FEMA Asked to Review San Anselmo Bridge Removal Project Designed to Reduce Flood Risk

For Immediate Release –

Ross Valley, CA –

Project could remove 20 properties from floodplain and reduce risk for hundreds more

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is being asked to review and comment on the impact of the proposed removal of a bridge located in downtown San Anselmo.

The bridge platform, known as Building Bridge 2 (BB2), obstructs the natural flow of the creek, contributing to a significant flood risk for hundreds of properties in downtown San Anselmo and the Town of Ross.

The Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District has been planning for the removal of BB2 for the past few years and the current request of FEMA, called a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR), is a regulatory requirement to determine any needed changes in flood hazard boundaries or flood insurance requirements.

FEMA’s review of the CLOMR is not an approval of the project, noted Christopher Blunk, interim director of Public Works for the County of Marin. The review will compare the existing conditions and those after the proposed removal of BB2.

“Our highly technical application for review by FEMA explains the scientific and hydrologic modeling used to assess the impact of the bridge removal on properties and structures. FEMA’s response, expected later this year, will determine if the project can proceed as proposed,” Blunk said.

Marin County District 2 Supervisor Brian Colbert commented that, “The filing of the CLOMR for the removal of Building Bridge 2 marks a critical step in the County’s ongoing work with FEMA to address flooding in the Ross Valley. This application allows FEMA to begin its review and will provide the community with greater clarity regarding the project’s status. I look forward to receiving valuable input from the Town of San Anselmo, the Town of Ross, and all other interested community members as we move through this process together.”

There are hundreds of properties that are expected to benefit from reduced flood risk with the removal of BB2, 20 of which would be removed entirely from the FEMA floodplain, a significant benefit. Downstream of the BB2 site, more flood water staying within San Anselmo Creek would result in a modeled rise in flood elevation associated with a 100-year storm event. The District’s modeling identifies 58 properties along San Anselmo Creek, downstream of BB2, that are expected to experience a rise if BB2 were removed. Of those, nine are proposed to receive some level of flood mitigation before BB2 can be removed.

FEMA’s review process and response are expected to take approximately six months, but that timeline can vary, Blunk said. The application to FEMA is expected to be submitted later in July. Affected property owners are currently being notified in writing.

During the coming months, the District will conduct public outreach efforts to better help everyone in the community understand how the CLOMR application was developed and provide additional information. The District anticipates presenting this background to the towns of San Anselmo and Ross, as well, among other opportunities for public input.

Colbert added, “As FEMA reviews the application, we’ll be working at the County level to answer the hard questions—both one-on-one and in community settings. And to be clear: this is just an application for review, not approval to begin construction. We remain committed to transparency, moving forward carefully, and keeping the community engaged as the process unfolds.”

Once submitted, the District will post the CLOMR application on the District’s project website.