Do No Harm: Licking County’s Proactive Approach to Floodplain Management Amid Rapid Growth

Background

Licking County, located adjacent to Columbus, Ohio, is a primarily rural area experiencing rapid suburbanization, especially following the construction of a new four-lane divided highway. Initially, in the 1980s, the county adopted only the minimal requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) under pressure, without enthusiasm. Over the next decade, the county saw a dramatic increase in subdivision proposals, often from non-local developers, and experienced multiple small-scale stormwater flood events.

The Problem

The rapid pace of suburban development, combined with inadequate floodplain regulations, led to worsening downstream flooding and growing public dissatisfaction. The initial FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) were outdated and limited in scope, providing insufficient guidance for managing the new flood risks associated with accelerated development. Community members, especially residents of newer developments, began voicing concerns over the increasing hazard risks.

The Strategy

In the mid-1990s, the county revised its subdivision and stormwater regulations with a guiding principle of “No Adverse Impact,” even before the term gained popularity. Key strategies included:

• Mandating site-specific flood studies for all streams on proposed development sites.

• Requiring engineering analyses to consider future conditions based on full zoning buildout.

• Codifying a series of proactive flood mitigation standards, such as:

  • Elevated roadways in subdivisions.

  • Prohibition of development in the 100-year floodplain.

  • Mandatory stream bank buffers and natural preservation of flood-prone areas.

  • Permanent flood markers on lots.

  • Restrictions on dredging or excavation without technical certification.

• Allowing limited development on existing lots with strict requirements like compensatory storage and additional freeboard.

• Joining the Community Rating System (CRS) and achieving a Class 7 rating to lower flood insurance premiums.

Lesson Learned

• Local governments can take proactive steps beyond federal minimums to protect their communities, even in politically conservative settings.

• A "do no harm" approach to floodplain development is not only feasible but can gain broad public and political support when framed around long-term community safety.

• Accurate and localized flood data are crucial in informing land use decisions and regulations.

• Encouraging transparency and community involvement in planning decisions fosters public buy-in and helps overcome resistance.

• Proactive flood management policies can create long-term economic benefits, such as lower insurance rates and safer developments, while reinforcing the credibility of local planning bodies.