10/06/2026
City of Heber Springs- Update on Drainage Improvement Project Bond
The City of Heber Springs would like to provide residents with an update on the FEMA-funded drainage improvement project that has been under development to address stormwater concerns in several areas of the city.
In January 2026, FEMA formally released the environmental hold on the project and authorized the City to move forward, subject to obtaining all required permits and approvals. This action represented a significant milestone and reaffirmed FEMA's support for the project.
Since that time, the City and its engineering team have been working through a permitting issue involving portions of the project that extend into the Sulphur Creek floodplain.
Cleburne County is requiring a floodplain development permit before excavation can occur within the floodplain. However, obtaining that permit would require either a "No-Rise Certificate" or FEMA map revisions through a CLOMR/LOMR process. Because the current FEMA floodplain model is based on data that is more than 30 years old and does not accurately reflect current conditions, completing those requirements would be extremely difficult and could significantly delay construction.
To avoid those delays and keep the project moving forward, the City's engineering team has revised the design to eliminate work within the floodplain. The updated plan includes additional stormwater detention and a controlled outlet system near the intersection of Walnut Street and Third Street. While this approach slightly reduces discharge capacity compared to the original design, it allows the project to remain outside the floodplain and removes the need for a floodplain development permit.
The revised engineering and hydraulic study has been submitted to FEMA for review. Because the overall project alignment remains unchanged, the City is hopeful FEMA will determine that an additional Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) review is not necessary.
If FEMA agrees that a new EHP review is not required, the City anticipates finalizing design plans and bidding the entire project as one construction package in early Fall 2026.
If FEMA determines that another EHP review is necessary, that review process could take an additional six to nine months. In that scenario, the City would evaluate moving forward with portions of the project while delaying certain improvements until all approvals are received.
The City remains committed to advancing this important infrastructure project and appreciates the patience of residents as we work through the federal/county permitting and review process. These improvements are designed to strengthen stormwater management, reduce flooding concerns, and improve drainage infrastructure for years to come.
Additional updates will be provided as FEMA completes its review and project milestones are reach.
