priority areas and parcels for buyouts.
Post-flood strategy development
Tool spotlights.
State and federal funding opportunities and considerations.
Equity considerations.

Come learn and share strategies for crafting a property acquisitions and buyout strategy, either in advance of or in response to a damaging flood event.
This Webinar is hosted through the Cooperating Technical Partnership between American Rivers, BEF, and FEMA.
If you can’t make this or any of the other webinars in the series, each will be recorded and posted on the FbD website on the Culture & Capacity Action Group page within a couple of days of the event.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Implementing an Acquisition/Buyout Strategy (Part 3)
2024-06-13 13:00 - 14:30 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
In partnership with FEMA Region X, join us on Thursday, June 13th from 1:00pm – 2:30pm for part 3 of the Acquisition and Buyout Series. In this webinar, we will host a panel discussion of local, state, and tribal floodplain practitioners to discuss the steps and challenges of implementing a buyout strategy. Topics covered by this panel will include:

Overview of the acquisition process and needed expertise.
Budgeting
Landowner engagement
Due Diligence
Relocation
Demolition & site clean up
Long-term property holding
Lessons learned

The session will conclude with time for webinar participants to ask questions and engage with speakers from throughout the series. If you can’t make this or any of the other webinars in the series, each will be recorded and posted on the FbD website on the Culture & Capacity Action Group page within a couple of days of the event.
This Webinar is hosted through the Cooperating Technical Partnership between American Rivers, BEF, and FEMA.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Exploring Creative Roles State’s Are Playing to Get People out of Harm’s Way (Part 4) - FbD Lunch & Learn Series
2024-07-11 12:00 - 13:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Join us on Thursday, July 11th, from 12pm – 1pm, for the fourth and final installment of the Acquisitions & Buyouts Series. This webinar will feature Courtney Wald-Wittkop, Manager of the Blue Acres Program at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and Garin Bulger, Research Specialist with the Center for Urban Policy Research at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, to share information on the State of New Jersey’s Blue Acres program.Since its inception in 1995, Blue Acres has worked to better protect public safety and the environment by relocating New Jersey families whose homes are subject to repeated flooding and acquiring property for use as natural flood storage, parks, and community open space. Courtney will share an overview of the program and lessons learned in working with landowners and communities to fund and complete buyouts through the Blue Acres program.Garin’s research focuses on climate adaptation policy, environmental policy, community-led work, and climate justice. Garin will share some of his research on how best to engage the community when enacting buyout programs.
As always, there will be time for questions and discussion. If you can’t make this or any of the other webinars in the series, each will be recorded and posted on the FbD website on the Culture & Capacity Action Group page within a couple of days of the event.
***
While we update the specific details of the Lunch & Learn sessions monthly, the topics are informed by feedback from the Floodplains by Design network of practitioners and partners. If you would like to explore some of the topics and themes that emerged from our 2024 Input Gathering, you can view the themes here.
As always, we welcome feedback and ideas for upcoming topics so please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself (Allan Warren awarren@b-e-f.org), Carol MacIlroy (cmacilroy@gmail.com), Lisa Nelson, (lnel461@ecy.wa.gov) or Matt Gerlach, (mger461@ecy.wa.gov).
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Moving at the Speed of Trust to Achieve Collective Outcomes - FbD Lunch & Learn Series
2024-09-05 12:00 - 13:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Join us on Thursday, September 5th, from 12pm – 1pm, for the latest installment of our annual “Building Trust in Natural Resource Management” series. This discussion will feature Cindy Talbott Roché, a private landowner along the Colville River, and Adam Cares, Natural Resource Manager for Stevens County and a project that has taken several years to develop collective goals for multi-benefit outcomes in northeastern Washington. Cindy is a farm girl with a PhD, who lived with her family on a farm near Chewelah starting in the mid-1960s from where she went on to earn degrees from Washington State University (BS in Forestry and Range Management and MS in Rangeland Ecology), then a PhD from University of Idaho in Plant Science. Her lifelong interests in botany and ecology have led to a vision for restoring wetland habitats with native plants. Initially, she wanted to apply that vision to her property at the confluence of Chewelah Creek and the Colville River, which is how she met Adam. Now, through a land-swap agreement with her brother with whom she co-owned the Talbott family farm, she has the opportunity to pursue restoration in two locations. Adam has coordinated stakeholder-led efforts to restore floodplains, wetlands, and riparian habitat along the Colville River since 2016, with a focus on agricultural lands in the floodplain. Adam coordinates Stevens County’s FbD and FCAAP grant efforts, which are initial steps toward integrated floodplain management in Stevens County. This talk will feature the development of trust between partners has led to better agricultural production, an opportunity to restore 160 acres of vital wetland, and flood risk reduction for downstream neighbors and the Chewelah community.
As always, there will be time for questions and discussion. If you can’t make this or any of the other webinars in the series, each will be recorded and posted on the FbD website on the Culture & Capacity Action Group page within a couple of days of the event.
While we update the specific details of the Lunch & Learn sessions monthly, the topics are informed by feedback from the Floodplains by Design network of practitioners and partners. If you would like to explore some of the topics and themes that emerged from our 2023 Input Gathering, you can view the themes here.
You can view all the past Lunch & Learn recordings and the associated slidedecks on our Culture & Capacity Action Group page here.

