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W. Louis Sidell, Jr., CFM

Lou is a nationally Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM).
He is the leading expert on floodplain management in Maine, as well as a passionate advocate for improved floodplain management. His impressive credentials are documented on the ABOUT page.

Photo by Brigitte Ndikum-Nyada

Abovebfe.com has two main purposes. First, Lou is now available for Floodplain Management Consulting. And second, he has provided a source of valuable information on this topic on the INFO and LINKS page.

Who needs this expertise??

Architects
Appraisers
Developers
Lawyers
Lenders
Insurance Agents
Professional Land Surveyors
Professional Engineers
Realtors
Corporations
Communities
Individuals

Floodplain Management includes:

Mitigation Planning
Flood Studies
Flood Hazard Mitigation
Flood Hazard Related Permitting
Flood Hazard Mapping Corrections
Workshops on every facet of Floodplain Management
Networking with the Appropriate People
... and more (see SERVICES)

Lou works in collaboration with NORTHSTAR HYDRO when the needs demand a Professional Engineer or Certified Geologist and with Heart of Maine Surveying when a Professional Land Surveyor is required.

During his career in local, state and national organizations, Lou has developed a strong network of contacts throughout the regulatory and professional staff in New England and the nation.

Lou on a Community Assistance Visit in Camden in November of 2007.
Photo by Ivy Frances of FEMA Region I.

CONTACT LOU SIDELL

FEMA provided Reference Marks (RM) in the community Flood Insurance Studies done before 2000. After FEMA suppled the RM's, it becomes the community's responsibility to maintain them. The mark shown in the picture to the left is a PK nail in the base of a utility pole.

Along their rivers In New England, many communities have former mill buildings that are undergoing changes in use and substantial improvements. When these events occur it is imperative that proper mitigation activities are incorporated into the plans to protect the investments from future flooding. Shown is the former Hathaway Shirt Factory and a hydro facility on the Kennebec River in Waterville, ME.