Floodplains by Design

Permitting Coordination Bi-Weekly Check-In
2025-07-23 10:00 - 10:50 (America/Los_Angeles)
There are pulses of activity and different forums where permitting efforts are taking place, making it challenging for people to track and engage effectively. Join our permitting coordination check-ins every other Wednesday to track progress, share insights, and collaborate effectively.

Permitting Coordination Meeting 7.23.25 and Box Link
1. Updates – all

2. There is opportunity to add commitments to the Salmon Recovery Plan Addendum: 2025-27 Implementation Plan section on permitting and we will be joined by Melissa Speeg and Ashley Bagley from PSP to learn more. We will discuss:

– Background, purpose, and strategy: A commitment as a one sentence statement on an activity that is measurable, is bold yet achievable, and is timebound to be completed by or before 2030. Providing commitment statements regarding the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan Addendum provides a fuller picture of the work advancing the 20 implementation actions enabling PSP to identify implementation gaps and barriers. Commitments will help inform adaptive management. By providing commitment statements, your organization is agreeing to stay in communication with the Partnership to track the implementation of each commitment annually as well as its overall effectiveness over time.

– Is this an opportunity to refine or at least spur discussion regarding how to better work as a team?

– Are there additions this group, agencies, tribes, orgs may want to make? Other notes from PSP regarding what would be most supportive?

3. Reminder about Doodle to schedule fall meetings and Permitting Brief open for review

4. Short term FEMA comment alert: ASFPM has been alerted to a last-minute opportunity for members to share their knowledge, experiences, and expertise with the FEMA Review Council through a survey. The Council, which has already met twice, is now gathering input from state and local experts on what FEMA should look like in the future. Your on-the-ground perspective is essential to ensuring flood mitigation and floodplain management remain strong priorities.

We apologize for the short timeframe established by the FEMA Review Council. If you are able, please respond to the survey by tomorrow, July 23, at 5 p.m. EST (2 p.m. PST).
The purpose of this survey is to evaluate the 32 core capabilities outlined in the National Preparedness Goal and explore the potential for transferring certain responsibilities currently managed at the federal level.
Please review each capability, considering both how FEMA currently supports your organization/jurisdiction and the potential for transferring responsibilities. Using the core capabilities sheet, assess the existing roles and responsibilities, and then propose how these responsibilities could be accomplished by your organization/jurisdiction if FEMA support was no longer available.
The survey is broken out by FEMA’s four mission areas:
Mitigation: https://forms.office.com/g/yB1cxbFGXW
Preparedness: https://forms.office.com/g/HNQ4exGcRP
Response : https://forms.office.com/g/2DpSirWm9q
Recovery: https://forms.office.com/g/X5x1ht0TaU
We recognize this is an extremely tight window, but your expertise matters. Please take a few minutes today or early tomorrow to share your perspective using the survey links above. Your input could help shape how FEMA supports communities in the years ahead.
5. Attached, FYI: EPIC’s letter regarding Nationwide Permits

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3424790936?omn=88416267344
Pwd: [REDACTED]
Permitting Coordination Meeting 7.23.25 and Box Link

FbD Grant Update Advisory Meeting #4
2025-07-24 13:00 - 15:00
Issue #4: The Floodplains by Design (FbD) grant program scoring includes several components under review during this update cycle: guidance to applicants on scoring criteria (Funding Guidelines), guidance to evaluators (evaluator scorecard), and the point allocation. The FbD grant program has been functioning well for more than 10 years and through seven application cycles; however, a review and tightening up of the scoring components for clarity and consistency was flagged as a need during the 2023-25 round. Some areas of scoring seemed to overlap, while others appeared they could benefit from additional detail. A few changes were made for the 2025-27 round, though applicants and evaluators expressed that there was still some confusion.
Goal: Improve the clarity and relevance of program scoring criteria to better guide applicants and evaluators.
Registration is now open: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Rq0d_Rf2SR6aDGcTbeLssA