As always, we welcome feedback and ideas for upcoming topics so please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself (Allan Warren awarren@b-e-f.org), Carol MacIlroy (cmacilroy@gmail.com), Lisa Nelson, (lnel461@ecy.wa.gov) or Matt Gerlach, (mger461@ecy.wa.gov).
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Channel Migration Zones - FbD Lunch & Learn Series
2024-12-05 12:00 - 13:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Join us on December 5th, from 12 – 1pm to hear about how Channel Migration Zone (CMZ) delineations support integrated floodplain management. Heather Rogers, Fluvial Geomorphologist at the Washington State Department of Ecology, will share updates on statewide resources to support channel migration zone delineations across Washington. Jessica Hamill, Community Floodplain Solutions Manager at Snohomish County Surface Water Management, will provide a case study on how a CMZ delineation influences integrated floodplain management on the Lower Skykomish River, informing decisions on how to balance needs for flood reduction, habitat restoration, and agricultural viability.
The principal goal of delineating the Channel Migration Zone—the area where a stream or river is susceptible to channel erosion—is to predict areas at risk for future channel erosion due to fluvial processes. CMZ delineations help reduce risks to communities by guiding development along river systems away from such areas. Additionally, CMZ delineations can guide management strategies aimed at reducing loss of critical aquatic and riparian habitats, helping assure that fluvial process are accommodated and that the river landscape is not permanently degraded or disconnected by development.
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The FbD Lunch & Learn Series is open to everyone. The topics of the monthly Lunch & Learn Series are informed by the Floodplains by Design network of practitioners and partners.
You can view all the past Lunch & Learn recordings and the associated slidedecks on our Culture & Capacity Action Group page here.

As always, we welcome feedback and ideas for upcoming topics so please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself (Allan Warren awarren@b-e-f.org), Carol MacIlroy (cmacilroy@gmail.com), Lisa Nelson, (lnel461@ecy.wa.gov) or Matt Gerlach, (mger461@ecy.wa.gov).
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Permitting Coordination Check-in
2025-01-08 10:00 - 10:50
Meeting Agenda
1. Habitat Recovery Pilot Program 2. Smartsheet basket of solutions – review and prioritize for 20253. Other updates4. Next meeting agenda
Join Zoom Meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3424790936?omn=88416267344Passcode: [REDACTED]

