Lexington Neighborhood Appeals Congaree Floodplain Decision

Columbia, SC -Local residents concerned about potential Congaree River flooding are filing an appeal today of a judge's ruling throwing out a 2001 floodmap. The map, published after years of study by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, was voided in November by United States Judge Margaret Seymour, who found that FEMA failed to provide proper public notice during the mapping process.

The appeal is being filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of the Riverland Park Neighborhood Association and conservationists. The groups contend that FEMA gave sufficient notice throughout the mapping process.

"Significant taxpayer resources were expended over several years to produce the 2001 map," said SELC attorney Blan Holman. "And that map accurately represents Congaree flood hazards."

FEMA's 2001 map shows extensive areas in Richland County as "regulatory floodway," a designation that limits new development. Included in the floodway are thousands of acres where the "Green Diamond" project is proposed behind a new system of levees. The developer brought suit against FEMA because the agency's 2001 map prevents levee construction.

Residents across the river in Cayce's Riverland Park neighborhood are concerned that new levees would cast significantly more water on them during a 100-year flood. FEMA informed the City of Cayce in early 2001 that blocking water flow in Richland County would cause flood elevations to rise in Lexington County by more than one foot and would "impact existing structures including residential homes and the wastewater treatment plant in Lexington County."

Riverland Park is expected to experience flooding even if no new levees are built. For that reason, Riverland Park resident Chris Kueny said, the neighborhood opposes new levees. "Adding new levees would be throwing grease on the fire. My neighbors and I deserve more protection." he said.