Floodplains by Design

FbD Funding and Policy Action Group Strategy Meeting
2024-02-02 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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!
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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, 2024-05-08 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-05-15 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.
***
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]

FbD Grant Update Advisory Group Meeting #1
2025-02-12 09:00 - 11:00
Issue #1: The Floodplains by Design (FbD) pre-application process requires significant time and capacity by applicants and Ecology (ECY) that may no longer be needed at this stage.
Goal: Reduce the time required in the pre-application process without compromising local processes or critical requirements such as Tribal notification that lead to the high-quality projects the FbD program is known for. Changes to the pre-application and pre-app process are described in the proposal below. We hope to hear from local experts regarding additional ideas and reflections to help ensure changes will be beneficial.
——————————————View the recording of this meeting: FbD Grant Update Advisory Group Meeting #1Meeting notes can be found here: FbD Grant Update Group Meeting #1 Notes

Permitting Coordination Check-in
2025-02-19 10:00 - 10:50
Meeting Agenda
1) Informational updates on legislation
– HRPP
– Permitting Accelerator
– CLOMR/LOMR Fed

2) Timely to develop anything for Governor’s office?

3) Other updates and check ins – how are folks being impacted by changes
Join Zoom Meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3424790936?omn=88416267344Passcode: [REDACTED]

Permitting Coordination Check-in
2025-03-05 10:00 - 10:50
Meeting Agenda

Habitat Recover Pilot Program did not make it out of Fiscal. What now and what next?
Updates on FEMA accessibility and note about FbD FPAG meeting Tuesday March 11 from 10-12 – one agenda item will include a lawyer who will offer some perspective on: Proposed Changes to FEMA and the Future of Federal Disaster Response: how recent executive actions may reshape disaster management and their potential impact on affected communities
Steps to making permitting more timely, fair, and predictable
Other updates and next steps

Notes from previous Permitting Group Meetings can be found here
Join Zoom Meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3424790936?omn=88416267344Passcode: [REDACTED]

Bolstering Resilience Through Hazard Mitigation Planning
2025-03-06 12:00 - 13:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Join us on Thursday, March 6th from 12 – 1pm for an insightful lunch and learn with Ellen Chappelka and Kevin Zerbe, two leaders in hazard mitigation with the Washington State Emergency Management Division. Ellen and Kevin will share their experiences, insights, and recommendations on how to intersect hazard mitigation planning with community conservation, resilience and restoration goals. The session will include a brief introduction to hazard mitigation planning with a focus on data and resources to support practitioners in making the most of their mitigation plans.
This lunch and learn will be co-hosted with the Washington Coastal Hazards Resilience Network (CHRN) to stimulate cross-network connections between floodplain managers working in coastal, estuarine and riverine environments. The Washington Coastal Hazards Resilience Network’s (CHRN) mission is to strengthen the resilience of Washington’s coastal communities through collaboration, education, and knowledge exchange. CHRN does this through:

Supporting a peer network of coastal hazards practitioners
Providing coastal hazards information for Washington
Sustaining network capacity while adapting to changing needs of Washington’s coastal communities and resilience practitioners

Please check out the CHRN’s website with a curated selection of relevant science, best practices, and other resources related to coastal hazards in Washington.

Ellen Chappelka Bio
Ellen Chappelka is a Coastal Resilience Specialist for the Washington State Emergency Management Division. Ellen works on the interagency Coastal Hazards Organizational Resilience Team (COHORT) with Washington Sea Grant, WSU Extension, and Washington State Department of Ecology. She assists communities in addressing coastal hazards through coordination, resource connection, technical assistance, and planning. She’s particularly interested in strengthening connections between state agencies and local communities.

Ellen holds a master’s degree in public health from Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She also holds a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University in New Orleans where she double majored in Public Health and Homeland Security. Her time in Louisiana helped her develop a lifelong passion for coastal areas and the hazards that impact them.

