By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

An old saying claims you can’t fight city hall, but Tex Haeuser, South Portland’s planning director, claims you can.

Speaking Feb. 18 to Willard Neighborhood Association members, Haeuser said South Portland and Portland have together won a temporary victory over the Federal Emergency Management Agency regarding flood plain maps.

“We’ve challenged them. They’ve backed off,” he told an audience at the Betsy Ross House.

Haeuser’s presentation focused on new FEMA regulations that affect local flood plain designations. He said FEMA’s new digital maps last year designated the coastline from Willard Beach to Bug Light a Velocity Zone (V Zone) in a flood-hazard area. V Zones are defined as areas that have a 1 percent chance of flooding each year, Haeuser said.

Under these new regulations, Portland’s central waterfront on the Fore River would be designated a V Zone. Portland business owners and residents in that area have filed only $40,000 to $50,000 worth of flood insurance claims through FEMA, Haeuser said.

He said new maps would hurt the local economy because they would prevent businesses from building or rebuilding in the V Zone. Residents living in that area also would have to pay much higher rates for flood insurance.

“We’re not in a flood plain. We have flood insurance. It’s a separate policy from your homeowner’s policy and it costs less money if you’re not in a flood zone,” said South Portland resident Devon Gray.

After unveiling these new maps, FEMA gave both cities 90 days to appeal its decision. The Portland-South Portland appeal was temporarily approved pending further study. The two cities have hired geologist Robert Gerber to challenge FEMA’s data.

Haeuser said he is confident in Gerber’s ability to permanently turn the tide in favor of Portland and South Portland. 

“(FEMA) spent a lot of money hiring national engineering firms. I think our local guy is doing better,” Haeuser said. 

“We’re going to submit this Gerber report. We think it will be effective and we think FEMA will change their maps,” he said.

Haeuser said it will cost South Portland about $4,000 to appeal FEMA’s decision. South Portland’s cost is relatively low because it is splitting expenses with Portland, said City Councilor Maxine Beecher, who was in the audience.

Rep. Terry Morrison (D-South Portland) said he was impressed by Haeuser’s efforts to defeat FEMA’s plan.

“Tex is working hard in South Portland to protect us and I appreciate it,” Morrison said.

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237 or news@inthesentry.com.