The Impact of the Habitat Recovery Pilot Program and Efforts to Make it Permanent - FbD Lunch & Learn
2025-01-09 12:00 - 13:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
*Note: we moved this month’s Lunch & Learn back a week to adjust for the holidays. We look forward to seeing you all this Thursday!
Join us on January 9th, from 12pm – 1pm to hear how the Habitat Recovery Pilot Program has increased the efficiency of habitat restoration project investments. Gina Piazza, HRPP Coordinator for the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife will provide an overview of the program and highlight significant impacts it’s making; Don Gourlie, Legislative Policy Director for the Puget Sound Partnership will give an update on legislative efforts to make the program permanent before it sunsets on June 30th, 2025; and Jason Griffith, Environmental Program Manager for the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians will provide a specific example of how the tribe has coordinated with project partners to navigate the new HRPP process program to accelerate their projects and save money.
The Habitat Recovery Pilot Program (HRPP) is designed to streamline the local and state environmental permitting process for habitat recovery projects. Over the past four years, the HRPP has helped streamline permitting for over 40 projects statewide, with implementation partners reporting saving up to $80,000 and a year on project timelines. Absent legislative action the program will expire in June 2025. Many FbD network partners have benefited from the program and expressed a desire to make it permanent, so join us to share and learn more about its impact and how you may be able to support legislative efforts this session.

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Passcode: [REDACTED]
While we update the specific details of the Lunch & Learn sessions monthly, the topics are informed by feedback from the Floodplains by Design network of practitioners and partners.
As always, we welcome feedback and ideas for upcoming topics so please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself (Allan Warren awarren@b-e-f.org), Carol MacIlroy (cmacilroy@gmail.com), Lisa Nelson, (lnel461@ecy.wa.gov) or Matt Gerlach, (mger461@ecy.wa.gov).

Permitting Coordination Check-in
2025-01-22 10:00 - 10:50
Meeting Agenda

MART Updates: Diane Hennessey (EPA), Ahren Stroming (PSP)
Governor’s Executive Orders (Jim Thornton, ORIA and all) https://governor.wa.gov/office-governor/office/official-actions/executive-orders
Salmon recovery accelerator bill (Todd Myers, Washington Policy Center) https://app.leg.wa.gov/BillSummary/?BillNumber=5305&Year=2025&Initiative=false
Tentative: CLOMR updates
Other Updates

On deck, when timely:

Dig in deeper with FFRMS
Flood Hub Development

Join Zoom Meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3424790936?omn=88416267344Passcode: [REDACTED]
Click here to view previous meeting notes: Permitting Meeting Notes

Lessons from the Tulalip Tribes' Conservation Work in the Snohomish Basin
2025-02-06 12:00 - 13:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Join us on Thursday, February 6th from 12 – 1pm for an insightful lunch and learn with Brett Shattuck and Joe Sambataro, two leaders in conservation efforts with the Tulalip Tribes, as they share their experiences and insights from a recent floodplain acquisition project in the Snohomish Basin at the confluence of the Skykomish and Snoqualmie Rivers. This session offers a deep dive into the acquisition strategies, challenges, and lessons learned during their work to protect and restore in the future a critical floodplain area. This session will also explore the broader significance of riparian conservation projects and the importance of long-term, scalable funding strategies.

Joe Sambataro Bio
Joe Sambataro is Conservation Advisor in the Restoration, Acquisition and Stewardship Program at Tulalip Tribes with the primary role of managing acquisition projects and strategies of natural and cultural resources in Tulalip Tribes’ Usual and Accustomed areas, including upland forestland, floodplain, shoreline, and estuaries. Joe has been at Tulalip Tribes since November 2023 and brings over 20 years of experience in conservation acquisitions, multi-partner collaborations, funding/financing, and land management.
Brett Shattuck Bio
Brett Shattuck is the Restoration, Acquisition and Stewardship Program Manager for the Tulalip Tribe’s Natural Resources Department and has worked for over 17 years primarily in the Snohomish and Stillaguamish River Basins from the Cascade Mountains to the Puget Sound nearshore on various scales of restoration projects. His current focus is protection and restoration of natural riverine and floodplain processes through land conservation and habitat connectivity.
If you would like to explore some of the topics and themes that emerged from our 2023 Input Gathering, you can view the themes here.
You can view all the past Lunch & Learn recordings and the associated slidedecks on our Culture & Capacity Action Group page here.

As always, we welcome feedback and ideas for upcoming topics so please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself (Allan Warren awarren@b-e-f.org), Carol MacIlroy (cmacilroy@gmail.com), Lisa Nelson, (lnel461@ecy.wa.gov) or Matt Gerlach, (mger461@ecy.wa.gov).
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Passcode: [REDACTED]
