Guidance Document: Floodplain Development Permitting for Process-Based Restoration in Colorado
Post-assisted log structures built by hand crews (Evan Barrientos Photography).
Engineered log structures built using heavy machinery (Cory Dick).
About the Guide
In recent years, more focus has shifted to the use of Process-Based Restoration (PBR) techniques to enhance river corridors and return the landscape to more naturally functioning ecosystems. With this shift in priorities, it has become apparent there is a need to address barriers to implementation of PBR. Standardized guidance to navigate the permitting and planning processes involved in PBR is needed to help usher more PBR projects into the environment so rivers may return to their functional work of protecting the water resources and ecological value that we cherish and enjoy through many different facets of our lives. This guidance document is designed to meet that need and assist stakeholders in understanding the permitting and compliance requirements necessary to implement PBR projects in a variety of river systems.
Guidance provided in this document is divided into four categories shown in the table to the right. The intent is to cover the most common scenarios where mapped floodplains overlap with PBR, focusing on projects located in FEMA Zone A and AE, and those constructed using hand crew and heavy machinery.