Permitting Coordination Bi-Weekly Check-In
2025-08-06 10:00 - 10:50, 2025-08-20 10:00 - 10:50, 2025-09-03 10:00 - 10:50, 2025-09-17 10:00 - 10:50, 2025-09-18 10:00 - 10:50, 2025-10-02 10:00 - 10:50, 2025-10-16 10:00 - 10:50, 2025-10-30 10:00 - 10:50 and 4 more dates
There are pulses of activity and different forums where permitting efforts are taking place, making it challenging for people to track and engage effectively. Join our permitting coordination check-ins every other Wednesday to track progress, share insights, and collaborate effectively.

Topics Updated Monthly - FbD Lunch & Learn Series
2025-09-04 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.
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 FPAG Summer Meeting
2025-09-04 13:00 - 15:00
The Funding & Policy Action Group serves as the go-to convenor for floodplain funding and policy efforts across the state. This meeting leverages 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.
High Level Agenda Last Updated 9.3.25 (Updated Packet with detailed agenda, prereading attached)
Join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3424790936?omn=83142097693&jst=2
Password: [REDACTED]
1.
Welcome & Networking
*
Breakout Rooms
*
Brief Updates on HRPP – Don Gourlie, Puget Sound Partnership
2.
Local Ordinance Revisions; Rulemaking
*
Updates on Recent Ecology Rulemaking – Jonathon Loos, Ecology Flood Policy Lead
*
Flood Code and Ordinance Revisions – Amanda Richardson, Ecology NFIP Coordinator
3.
State Policy/Issues
*
Flood Disclosure Laws: How Washington Compares & Lessons from Other States – Joel Scata, Senior Attorney, Environmental Health, NRDC
4.
Federal Policy
*
UPDATE: Derrick’s wife just had twin girls and we are honored and pleased to welcome: Tony Hake, Senior Resilience Program Advisor, AECOM, and Luis V. Rodriguez, PE, Program Director, Flood Risk Solutions, AECOM
*
Derrick Hiebert, AECOM – FEMA Independence Act of 2025
5.
Buyouts & Acquisitions Upcoming Opportunities and Resources

Topics Updated Monthly - FbD Lunch & Learn Series
2025-09-11 12:00 - 13:00
Reminder that today’s Lunch & Learn was rescheduled to today.
Join us on Thursday, September 11th for a discussion with Judy Blanco, the Cedar River Basin Steward for King County’s Water and Land Resources Division. Judy will highlight the Riverbend Levee Setback and Floodplain Restoration project and the complex challenges it presented with relocating 90 families, half of whom were non-English speakers. This project was a huge endeavor, but ultimately ensured that the County not only help get people out of harm’s way, but that they were treated fairly and equitably in the process.
Judy will highlight the process, the partners and people involved, how it was informed by data, and the lessons learned, which has helped create an approach to large scale acquisitions and relocations that didn’t exist for the County prior to this project. Judy will also highlight a post project survey and report conducted by the relocation consultant, in which the residents reported being in a better situation, with a nicer home, and in less debt.
This discussion will be full of insights and tips for how to thoughtfully plan for and implement acquisitions and relocations with at-risk communities, and we welcome members throughout the FbD network to join us and share their efforts and insights with similar projects.
This discussion builds off of the 4-part Acquisition and Buyouts series we hosted in the summer of 2024, links to which can be found here for those interested in additional resources:
1.
Flood Risk: A Need for Acquisitions and Buyouts
2.
Crafting and Funding a Local Acquisition/Buyout Strategy
3.
Implementing a Local Acquisition/Buyout Strategy
4.
Exploring the Creative Roles States Are Playing to Get People out of Harm’s Way
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).
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Permitting Coordination Bi-Weekly Check-In
2025-09-18 10:00 - 10:50
There are pulses of activity and different forums where permitting efforts are taking place, making it challenging for people to track and engage effectively. Join our permitting coordination check-ins every other Wednesday to track progress, share insights, and collaborate effectively.
Agenda
1. Quick updates /agenda items (all, 5 mins)
2. USACE Regulatory Request System (RRS) (Dan Krentz, USACE, 15 mins)
3. High level update on HRPP efforts (all, 5 mins)
4. Cassidy RFI follow ups (Kas, 5 mins)
5, Other items (all, 15 mins)
(US) +1 646-931-3860‬
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Meeting host: kguillozet@b-e-f.org
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3424790936?omn=88676126947&jst=2

