jefferson river Floodplain Mitigation Project
“Reader’s Digest Version”
The City of Three Forks submitted funding applications to FEMA in January 2022 for the purposes of funding a flood mitigation project to reduce flood risk from the Jefferson River. The proposed mitigation is a grass-lined conveyance channel and culvert crossing improvement project that will intercept flood waters west of town and divert them back to the Jefferson River before ever reaching the city.
The conveyance channel would be approximately 8,000 lineal feet. Channel dimensions are anticipated to be 100-feet wide, 5-feet deep, with 3:1 side slopes. The project will include a culvert crossing structure to carry water underneath MT state highway 2 before terminating into a natural side channel of the Jefferson River. The project cost is estimated at $5.5 million.
The City learned that FEMA has selected Three Forks for final review of a Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant at 75% of the total project cost.
We must now work on funding the remaining 25% through a Special Improvement District (SID). The SID represents an area in which landowners would be assessed to fund improvements that benefit the district, and the maintenance thereof. Landowners have the opportunity to protest the creation of this district during an upcoming protest period.
protest period
Now that the resolution of intent has been approved, a Notice of Intent to create the District must be sent to each property owner within the proposed boundaries. This notice was printed and mailed Tuesday, October 4, 2022. Written protests were accepted through October 21, 2022, at 5PM. Protests were required to have been in writing, identify the property owned by the protestor, and be signed by all owners of the property to be qualified.
Zero protests were recieved!
Click the links below to view exhibits to the resolution.
Side by side comparison of the newly proposed Jefferson River Floodplain maps per FEMA, and what the Jefferson River Floodplain would look like after the mitigation channel is constructed. Please note this does not include the Madison River Floodplain overlay.
fall 2023 update
We are still actively working behind the scenes on this mitigation project. Our team has submitted the cultural, biological, and historic preservation assessments to FEMA Region 8 to review. Fish, Wildlife & Parks is also in process of reviewing data.
The Team met with FEMA Region 8 and State Disaster & Emergency Services in early August 2023, and will meet again late August 2023 to tour the site once more. Property Owners affected by the channel are being kept in the loop at all times.
November Tax Bill
Just a reminder that you will see your first Special Improvement District (SID) #34 for the Jefferson River Floodplain Mitigation Channel on your taxes this November 2023. The Assessment sent to the Gallatin County Treasurer is $195.00/year, or a total payoff of $3,900.00.