Kevin Zerbe Bio
Kevin Zerbe is the Hazards Analysis & Resilience Planning Program Supervisor at Washington Emergency Management Division. Hazards Analysis & Resilience Planning, HARP for short, is responsible for providing the state with a scientific basis for effective and data driven decision-making for disaster resilience. This includes statewide natural hazard risk assessments, developing state and local hazard mitigation plans, and working directly with local partners to identify and design effective risk reduction projects. Kevin’s background is in climate adaptation and spatial statistics, and he’s been with WA EMD for about five years.”

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/2125469094Passcode: [REDACTED]

FbD Funding & Policy Action Group Winter Meeting
2025-03-11 10:00 - 12:00
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3424790936?omn=83353379400
Meeting ID: 342 479 0936

Passcode: [REDACTED]

Meeting Agenda
1. Welcome & Brief Updates

Federal Hazard Mitigation Funding (Mary Huff, WA Dept. of Ecology)
Orientation to FbD priority issues and engagement opportunities (Kas Guillozet, BEF)
Washington Climate Resiliency Strategy (Jimmy Kralj, Ecology)

2. 2025 Washington Legislative Updates

Legislative Session Update (Scott Richards, BEF contract lobbyist)
Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Policy Updates and Priorities (Anna Allen, Regional Government Affairs Director – CRITFC)
Questions & Discussion

3. Local Planning and Collaboration for integrated, multi-benefit outcomes:

Planning (Joe Tovar, FAICP, Lecturer in Urban and Environmental Planning)
Questions & Discussion

4. Ecology Becoming State LOMR Partner: Meaning, Impact, and Timeline (Lynn Schmidt and Jonathon Loos, WA Dept. of Ecology)

Overview of ECY effort to build in-state technical capacity building through FEMA CTP near-term and long-term, and the anticipated benefits for mapping, permitting, and other technical support.
Current ECY CTP supports training of ECY flood engineer on various projects statewide, presentation of example project outcomes

5. Federal Funding and Impacts – A Legal Perspective and a Conversation

Legal Interpretations and the Future of Federal Disaster Response (Hannah Perls, Senior Staff Attorney, Environmental & Energy Law Program at Harvard Law School)
Broader discussion regarding federal funding and capacity information, needs, concerns.

6. Closure

The FbD Funding & Policy Action Group serves as the go-to convenor for floodplain funding and policy efforts across the state and to leverage current momentum for integrated floodplain management into innovative approaches that can better position partners for funding, address barriers to implementation, and improve coordination across all levels of government.View the notes from the last FPAG meeting:December 17, 2024 Meeting Packet

Permitting Coordination Check-in
2025-03-19 10:00 - 10:50
With some difficult news shared last meeting on WA permitting bills, we closed the meeting on 3/5 with a request for a conversation about how to seize this moment in time with respect to permit streamlining for the greater good. Refinements welcome, but here are proposed discussion prompts:

How to better educate legislature on permitting and how benefits of state streamlining efforts affect budgets
Planning for 2026 leg session
Engagement with the Governor’s Office
Opportunities for Tribes
Priorities for informational/educational resource development and outreach
Understanding and socializing new/emerging constraints (local govs, Tribes, state and fed regulators, expert sources).
Opportunities and concerns regarding federal legislative changes
Expertise we need to bring in

This is certainly more than we can manage – we could consider chunking this conversation, breakout rooms or similar. Please reach out in advance with input on where you would like to start, or feel free to make edits in Box.

Notes from last meeting here. Please note there is a highlighted update in notes since last meeting on changes to R10 FEMA staff guidance. Please check that out if relevant to you and feel free to offer edits.
Join Zoom Meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3424790936?omn=88416267344Passcode: [REDACTED]

FbD Grant Update Advisory Group Meeting #2
2025-03-25 09:00 - 11:00
Issue #2: The Floodplains by Design (FbD) application process begins with a Request for Proposal release in early November and ends with a ranked list in August. Are there shifts to timing of key application steps or a different sequencing that better aligns with applicant and reviewer needs?
Goal: Revisit the timeline and sequence of the FbD grant program to determine if shifts in timing or sequences delivers benefits.
Registration Link

FbD Lunch & Learn Series – Topics Updated Monthly
2025-04-03 12:00 - 13:00
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]

Permitting Coordination Check-in
2025-04-16 10:00 - 10:50
Join permitting coordination every other Wednesday to track progress, share insights, and collaborate effectively.
Notes from previous meetings here.