Getting Help During a Flood through Mutual Aid Agreements - FbD Lunch & Learn Series
2025-10-02 12:00 - 13:00
Join us on Thursday, October 2nd, for a special Flood Awareness Month session exploring how the Washington Intrastate Mutual Aid System (WAMAS) helps communities respond to floods and other natural disasters. This session will help floodplain managers, habitat restoration practitioners, Tribal staff, and local governments understand how mutual aid can protect communities, infrastructure, and restoration investments and what steps to take before an emergency happens.
Mark Douglas from WA Emergency Management Division will share the nuts and bolts of how WAMAS works, who can participate, how to sign up, and why it matters. Kirk Holmes will then share his perspective with real-world examples from his past experience as a Public Works Director. As always, we encourage attendees to come ready to ask questions and share any insight into WAMAS or how you’ve used it to gain support in an emergency response crisis.
Speaker Bios
Mark Douglas is the Logistics Program Supervisor for the Washington Emergency Management Division. His portfolio includes emergency communications for the State EOC, logistics, WebEOC incident software, and the management of mutual aid responses for WA State EMD using International, Interstate, and Intrastate mutual aid compacts for emergency response.
Kirk Holmes is the Director of Public Works in the Emergency Management Division at Perteet. He is the co-chair of the Emergency Management Council and Past-president of the Washington Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA-Wa). He leads the annual Emergency Management for Public Works Professionals workshop hosted by the Northwest Public Works Institute.
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).
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Acquisition Coffee Chats
2025-10-06 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-03 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-01 15:00 - 16:00
Join us for a monthly virtual coffee chat focused on acquisition strategy, best practices, and shared challenges. Open to anyone interested in learning, connecting, and exchanging ideas in an informal setting.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83375229918

FbD New Applicant Webinar
2025-11-05 15:00 - 16:00
The Floodplains by Design 2027-2029 grant round is open! If you’re new to the program, this webinar is your starting point. We’ll walk through the application process, timelines, and tips for putting together a strong proposal.
Register here: https://waecy-wa-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/YQ5TrlyPQSWG9bkhBlqPgw#/registration

FbD Returning Applicant Webinar
2025-11-06 10:00 - 11:00
If you’ve applied to or received an FbD grant before, this session is for you. We’ll cover key updates for the 2027-2029 round, answer questions, and share insights to help you strengthen your next proposal.
Register here: https://waecy-wa-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/n-i_AQGYSqen9m63aNwo7w#/registration

If You Are in the Floodplain, You Are in the River - A Conversation with DR Michel
2025-11-06 12:00 - 13:00
Please join the Floodplains by Design community in conversation with DR Michel to reflect upon work accomplished, work to come, and “working for the benefit of all.” Most recently serving as the Executive Director of the Upper Columbia United Tribes, DR is a remarkable leader and a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. DR led UCUT through significant expansion in service to member tribes, including their long term Upper Columbia fish passage strategy, the Upper Columbia River Basin Toxics Reduction (CRTRLE) Project, wildlife reintroduction efforts and more.
John Sirois of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation will emcee the conversation, engaging DR and others in reflections upon learning, leadership and appreciation.
Speaker Bios
DR Michel
A member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, DR has over 36 years of experience in forestry and natural resource management, as well as the technical and policy aspects of working for tribes. He served eight years on the Colville Business Council as both the Vice Chair and the Chair of the Natural Resource Committee.
Watch DR Michel’s introduction at Field and Flow, Floodplains by Design’s biannual convening.
John Sirois
John served over 20 years in the Colville Tribes’ government as an elected representative and in departments that focused on tribal lands, cultural preservation and revitalization, economic development, renewable energy project development, policy development, governance. Mr. Sirois promotes and educates about the rights of sovereign Indigenous Peoples and Nations to ensure that those rights are fully respected.
Watch “For the Fish,” a conversation panel at Field and Flow with John Sirois about the Intertribal project to restore salmon in the Upper Columbia.
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), Austin Bernales, (abernales@b-e-f.org) or Matt Gerlach, (mger461@ecy.wa.gov).
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Passcode: [REDACTED]

