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What is the process for developing new flood • FEMA provides a 90-day appeal period for all new
<br /> hazard data or revising existing data? or modified flood hazard information shown on a
<br /> FEMA coordinates closely with communities to develop FIRM, including additions or modifications of any
<br /> new flood risk data or revise existing data during the BFEs, base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area
<br /> flood study process. This coordination may lead to new (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, or regulatory
<br /> or updated flood hazard mapping (i.e., the update of a floodways. SFHAs are areas subject to inundation by
<br /> community's FIRM and FIS report), flood risk assessment the base (1-percent-annual-chance) flood and include
<br /> projects, and/or mitigation planning assistance. In the following flood zones: A, AO, AH, Al-A30, AE,
<br /> general, the process includes the following activities: A99, AR, AR/Al-A30, AR/AE, AR/AO, AR/AH, AR/A,
<br /> VO, V1-V30, VE, and V. The regulatory floodway is
<br /> • Under FEMA's Risk MAP program, FEMA engages in a the channel of a river or other watercourse and the
<br /> Discovery process with communities and other local adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order
<br /> stakeholders to obtain a comprehensive picture of to discharge the base flood without cumulatively
<br /> flooding issues, flood risk, and the potential for the increasing the water surface elevation more than a
<br /> performance of additional flood mitigation activities, designated height. Before the appeal period is initiated,
<br /> including the adoption of more restrictive floodplain FEMA will publish a notice of proposed flood hazard
<br /> management criteria by communities. Stakeholders determinations in the Federal Register and notify
<br /> may include, but are not limited to, local officials, the community's Chief Executive Officer of the
<br /> citizen associations, representatives of levee boards, determination. FEMA will then publish information
<br /> conservation districts, Tribal Nations, and economic about the flood hazard determinations at least twice
<br /> development organizations. Information obtained in a local newspaper. The appeal period provides
<br /> during the Discovery meeting helps determine the community and owners or lessees of property in
<br /> whether a flood risk assessment project, including the community an opportunity to submit scientific
<br /> new or updated flood hazard data and a corresponding or technical information if they believe the flood
<br /> FIRM and FIS report, is needed. hazard determinations are scientifically or technically
<br /> •Once it is determined that the creation or revision incorrect.
<br /> of flood hazard data, including an update to the • Following the 90-day appeal period, FEMA resolves all
<br /> FIRM and FIS report, is needed, FEMA works with appeals and finalizes all changes to the FIRM and FIS
<br /> communities and other Discovery stakeholders to report.
<br /> determine the parameters of the project, including
<br /> flooding sources and the type and extent (number of • FEMA then issues a Letter of Final Determination
<br /> stream or coastline miles) of the study. (LFD), which establishes the final flood hazard data
<br /> and the effective date of the new FIRM and FIS report
<br /> •The mapping process typically includes development for the community. The LFD also initiates the six-
<br /> of Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) and floodways for the month adoption period during which the community
<br /> project area. In addition,'the mapping process includes must adopt or amend its floodplain management
<br /> activities such as obtaining the digital base map, regulations to reference the new FIRM and FIS report.
<br /> developing the FIRM flood hazard database and, when
<br /> appropriate, incorporating or revalidating previously The FIRM and FIS report become effective at the end
<br /> issued Letters of Map Change, or LOMCs. LOMCs, of the six-month period. The effective date is also the
<br /> which include Letters of Map Revision (LOMRs), date when flood insurance rates will be based on the
<br /> Letters of Map Revision Based on Fill and Letters of new flood data for new construction built after this
<br /> Map Amendment, serve to officially revise the effective date. The effective FIRM will be used by Federally
<br /> FIRM and FIS report without requiring the physical insured or regulated lenders to determine if flood
<br /> revision and republication of these material's. insurance is required as a condition of a loan.
<br /> •When the study is completed, FEMA provides the FEMA has entered into agreements with nearly 250
<br /> community with a preliminary FIRM and FIS report communities, States, and regional agencies to be active
<br /> for review. In addition, FEMA may hold public partners in FEMA's flood hazard mapping program under
<br /> meetings—often referred to as the Final Meeting and the Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program.These
<br /> Open House—to explain and obtain comments on the agencies are participating with FEMA in developing and
<br /> preliminary FIRM and FIS report. updating FIRMS. (See the box on the inside of the back
<br /> cover page for a brief description of the CTP program.)
<br /> Adoption of Flood Insurance Rate Maps by Participating Communities 3
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