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October 19th, 2010

Skagit County Appoints Floodplain Manager

SKAGIT COUNTY - On October 12, 2010, Skagit County Planning and Development Services Director Gary Christensen announced the designation of Tim DeVries, Skagit County Building Official, as the Skagit County Floodplain Manager. DeVries will be responsible for assuring compliance with the requirements of Skagit County Code 14.34, Flood Damage Prevention. The Skagit County Board of Commissioners confirmed the designation.
"One of the challenges facing Skagit County, today and in the future, is that floodplain management is not centrally supervised," said Christensen. "With an ever-growing amount of regulation and involvement by federal and state agencies, a floodplain manager is crucial."

DeVries will be responsible for knowing the regulations that apply to the 189 square miles of floodplain in Skagit County - the second largest floodplain in the Puget Sound area. He will also be responsible for communication between the County and outside agencies.
With an appointed Floodplain Manager, all County departments and outside agencies will also have a central point of contact for review and approval of activities and projects proposed in the floodplain. This will lead to an improved, responsive, and coordinated oversight of floodplain management.
DeVries has over 13 years of experience at the County working on flood issues. He recently attended and completed the Floodplain Management course at the Emergency Management Institute and is pursuing a professional certificate as a floodplain manager through the National Association of State Floodplain Managers.

For more information, contact Skagit County Public Information Officer Emma Whitfield at emmaw@co.skagit.wa.us.