Join Zoom Meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3424790936?omn=88416267344Passcode: [REDACTED]

FbD Permitting Priority Effort Meeting
2025-04-29 13:00 - 14:30
Please hold this time for a meeting related to the Floodplains by Design permitting priority effort. We will send out more information at least one week before the meeting.
Join the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5653221882?omn=89010559082
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Permitting Coordination Biweekly check-in
2025-04-30 10:00 - 10:50
Agenda:
1. State budget updates – HRPP status and next steps
2. FEMA R10 staffing updates
3. Whitepaper updates
Meeting agenda and previous meeting notes: https://app.box.com/s/t4fkxbjvrbxpztpebx1nqqe5dk6pqbso
Smartsheet: https://app.smartsheet.com/sheets/4C6w9Cxg6CVHQfQG4vpPJQRWwCq27FQX4v3G3jh1
Join the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3424790936?omn=88416267344
Password: [REDACTED]

Tribal Perspectives on Flooding
2025-05-01 11:30 - 13:00
(Updated Speakers)
Join this 90-minute conversation featuring David Troutt, Anna Allen, Donella Miller, Jaime Pinkham, and facilitated by Bobby Whitener. Panelists will provide insights into their perspectives on flooding, flood dynamics in specific geographies, and reflections on cultural values.
Speaker Bios
David Troutt (Natural Resources Director, Nisqually Indian Tribe)
*
David has served as the Natural Resources Director for the Nisqually Indian Tribe since 1987. He heads a diverse department focused on salmon, shellfish, wildlife and the environment in general, with duties including management, legal, administration, budget development, research and monitoring. Throughout his career at the Nisqually Indian Tribe, he worked closely with late Billy Frank, Jr. He also serves as chair of the Nisqually River Council and president of the Nisqually River Foundation, and he is the chair of the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Council. David previously served on the Washington Biodiversity Council, the Executive Committee of the Tri-County Response to the Endangered Species Act, the Development Committee of the Shared Strategy for Puget Sound, the Steering Committee for the Hatchery Reform Project, and as a voting member of the Resource Advisory Committee for the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Mr. Troutt received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Washington School of Fisheries.
Anna Allen (Shoshone-Bannock, Regional Government Affairs Director, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission)
* Anna is the Regional Government Affairs Director at the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC), where she works on advancing the interests of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation, and the Yakama Nation. Her work involves navigating complex governmental landscapes, building relationships with regional entities, and ensuring that the voices of the Columbia River tribes are heard in policy decisions that affect their cultural resources. Prior to her work at CRITFC, Anna held a number of positions across regional governments, including Tribal Affairs Advisor, Senior Project Manager, and Policy Advisor at Multnomah County. And served as the Equity and Inclusion Director with the City of Bend.
Jaime Pinkham (Nez Perce, Former Principle Deputy Assistant, Army Corps)
* Jaime A. Pinkham (Nez Perce) served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works for the Biden Administration from April 2021 to January 2025. Prior positions include Executive Director for the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission and Vice President of the Bush Foundation in St. Paul, MN. From 1990 to 2002, he worked for the Nez Perce Tribe where he was elected twice to the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee. He was also a department manager responsible for Tribal fisheries, forestry, wildlife, cultural resources, and agriculture programs. He has served on various conservation boards including The Wilderness Society, American Rivers, Defenders of Wildlife and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. He has a forestry degree from Oregon State University.

Donella Miller (Yakama, Fishery Science Manager, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission)
* Donella is the Fishery Science Department Manager at the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC). With over 29 years of experience in Columbia River fisheries resource management, she previously served as the Yakama Nation Fisheries Program Manager. Donella has also held roles such as the Yakama Nation Fisheries White Sturgeon Project Manager and has contributed to various projects throughout the Columbia Basin.
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]
