NORWICH – Due to several flooding events, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are considering redrawing flood plain maps for Chenango County. No distinct plan of action has been set. The agencies say a time frame for when the maps will be drawn can not be determined until funding is determined for the 2007 fiscal year.

Agents from the DEC and FEMA have met with key community members to determine where problem areas lie. “We’re going to send letters back to the communities to verify what they told us, and turn their priorities into ours,” said DEC National Flood Insurance Policy Coordinator Bill Nechamen.

Redrawing the flood maps has been proposed for funding in 2007. Nechamen explained funding would not be obtained until late winter or early spring. The process will take 18 months, and next year’s budget is not yet secure.