The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (NeDNR) hosts at least one free training per month (usually on the 3rd Thursday based upon staff availability) focusing on one of a great variety of floodplain management topics. These training opportunities are virtual, allowing you to join in from your home/office, without the hassle and expense of travel. Some of the most popular may be offered twice a year.
NeDNR will still provide two in-person workshops each year, the locations will vary by year.
Please sign up to receive training, workshop, updates, and other floodplain management notifications from NeDNR Floodplain Division using the link at the bottom of this page.
If you have specific training needs, please contact Chuck Chase at chuck.chase@nebraska.gov or Adele Phillips at adele.phillips@nebraska.gov.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Getting Started with CRS
Thursday, October 28, 2021 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT
Flyer: 
Getting Started with Community Rating System (CRS)
Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Flood insurance premiums are discounted in CRS communities to reflect that reduced flood risk.
Join Todd Tucker with FEMA Region VII, Adele Phillips with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and Melissa Mitchell with the Insurance Services Office (ISO) for an informative 1 hour virtual class on the fundamentals of the CRS program for floodplain administration. This free course is suitable for both novice and seasoned floodplain administrators.
Participation is limited 75 attendees, and priority will be given to floodplain administrators. Please register in advance: Registration Link
Basic Floodplain Management
Thursday, November 18, 2021 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM CST
Join NeDNR's Chuck Chase, CFM and Elijah Kaufman, CFM for an informative 4 hour virtual class on the fundamentals of floodplain management. This free class is suitable for both novice and seasoned floodplain administrators, as well as any local community members responsible for local floodplain administration. The course is approved for 3 CFM continuing education credits. Class will break from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM for lunch. The class will cover the following topics, and more: Floodplain development permits and the permitting process, map reading, LOMAs and LOMR-F's, and substantial damage.
Registration information TBA
Future Proposed Training Topics
December 2021: The "Other" Permits required for the Floodplain Development Permit
January 2022: Substantial Damage
February 2022: Agricultural and Accessory Structures
March 2022: Interactive Maps
April 2022: Letters of Map Change (LOMC) and Letters of Map Revision based on Fill (LOMR-F)
May 2022: Basic Floodplain Management
Recently Recorded Classes
These and other floodplain management videos can be found on NeDNR’s YouTube page. You may also click on each of the following class titles to access the video recording of the training.
Mitigation Concepts and Funding
On July 15, 2021 NeDNR’s Adele Phillips, CFM, and NEMA’s Lexy Hindt presented an informative 1-hour virtual class on mitigation measures and funding opportunities available. The class was suitable for both novice and seasoned floodplain administrators, as well as mitigation project stakeholders. The class covered the following topics: mitigation principles, types of mitigation activities, partnership opportunities, mitigation planning, and FEMA funds available: HMGP, BRIC, and FMA. MitigationPresentationSlides
Easy as 1-2-3: How and Why to Update Your Floodplain Ordinance
On June 17, 2021 Chuck Chase, CFM, with NeDNR and Christy Abraham with the League of Nebraska Municipalities presented an informative 1.5-hour virtual class detailing the benefits of adopting an updated floodplain ordinance. This class was suitable for both novice and seasoned floodplain administrators, as well as any local community members responsible for local floodplain administration. The class covered the following topics: why the antique floodplain ordinance needs to be updated, making the floodplain ordinance more practical, what needs to be in the floodplain ordinance, and the ordinance adoption process, and more! EasyAs123PresentationSlides
Before and After Disaster Strikes: Substantial Damage 101 - Part 1 and Part 2
On March 18, 2021, NeDNR's Chuck Chase, CFM, and Adele Phillips, CFM, presented an informative 2-hour virtual class on what to do before and after a disaster strikes in your Special Flood Hazard Area. This class was suitable for both novice and seasoned floodplain administrators, as well as any community members responsible for local floodplain administration. The class covered the following topics: pre-disaster preparation actions and planning, informing the public, what to do when a building is damaged, permitting requirements and substantial damage, and more! SubstantialDamagePresentationSlides
Enforcing Your Floodplain Ordinance
On January 21, 2021 NeDNR staff presented an informative 1-hour virtual class on the fundamentals of enforcing floodplain management regulations. This class was suitable for both novice and seasoned floodplain administrators. The class addressed the following topics: collecting evidence of violations, strategies for achieving compliance without legal action, legal tools for enforcing the floodplain ordinance, and enforcement process recommendations. EnforcingYourOrdinancePresentationSlides
Floodplain Development Permitting with Confidence
On December 17, 2020 NeDNR staff presented an informative 1-hour virtual class on the fundamentals of permitting for floodplain management. This class was suitable for both novice and seasoned floodplain administrators, as well as any community members that review floodplain development permit applications. The class addressed the following topics: NeDNR’s Model Floodplain Development Permit Application, NeDNR’s Floodplain Interactive Map, and when Elevation Certificates are required. PermittingWithConfidencePresentationSlides
Other Training and Workshop Resources
- The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) offers many in-person and online trainings including the Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) certification program.
- The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) offers training designed for emergency management and disaster services team members.
- The Kansas Department of Agriculture Floodplain Division offers many floodplain management training opportunities.
- FEMA offers multiple training programs including:
- Information regarding other trainings/workshops can be found here.
