Recently, levees in Eldred Borough have been identified as not meeting minimum federal standards. In December of 2016, Eldred received a letter finalizing the mapping of our levee. The Levee was de-certified and was no longer recognized in our flood maps. Now that flood maps are updated, the moderate-risk areas near the levee have been changed to a high-risk designation. In high-risk areas, if you have a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender, you will be required to carry flood insurance once FEMA finalizes their preliminary map.
Eldred Borough has spent tens of thousands of dollars per year in upkeep of our levee. Every year it has been inspected and passed by either the Army Corps of Engineers or DEP Bureau of Waterways Engineering.
To become re-accredited, Eldred Borough must spend at the very least approximately $150,000 to begin studies and analysis. This process does look promising according to our engineers, however FEMA does not guarantee re- accredition even after all the steps are taken.
For more basic information on levees, de-accreditation of a levee and FEMA flood map FAQ's, click here.
In 2016 the Eldred Borough Secretary Lou Ann Hurrle and Borough Council Member Kimberly Weikert began contacting DEP, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the County Planning Commission to find ways to keep our levee accredited.
Eldred applied for a DEP Flood Mitigation Assistance grant in 2016 written by Council member Kimberly Weikert. The application was denied as DEP was not focusing on funding existing flood projects at that time.
In 2017, Kimberly wrote another grant and was approved by DCED (Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development) in the amount of $129,412.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2017
Causer Announces Nearly $650,000 in Flood Mitigation Grants for Three Communities
HARRISBURG – Working to ensure public safety and protect against skyrocketing flood insurance costs, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) announced three flood mitigation grants in the 67th Legislative District.
The grants were approved today by the Commonwealth Financing Authority and were awarded as follows: Coudersport Borough, $300,000; Eldred Borough, $129,412; and Emporium Borough, $220,000.
“First and foremost, it is important to ensure the safety of people within and around these communities in the event of a flood,” Causer said. “It is also important to make sure the levees meet federal standards to protect homeowners, business owners, schools and others from having to purchase costly flood insurance for their properties. These grants are important investments in these communities.”
Each of the three communities is going through a levee certification process to ensure they meet standards set out by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
In the fifth phase of its certification process, Coudersport will use its grant to repair and upgrade a sewer line located at the toe of the Mill Creek Levee. The line must be encased in concrete because of its location.
In Eldred, funds will be used to conduct a study, including subsurface borings to analyze the existing levee and subgrade conditions, as part of its levee system certification process.
Emporium will use its funds to conduct an engineering study of the Sinnemahoning Creek Levee to ensure it meets or exceeds requirements for certification.
Projects authorized by a flood protection authority, the Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, or identified by a local government for flood mitigation are eligible for Flood Mitigation Program grants.
Currently, the borough is working with engineers to begin the required processes to allow for Eldred Borough's levee system to become re-accredited.