The Town of Amherst is in the process of updating its Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS). The Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps have been available for review since June 2019. A 90-Day statutory appeal period began on November 22, 2019 and will end on February 20, 2020. Amherst’s Federal flood maps (FIRM maps) were last updated in 1983. New, better technology for mapping flood prone areas is now available and Town Meeting appropriated funds several years ago to update Amherst’s flood maps.
A consulting firm, AECOM, was hired by the Town and has been working with the Town and with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) to create more accurate mapping of the floodable areas along rivers and streams in Amherst. The maps resulting from this multi-year effort have been available for public review since June 2019. The maps are posted on the town website, please click here to view them.
The maps are also available in paper format for viewing at Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Avenue, in the Department of Conservation and Development.
Public meetings with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and AECOM, the consultant, were held in 2017 and 2019 to discuss the revised flood hazard information, bylaw adoption and other frequently asked questions and concerns. The Preliminary Maps are now in a 90-day statutory appeal period, which will end on February 20, 2020.
Once the appeal period is complete and all appeals have been resolved, the town will enter into a six-month compliance period, during which the maps will be presented to Town Council for approval, along with bylaw amendments associated with FEMA floodplain requirements.
The Town expects the flood mapping project to be concluded by June 2020.
The public is invited to view the maps online or come in to Town Hall to view the maps and contact the Planning Department staff if you have any questions or wish to file an appeal:
Christine Brestrup, Planning Director, 413-259-3145, brestrupc@amherstma.gov or Nate Malloy, Senior Planner, 413-259-3322, malloyn@amherstma.gov