What's New in Flood Hazard Mapping
- Coastal Barrier Resources System Draft Maps
- Risk MAP Multi Year Plan
- FEMA Issues Policy and Procedures Protocol for Contractors Who Use and/or Order Paper Flood Insurance Maps and Map Products
- FEMA Issues Guidance for Mapping of Non-Levee Embankments Previously Identified as Accredited
- Letter of Final Determination (LFD) Distribution Change
- FEMA Issues Policy and Procedures for Identifying and Mapping Areas Subject To Wave Heights Greater Than 1.5 Feet
- FEMA Issues Updated Quality Control Requirements for DFIRM Production Process
- Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program Guidance for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Available
- Revised Draft Version of Appendix C, "Guidance for Riverine Flooding Analyses and Mapping," Available for Public Review and Comment
- Revised Draft Version of Data Capture Standards (DCS) Available for Review
- Policy for the Use of Digital Flood Hazard Data
- Updated Map Change Application Forms Now Available
Keep up with the latest developments and find out what's new in Flood Hazard Mapping. Follow the links above to view or download important resources pertaining to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Flood Hazard Mapping program, and the Flood Map Modernization (Map Mod) effort. Sign up for e-mail updates on Flood Hazard Mapping Activities.
Coastal Barrier Resources System Draft Maps
May 2009
On April 7, 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released to the public its Report to Congress: John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Digital Mapping Pilot Project (PDF 8.1MB) and announced the start of a 90-day public comment period. The report, which was directed by the Coastal Barrier Resources Reauthorization Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-514), highlights the benefits of updating Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) maps with more accurate and precise digital maps to better protect people, coastal areas and natural resources.
The public is invited to review and comment on the report to Congress and draft maps created for the 70 pilot project units. Comments must be received on or before July 6, 2009. Mail or hand-deliver comments to: Coastal Barriers Coordinator, Division of Habitat and Resource Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 860A, Arlington, VA 22203 or send comments by e-mail to: CBRAcomments@fws.gov.
Risk MAP Multi Year Plan
April 2009
FEMA is initiating Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) and has developed a multi year plan spanning FY10-FY14. The vision for Risk MAP is to deliver quality data that increases public awareness and leads to action that reduces risk to life and property. The plan was approved on March 16, 2009 and you can access the plan through this link: www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=3587.
FEMA Issues Policy and Procedures Protocol for Contractors Who Use and/or Order Paper Flood Insurance Maps and Map Products
March 2009
On March 31, 2009, FEMA issued Procedure Memorandum No. 48 (PM 48), "Protocol for Contractors Who Use and/or Order Paper Flood Insurance Maps and Map Products." As part of the transition to digital products, PM 48 changes FEMA's policy for providing paper products to contractors:
- After March 31, 2009, the Map Service Center will charge FEMA contractors for paper maps.
- Starting on October 1, 2009, only digital products will be available to FEMA contractors.
FEMA will continue to provide digital products to contractors at no charge during and after this transition. Contractors who use paper maps and reports in the study process should start planning now to transition to digital maps and reports. Information about the new digital tools is available through the FEMA Map Service Center.
FEMA Issues Guidance for Mapping of Non-Levee Embankments Previously Identified as Accredited
February 2009
On February 27, 2009, FEMA issued Procedure Memorandum No. 51 (PM 51), "Guidance for Mapping of Non-Levee Embankments Previously Identified as Accredited." PM 50 applies to studies/DFIRMS that meet both of the following criteria:
- An area was incorrectly identified as not subject to the base flood on a Preliminary DFIRM issued after August 22, 2005.
- A sound technical justification for the delineation of the flood hazards in the vicinity of the embankment is unavailable.
The procedures provided in PM 51 are for situations where the community does, and where the community does not, agree to undertake further study.
Letter of Final Determination (LFD) Distribution Change
January 2009
As part of its Digital Vision initiative, FEMA set a goal of converting hard-copy flood hazard information to digital data. In keeping with this initiative, FEMA discontinued mailing hard copies of documents enclosed with LFDs as of January 1, 2009.
Communities will still receive a hard copy of the LFD, but instead of receiving enclosures with the letter, FEMA now makes them available on FEMA's Web site at www.floodmaps.fema.gov/lfd.The five enclosures to the LFD that will no longer be included with the letter include:
- Answers to Questions about the NFIP
- Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Effect that Revised Flood Hazards Have on Existing Structures
- Use of Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Data as Available Data; and
- The Elevation Certificates necessary to ensure compliance with community floodplain ordinances.
FEMA Issues Policy and Procedures for Identifying and Mapping Areas Subject To Wave Heights Greater Than 1.5 Feet
December 2008
On December 3, 2008, FEMA issued Procedure Memorandum No. 50 (PM 50), "Policy and Procedures for Identifying and Mapping Areas Subject to Wave Heights Greater than 1.5 Feet on Flood Insurance Rate Maps." For all new detailed coastal study starts in Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, the landward limit of waves 1.5 feet in height will be delineated on the Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) and included in the DFIRM database as an informational layer with no NFIP floodplain management requirements or special insurance ratings. As indicated in PM 50, FEMA encourages, but does not require, communities to adopt higher standards than the minimum NFIP requirements in these areas.
