The Seaside City Council agreed to pursue a model ordinance for regulating flood plain development during a meeting Nov. 25.

The agreement comes after the Federal Emergency Management Agency informed local jurisdictions that they would be required to commit to new preimplementation compliance measures by Dec. 1.

FEMA has been working to bring the National Flood Insurance Program into compliance with the federal Endangered Species Act.

The agency has required cities to either adopt a model ordinance that considers impacts to species and habitat, conduct a habitat assessment and mitigation plan for development on a permit-by-permit basis, or prohibit development in flood plain areas.

The new federal plan isn’t expected to be implemented until 2027.

Local government leaders on the North Coast have been critical of the process and have warned residents and businesses about potential impacts.

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners has committed $25,000 to the Oregonians for Floodplain Protection litigation fund.