Floodplain Applications

Prior to doing work within the floodplain or the floodway, removal or damage of vegetation within 25' of the river or riverside of the greenbelt or nature path, or if you are requesting a Flood Insurance Rate Map Letter of Map Change you will need to apply for a floodplain/way application through the City.  Before you build on, alter, re-grade, dredge or fill on your property, check with the City to determine if a permit is needed.  These types of activities can cause harm and flooding to nearby properties if not done correctly.  Additionally, any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition or other improvements to a building that equal or exceed 50% of the building’s value, must comply with the same standards as any new development in the SFHA.  Monitoring the floodplain in Garden City is important not only to structures and development, but also to the enhancement and protection of the River habitat and water quality.  The open space along the floodplain contributes not only to the scenic beauty of the Greenbelt that borders the River, but the floodplain provides protection for wetlands, rookeries and fish habitat.

 

Prior to Submitting and Application

If you have any questions please reach out to floodplain@gardencityidaho.org.

 

Application Submittal

Materials that you wish to be reviewed must be submitted either through the front Development Services Department window at City Hall or to the email address building@gardencityidaho.org.  To formally submit your project, please provide:

  • The completed application
  • Required documentation as noted on the application
  • Associated Fees

 

Review Process & Procedures

Your request will be sent to the applicable Garden City Reviewers.  Any re-submittals need to be sent to building@gardencityidaho.org.  Each review cycle (each time that you submit new information), can take up to 15 working days.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my floodplain designation?

You can find your floodplain designation here: IDWR DFIRMS

Floodplain:

The land in the floodplain within a community subject to a one percent (1%) or greater chance of flooding in any given year. For purposes of these regulations, the term "special flood hazard area" is synonymous in meaning with the phrase "area of special flood hazard."

Floodway:

The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than a designated height.

Tell me more about Access to the River and Work within the River Zone.

The riparian zone is to be left natural. Uses within the riparian zone shall be restricted to those which are required by public necessity (for example, bridges or water pumps), for public recreation (for example, the greenbelt), and wildlife habitat improvements (for example, vegetation, nesting structures); provided that the use/encroachment meets the approval of the federal emergency management agency and national flood insurance program and does not jeopardize the city’s participation in the national flood insurance program.

A.    Improved access to the Boise River shall be prohibited in all areas that are not approved through a conditional use permit with approval of city council or otherwise designated by the city council; and

B.    Approved accesses to the Boise River must be designed in such a way so as to not destabilize the banks of the river.

1. No use of restricted use chemicals or soil sterilants will be allowed within the riparian area.

2. No use of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers will be allowed unless approved by regulatory agencies that have jurisdiction over the Boise River.

3. All applications of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers shall be done by a licensed applicator and applied at minimum application rates and shall be limited to two (2) times a calendar year unless otherwise approved.

4. The application of dormant oil sprays and insecticidal soap within the riparian zone may be used throughout the growing season as needed.

C.    No person shall damage, transplant or remove any tree or plant or injure the bark, or pick the flowers or seeds, of any tree or plant. Nor shall any person attach any rope, wire or other contrivance to any tree or plant. A person shall not dig in or otherwise disturb grass areas, or in any other way injure or impair the riparian zone without an approved permit. Minor pruning above the ordinary high water mark that does not remove, damage or otherwise harm any plant, habitat or cause bank destabilization is allowed without a permit.

D.    A permit may be granted for:

1. Removal of downed trees or trees identified by the city arborist to pose a danger to life, limb or property may be removed.

2. Replacement of nonnative plants with native plants to provide habitat or bank stabilization.

I am submitting a Map Change Request to FEMA, can you please sign it? 

FEMA requires that these requests are done by a licensed land surveyor or engineer and requires City approval first.  In order for the city to review and sign off on this request, the city requests that you submit the required application along with the documentation that you will be submitting to FEMA.

LOMA

A Letter of Map Amendment is the process where FEMA provides an official amendment to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) by letter.  

LOMR

A Letter of Map Revision is FEMA's modification to a FIRM. Letter of Map Revisions are generally based on the implementation of physical measures that affect the hydrologic or hydraulic characteristics of a flooding source and thus result in the modification of the existing regulatory floodway, the effective Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), or the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). 

Letter of Map Change Tutorial

FEMA MT-1 Application Forms and Instructions

FEMA MT-2 Application Forms and Instructions

You must also submit documentation regrading the ESA.  This can be found at the US Fish & Wildlife IPaC website.

 

Additional Information

More information regarding the floodplain can be found here: https://gardencityidaho.org/floodplain

There you can find information regarding:

  • General Floodplain Resources
  • Preparedness for Flooding
  • Flood Insurance
  • How to Protect Against Flooding
  • Riparian Information
  • Garden City Services
  • A link to the Boise River Gage Data at Glenwood Bridge