FEMA Issues Updated Quality Control Requirements for DFIRM Production Process
December 2008
On December 1, 2008, FEMA issued a revised version of Procedure Memorandum No. 42 (PM 42), "Quality Control Requirements in the Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRM) Process," which provides guidance for seven quality control reviews to be performed during the DFIRM production process. FEMA issued the original version of PM 42 on June 20, 2007. The revised version of PM 42 only partially supersedes the requirements in the original version of PM 42; therefore, both memorandums are effective for their relevant sections
Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program Guidance for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Available
December 2008
FEMA has developed a guidance document for FY 2009 (October 1, 2008 - September 30, 2009). The guidance in this document assists FEMA and Cooperating Technical Partner (CTP) participants with preparing, developing, and managing CTP Program activities. This document addresses administration, funded activities, eligibility and evaluation criteria, reporting requirements, technical capabilities, contracting requirements, standards, certification, funding, and cooperative agreement management for the CTP Program. This guidance document is updated each fiscal year. Visit the CTP Program main page for additional information on this program.
Revised Draft Version of Appendix C, "Guidance for Riverine Flooding Analyses and Mapping," Available for Public Review and Comment
November 2008
FEMA has developed a revised draft version of Appendix C , Guidance for Riverine Flooding Analyses and Mapping, of FEMA's Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners. This Appendix describes the standards and methods to be applied by Mapping Partners in the performance of, and presentation of results for, riverine flooding analyses and mapping. The revised document and an accompanying summary of changes included in the revised draft version will be available in the FEMA Library for public review and comment through February 20, 2009.
Revised Draft Version of Data Capture Standards (DCS) Available for Review
July 2008
FEMA has developed a revised draft version of the DCS that are included in the Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners as Appendix N. The revised document is available for public review and comment through September 30, 2008. A Web forum is being used to allow interested parties to post questions and comments. A summary of common questions and answers will also be published periodically on the DCS Public Review Summary page. For information on accessing the Web forum, the revised DCS document, and implementation guidance, please go to the DCS Public Review Summary.
Policy for the Use of Digital Flood Hazard Data
June 2008
The FEMA Mitigation Directorate is implementing a new policy for the use of digital flood hazard data developed for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The purpose of the policy is to clarify the NFIP approach to the implementation of Section 107 of the Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 (42 USC 4101).
FEMA's goal is to reduce the reliance on paper products. The policy is structured to allow the continued use of paper maps for those who prefer this method. However, for NFIP stakeholders interested in using the new digital processes and products, this policy will enable them to take full advantage of the new digital maps FEMA is producing through its Map Mod effort. FEMA wishes to transition to digital processes for distributing and reading the flood maps. These new digital capabilities of the flood maps will:
- Enable significant advantages in capability, precision, and cost;
- Reduce costs associated with paper map production, handling and storage;
- Encourage the use of quality local data to make administration of the NFIP more efficient and effective.
For more information, please read the Policy and Fact Sheet located in the FEMA Library. For additional information, contact Paul Huang at paul.huang@dhs.gov.
Updated Map Change Application Forms Now Available
June 2008
The following application forms have been updated and are now available in the FEMA Library.
- MT-EZ Form (Application Form for Single Residential Lot or Structure Amendments to National Flood Insurance Program Maps). This form is used to request that FEMA remove the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) designation from a single structure or a legally recorded parcel of land or portions thereof, described by metes and bounds certified by a Registered Professional Engineer or Licensed Land Surveyor, by issuing a Letter of Map Amendment. The SFHA is the area, shown on an NFIP map, that will be inundated by the flood having a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year (also known as the base, or 100-year, flood). The mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements of the NFIP apply to insurable structures in the SFHA. The MT-EZ application form and instructions can be downloaded from the FEMA Library.
- MT-1 Forms Package (Application Forms for Conditional and Final Letters of Map Amendment and Letters of Map Revision Based on Fill). The forms in this package were designed to assist requesters (community officials, individual property owners, and others) in gathering the information that FEMA needs to determine whether property (i.e., structure(s), parcel(s) of land) is likely to be flooded during the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event.
The forms and instructions in this package are to be used to request multiple-lot/multiple-structure Letters of Map Amendment (LOMAs), Conditional Letters of Map Amendment (CLOMAs), Letters of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-Fs), and Conditional Letters of Map Revision Based on Fill (CLOMR-Fs). The forms in this package may be used for property that has been inadvertently included in a V zone or the regulatory floodway. However, if the property is to be removed from a V zone, it must not be located seaward of the landward toe of the primary frontal dune. The MT-1 application forms and instructions can be downloaded from the FEMA Library.
- MT-2 Forms Package (Application Forms for Conditional Letters of Map Revision and Letters of Map Revision). The forms and instructions included in this package were designed to assist requesters (community officials or individuals via community officials) in gathering the data that the FEMA needs to determine whether the effective NFIP map and Flood Insurance Study report for a community should be revised. These forms also should be used by community officials or individuals via community officials for requesting FEMA comments on a proposed project, which are issued in the form of a Conditional Letter of Map Revision. These forms will provide FEMA with assurance that all pertinent data relating to the revision are included in the submittal. They also will ensure that: (a) the data and methodology are based on current conditions; (b) qualified professionals have assembled the data and performed all necessary computations; and (c) all individuals and organizations affected by proposed changes are aware of the changes and will have an opportunity to comment on them. The MT-2 application forms and instructions can be downloaded from the FEMA Library.
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