Salisbury Township residents who have property located in a floodplain are being urged to attend the 7 p.m. Dec. 20 Environmental Advisory Council meeting in the Salisbury Township Municipal Building, 2900 S. Pike Ave., Allentown.

At the Dec. 20 meeting, guest speakers Emily Houdeshell, a Pennsylvania state national flood insurance specialist and Salisbury Township Planning and Zoning Officer Kerry Rabold, will discuss regulations pertaining to owning property within a floodplain and the necessity of maintaining flood insurance.

Rabold, Salisbury Township floodplain manager, sent letters to township residents about the meeting.

The letter, a copy of which was provided by a township official to The Press, states, in part:

“You are receiving this invitation because township records indicate that you own property within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) as designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).”

The letter continues:

“These regulations impact all aspects of property ownership including, but not limited to, interior improvements, swimming pools, fences, accessory structures and regrading.

“They also apply whether or not your property is damaged by a flood. Violations of the regulations can invalidate your flood insurance and lack of flood insurance will mean no disaster relief in the event of a flood.”

Rabold said at the meeting she will answer questions, specifically as they apply to the Salisbury Township flood ordinance. The meeting is open to the public.

Registration is not required, but highly recommended and appreciated, Rabold said. She requests prospective attendees RSVP by emailing her at krabold@salisburytownshippa.org or by calling 484-661-5825.

Those responding are asked to include name, property address and number of people expected to attend.

Salisbury Township plans to update its floodplain ordinance.

“The floodplain regulations have been in effect since the 1970s. In a similar way, the stormwater regulations have been in effect for decades,” Salisbury Township Assistant Township Manager, Director, Community Development Sandy Nicolo said in an interview with a reporter for The Press.

“The EPA [United States Environmental Protection Agency] has been leaning on the states to enforce these regulations,” Nicolo continued.

“Kerry [Rabold] attended a course at the FEMA headquarters in Maryland and she learned what is really required of the municipalities to enforce these regulations.

“This would include revisions to the floodplain ordinance,” Nicolo said.

“The most important thing is that people who have properties partially or fully in a floodplain are affected by these regulations.

“The regulations and how it’s enforced directly affects insurance rates for those who have property in a floodplain. The township is subject to inspections and audits by FEMA.

“The ordinance could affect building a shed in a floodplain to interior renovations to a home,” Nicolo said.

Concerning the township floodplain ordinance update, Rabold will research and come up with revisions, which would be presented for review at a township planning commission meeting and then to township commissioners.

Approximately 100 township residents in the vicinity of Trout Creek would be affected by the floodplain ordinance. Other areas possibly affected would be in the proximity of the Little Lehigh, Black River and Cedar Creek.

Of the flood insurance expert who will speak at the EAC meeting, Nicolo said, “We invited her to come and make a presentation to residents who might be affected.

“I would encourage anyone in the township whose property is crossed by a stream to attend this meeting. If anyone is unsure, they can certainly call the office with their concerns,” Nicolo said.

Residents are required to have floodplain insurance if their property is in a floodplain. To determine whether a property is in a floodplain, a resident could look at FEMA maps or contact Rabold. A floodplain certificate can be obtained after a property is surveyed. A property located in a floodplain could affect the refinancing of a house.

“Every permit submitted is checked for a floodplain,” Nicolo said.

A draft ordinance of the new township floodplain ordinance could be presented as soon as spring 2024.

December Salisbury Township municipal meetings in the municipal building include: 7 p.m. Dec. 13, zoning hearing board; 7 p.m. Dec. 14: board of commissioners; 7 p.m. Dec. 20, environmental advisory council; 7 p.m. Dec. 27, planning commission and 7 p.m. Dec. 28, board of commissioners, with the latter meeting expected to be canceled.