Tucson lawmaker fights to protect Marana property owners
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today vowed to pursue all possible administrative and, if necessary, legislative solutions to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision regarding levee-like structures in Marana.
Speaking at the Marana Municipal Complex this afternoon, the Tucson lawmaker said it was unacceptable for FEMA to deny the town’s request for 24 months to study the impact of three structures – Interstate 10, Southern Pacific railroad tracks and the Central Arizona Project canal – on flood risk in the town.
"We are not asking for special exemptions," Giffords said. "We are just asking for sufficient time to demonstrate what the actual flood risk is."
As part of an ongoing effort to update flood maps across the country, FEMA is enforcing regulations that require levee-like structures to meet federal certification criteria for actual levees, designed for the sole purpose of diverting flood waters. If a structure cannot be certified, it will be disregarded when the agency issues new flood zone maps. In Marana, this means that large portions of the town could be included in the FEMA floodplain.
As a result, Giffords said, Marana property owners would be forced to purchase costly flood insurance, an affordable housing project would be jeopardized, and home builders would likely rethink their development projects.
"The impact of these erroneous maps is harmful to our economy and area homeowners," Giffords said. "FEMA’s actions are irresponsible and do not consider sound technical analysis of how existing structures currently protect the region."
Although I-10, the railroad tracks and the CAP canal were not designed as levees, "they do divert or restrain floodwaters from damaging property and threatening residents," Giffords said. "The challenge is to make sure that FEMA recognizes the true effect of these structures when it issues its revised flood maps."
Giffords has expressed her concerns in a letter to FEMA Administrator David Paulison and in two conference calls with agency and town officials. Today, the congresswoman said she is working with other members of the Arizona congressional delegation for an administrative solution to the issue. She said she also is exploring the possibility of introducing legislation.
"I want to make it clear to everyone," Giffords said. "I am working with my Arizona colleagues to explore all possible options to resolve this problem."