Flathead County is embarking on a major revision of its floodplain and floodway management regulations to coincide with new flood insurance rate maps adopted last year.

The county Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed revisions at its April 13 meeting.

In order for the county to continue to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, the state and federal governments require Flathead County to revise its floodplain regulations to better align with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation state model floodplain hazard management regulations.

The revisions will run the gamut, including general provisions, definitions, forms and fees, regulated flood hazard areas, uses allowed without a permit, prohibited uses, permit application requirements, application evaluation, development requirements in the floodway and flood fringe, emergencies, variances, appeals, enforcement and penalties.

“Floodplain regulations are different from any other land-use regulation administered by the [Planning Office] due to the fact that our local regulations are required to meet minimum state and federal requirements,” Planning Director Mark Mussman said in a memorandum to the Planning Board.

The state has enacted regulatory standards that are higher than the minimum federal requirements, Mussman said. Flathead County has the option of adopting even higher regulatory standards, but the county’s draft revisions don’t exceed state standards.

The county’s draft floodplain regulations mirror the state’s model regulations in most cases, he added.

The revisions align with the Flathead County Growth Policy’s goals of restricting development on lands that pose an unreasonable risk to the public health, safety and general welfare of county residents, and preventing the degradation of water quality.

The Planning Board meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, in the second-floor conference room of the Earl Bennett Building, 1035 First Ave. W. in Kalispell.