AWARDS
Previous IAFSM Awards
2013 IAFSM Awards
~IAFSM Awards Committee: David Schein, Ron Davis, Stu Richter, Scott Cofoid, Brian Eber, Paul Osman
Outstanding floodplain managers and exemplary programs were presented with IAFSM awards at 2013
conference in Normal. This year, the following awards were presented:
Floodplain Manager of the Year Award: Lake County Stormwater Management Commission
This award recognizes outstanding individual efforts and
contributions at the local level. The award honors an
individual responsible for the development of a
distinguished local program or activity, or someone who
struggles to implement flood hazard reduction at the local
level in the absence of sophisticated programs and
support.
Lake County Stormwater Management Commission
(SMC) was awarded the 2013 IAFSM Floodplain Manager
of the Year Award. The Lake County SMC has revised
and updated its existing Watershed Development
Ordinance to comply with changes in the development and
regulatory landscapes. Federal and state mandates now
encourage a Watershed based approach in ordinances for
floodplain management. During the Watershed
Development Ordinance Update, every effort was made to
encourage the participation of stakeholders and members
of the general public. This was done through the website,
survey, newsletters, the brochure, workshops and meetings. Over 70 meetings during a 5 year period were held
with over 100 participants to discuss and develop an ordinance that will be referenced on a National basis. The
Ordinance, combined with the Technical Reference Manual and on-going coordination efforts, demonstrates
SMC’s hard work to articulate in words their vision for a smart sustainable watershed development strategy for
Lake County. Approval of a new Floodplain Ordinance is a multi-agency process that involved Public,
Municipal, State and Federal support.
Outstanding Service Award: Sarah Harbaugh
Awarded to an IAFSM officer, a Federal, State, or Local Official, or a
consultant who has gone above and beyond normal expectations and
duties to promote or encourage IAFSM goals. This award may also be
given to an agency that has inspired floodplain management efforts or
implemented unique programs that encourage flood reduction.
In 2007, Mary Lu Wetmore, who had served as IASFM’s Executive
Secretary from the association’s beginning, announced she was moving
to the West coast. With some long distance guidance from the
Wetmores and the assistance of our Board members, we prepared a job
description and began our search for a new Executive Secretary. Sarah
Harbaugh applied for the position. The Board relied on the
recommendation of Mike Cothard, who knew Sarah and felt that she
was a person who could take over for Mary Lu. Sarah, of course, didn’t
know what she was getting herself into. When Mary Lu’s boxes of
IAFSM information started to arrive, Sarah looked stunned. The board
held its breath. We found that we could not have gotten anyone more
capable. She took over the job like the proverbial dog took to water,
and began making it her own. We soon found, at her first IAFSM Conference, that Sarah was very resourceful. Since that first conference, Sarah has gone on to perform miracles,
such as on-line registration, and has seen to it that all IAFSM activities go well. IAFSM is proud to present the
“Outstanding Service Award” to our own Sarah Harbaugh.
Stormwater Management Award: DuPage County Stormwater Management
Awarded to a floodplain manager, an individual, a group
of individuals, a consultant, or an agency who improved
stormwater management or reduced urban flood risks
through creative engineering, regulatory measures, or
other approaches. The award can also be considered for
someone who struggles to implement flood hazard
reduction at the local level in the absence of sophisticated
programs and support.
DuPage County Stormwater Management was awarded
the 2013 IAFSM Stormwater Management of the Year
Award. DuPage County has revised and updated its
existing countywide Stormwater Ordinance to bring it up-to-date and to comply with changes in the development
and regulatory landscapes. Federal and state mandates
now require stormwater for redevelopment sites, which
did not readily fit into the County’s previous ordinance
structure. During the Stormwater Ordinance update process, every effort was made to encourage the
participation of stakeholders and members of the general public. This was done through a website blog, survey,
newsletters, brochure, and meetings. Development of the National Ordinance Review Technical Memorandum
demonstrates the County’s effort to familiarize itself with programs that are at the forefront of sustainable and
environmentally sensitive stormwater management elsewhere in the country, and incorporate appropriate
national practices into the update of the Ordinance.
Mitigation Award: City of Champaign
This award is given to an individual or community that
has encouraged flood hazard reduction through a
buyout program, retrofitting, preparation of a
mitigation plan, or other similar mitigation efforts.
This year’s mitigation award recognizes a type of
project that is under-recognized by the committee.
Typically the award goes toward a non-structural
project, but this year the award is presented to the City
of Champaign in recognition of the structural flood
control measures constructed on Boneyard Creek on the
campus of the University of Illinois in Urbana
Champaign. The project was constructed in two phases
that cost $25 million and $18 million, largely selffunded
by the City in recognition of the importance of
flood mitigation. The results were a solution that
controls flooding in the Campus Town area, beautified
the city, and provided recreational opportunities. Many
of the attendees at this year’s conference took a field
trip and received a guided tour of the project site.
Public Education Award: River Action
This award is generally given media outlet that has produced
floodplain or stormwater management special features during
the year. The award can include individuals or agencies who
have contributed to public awareness of floodplain or
stormwater management issues.
The 2013 IAFSM Public Education award was given to River
Action. The organization shows passion, dedication,
commitment, and, most importantly community admiration.
Everyone in the Quad Cities knows about River Action. They
are everywhere. Their statement sums up what they do: they
Connect People to the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River
could create a natural barrier between the communities of Rock
Island, Moline, Davenport and Bettendorf, but River Action has
taken that natural barrier and turned it into a binding and
unifying force. The river is a unique natural resource that ties
all these communities together. They recognized that living
with the river means accepting floods and learning to live with
floods. River Action has connected the region to the river and
worked to make “living with the river” and reducing flood
losses a reality.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Patrick J. Glithero
This award is the IAFSM’s highest honor. It is
reserved for outstanding longtime floodplain
managers. These individuals’ long-term
contributions have made a noticeable impact on
floodplain and stormwater management efforts in
the State of Illinois. This award is not always
given on a yearly basis.
This year, IAFSM was proud to present the
Lifetime Achievement Award to Patrick J.
Glithero. Pat has a long history of floodplain
management in Illinois. He started his career as a
local official in Illinois and Indiana. He joined
FEMA and oversaw the 1993 flood recovery
mitigation process, and went on to hold a number
of other positions in FEMA until his current
position leading FEMA’s mitigation division.
Although quiet and humble, Pat’s work, influence
and professionalism have helped form the
respected flood loss status Illinois enjoys today.
Under Pat’s guidance following the Mississippi
River flood of 1993, hazard floodplain mitigation
made many strides--all uphill (no pun intended)
away from the river. Pat and the entire mitigation
team turned local officials into "born-again" mitigators, and his team’s efforts to "clear the floodplain" earned
the respect of the Governor's office and legislators. Pat’s commitment to flood mitigation, his accomplishments
following the Flood of 1993, and his long-standing partnership with the State of Illinois and Illinois
communities have earned him this award.
