It was a grueling test, but Barton County Engineer Barry McManaman prevailed.

In September, McManaman passed the national exam making him a certified floodplain manager. Monday morning, the Barton County Commission recognized him for that accomplishment. 

“It was a comprehensive exam,” McManaman said. It took three hours and consisted of 120 questions.

The test was offered at the Kansas Association of Floodplain Managers conference in Mulvane last month and he thought it would be a good idea to take it.

This certification will come in handy, he said. Not only does it mean he is up to date on floodplain issues today, but continuing education required to maintain it will keep him current in the future.

“This important to Barton County,” Commissioner Alicia Straub said. A floodplain manager is responsible for administering and enforcing local floodplain management regulations that the Federal Emergency Management Agency requires in order for a community to be able to participate in the national flood insurance program. 

And, “we do have a lot of floodplain issues in the county,” County Administrator Richard Boeckman said.

The Association of State Floodplain Managers notified McManaman that he has passed the national exam and met all other requirements. The ASFPM was formed in 1976 to protect people and the environment from flooding, and it is celebrating its 40th anniversary. 

In 1999, the ASFPM Certified Floodplain Manager Program was initiated. 

Its membership includes 6,500 floodplain managers at all levels of the public and private sectors.