FbD Steering Group Meeting
2025-11-13 13:00 - 15:00
Meeting Agenda
1:00-1:10PM – Welcome and Introductions (Spencer Easton, SCJ Alliance)
1:10-1:20PM – FbD Program 2027-2029 Grant Round Improvement Highlights (Mary Huff, Ecology)
1:20-2:50PM – Integrated Floodplain Management (IFM) funding need, messaging, and information sharing opportunities (Kas Guillozet, BEF – NGO Backbone)
2:50-3:00PM – Closure and Next Steps
For the comprehensive meeting packet and notes from the previous steering group meeting, please reference the attached documents.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5653221882?omn=81018336276
Passcode: [REDACTED]
FbD Vision
We envision a future in which partnerships, policies and practice collectively encourage integrated management of Washington’s floodplains, leading to strong community relationships, healthy salmon runs, vibrant agriculture and infrastructure out of harm’s way.
Individuals in the Steering Group bring their expertise to the table to understand, link, and support the broader needs across the State of Washington necessary to achieve the vision above. In doing so, their needs are also met.

Rewetting Our Waterways: Floodplain Restoration in an Occupied Landscape
2025-11-18 09:00 - 15:30
Register for the November, 18 2025 Workshop
Rewetting Our Waterways: Floodplain Restoration In An Occupied Landscape –
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_L8oTzHGdS2-vfVOb5TknuQ#/registration
It is part of a cross-boundary workshop series called the Knowledge Exchange Series with the Pacific Salmon Foundation. The Knowledge Exchange Workshop Series is co-presented by Fisheries & Oceans Canada (DFO), the Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF), and Washington Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office (GSRO).
DFO, PSF, and GSRO are pleased to provide an opportunity to share knowledge on some of the latest restoration practices and research from researchers, scientists, and field professionals working in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Learn more about the series: https://psf.ca/knowledge-exchange-workshop-series/

FbD Funding & Policy Action Group Winter Meeting
2025-12-03 13:00 - 15:00
The Floodplains by Design (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.
December 3, Meeting Agenda:
View the full meeting packet and agenda at this link or find it attached.
1.
Welcome and Networking
2.
State Policy/Issues – Upcoming Legislative Session
3.
State Research
4.
Federal Policy
5.
Exploring New Synergies Across Washington Public Works Systems
6.
Flood Hub & Map Resource on Washington Development Regulations and Local Contacts
7.
HSIL Floodplains and Estuaries Implementation Strategy (IS) Updates
8.
27-29 FbD Grant Round Pre-application Period Open
9.
Closure, 2026 Meetings and How to Sign Up for FbD Offerings
Join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5653221882?omn=82758211823
Passcode: [REDACTED]

2025 Project Construction Roundup - FbD Lunch & Learn Series
2025-12-04 12:00 - 13:00
Join Floodplains by Design for the final lunch and learn of 2025 where panelists will talk through project construction milestones for the year. This session highlights progress, celebrates the teams behind the work, and provides an inspiring snapshot of project construction throughout Washington State.
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), Austin Bernales, (abernales@b-e-f.org) or Matt Gerlach, (mger461@ecy.wa.gov).
Updated:
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84542310435
Passcode: [REDACTED]
