Planned Maintenance — August 8-9, 2026

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We appreciate your patience. If you need to register for a course or have questions, please contact us at info@nwetc.org or 425-270-3274.

Course Description

Course ID:

HYD-305

Category:

Water

Continuing Education Units:

1.30CEUs

Description:

This training course will present the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) practitioner with basic concepts in flood management and damage prevention terminology and protocols from a local regulator perspective.

Major discussion topics include: an historic perspective of the NFIP, roles and responsibilities, cooperative agreements, basic terminology, requirements local floodplain management, regulatory standards, and administrative priorities.

Flood damage mitigation techniques of elevation, relocation or removal will be discussed.

Practical graphic illustrations and procedural flow charts, as well as sample documents are part of the presentation. Each attendee may keep the handout for future reference.

Reduced tuition is available for Native American tribes, government employees, nonprofits, students and AFS, NAEP, NEBC, NWAEP members. You may register online or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at 425-270-3274.

Please wait to receive a course confirmation email, roughly one month prior to the class, before making any travel arrangements.

Attendees will receive a course manual containing workshop proceedings and reference material.

Intended Audience:

This workshop is designed to serve both as an introduction for those individuals who are not familiar with the NFIP and Flood Insurance Rate maps and as a refresher for more experienced professionals. The course is beneficial for state and local agency staff and decision makers, attorneys, consultants, as well as members of environmental organizations and interested citizens who are concerned about flooding and how to best address its root causes.

Once your order has been placed, you are subject to our cancellation policy regardless of the status of your invoice.

31 days prior to training -> 100% refund
30-16 days prior to training -> 50% refund
15 - start of course -> No refund available

Attendee replacement acceptable at anytime.

Course registration fees and cancellation policy are subject to change without notice.

More Information

Course Topics

Basic Concepts of Floodplain Management

Types of Flooding and Floodplains
Floodplain Development
Floodplain Management

National Floodplain Insurance Program (NFIP)

Historical Background
Aspects of the NFIP
Roles and Responsibilities of Government Agencies
Cooperative Agreement

Flood Insurance Studies (FIS)

Basic Terminology
FIS Components
Coastal Zone Storm Surge Studies
Shallow Flooding Studies
Approximate Studies
General NFIP Flood Map Features

Requirements of Floodplain Management
Regulations

Maps and Data
Permit Requirements
Elevation Certificate
Encroachments
New Development in Riverine Special Flood Hazard Areas
New Development in Coastal Special Flood Hazard Areas
Additional Regulations

Additional Regulatory Measures

The "Takings" Issue
Basic Regulatory Standards
Higher Regulatory Standards
Flood Hazards of Special Concern
Other Environmental Protection Measures

Ordinance Administration

Authority and Types of Ordinances
Floodplain Administrator
Floodplain Development Permits
Elevation Certificate
"No-Rise" or "No Impact" Analysis
Enforcement
Appeals, Special Uses and Variances
Record Keeping

Substantial Improvements/Substantial Damage

Affected Projects
Formula to Determine Limit
Cost of Repair/Cost of Compliance
Exceptions

Development Examples

Pre-FIRM (Existing) Development
Substantial Repair/Improvement to Existing Development
New Development
Commercial/Industrial/Institutional

What to Bring

Pen or pencil, coffee mug, and a water bottle (to reduce waste). Please wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the prevailing weather. Coffee, tea and light snacks will be provided. We will be on our own for lunch.

Billing Information

In order to guarantee a space in a course, the tuition must be paid in full TWO WEEKS before the first day of the course by either check or credit card. State and government agencies paying with a purchase order are allowed payment under the two-week time frame if a copy of the purchase order is received by NWETC.

If You Need to Cancel

Cancellations*

With 31 or more days notice, we will offer a 100% refund or credit towards a future course. The credit is good for one year and may be applied to any course.
With 30-8 days notice, we will offer a course credit towards a future course. The credit is good for one year and may be applied to any course.
With fewer than 8 days notice, there is no course credit available

*Please note that attendee replacement is welcome at any time