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A an <br />Developing a <br />High-Resolution <br />Digital Elevation Model (DEMO <br />and <br />Floodplain Mapping Program <br /> <br />This white paper outlines the need to develop a statewide high-resolution digital elevation model <br />(DEM) and floodplain mapping program. It briefly describes the background, statement of need, <br />benefits of developing a DEM, and action plan for developing a DEM and floodplain mapping <br />program. A description of the current cost estimate is attached as an addendum. <br />I. Background .................................................................................................. 1 <br />II. Statement of Need ........................................................................................ 3 <br />III. Benefits of Developing DEM ....................................................................... 4 <br />IV. Action Plan for Developing DEM and Floodplain Mapping ....................... 5 <br />V. Cost Estimate ............................................................................................... 6 <br />VI. Appendix ..................................................................................................... 8-10 <br />VII. Draft Resolution ...........................................................................................1 l <br />~~~~R~~ <br />Society is moving into a new era of using <br />technology to manage infrastructure using <br />accurate land information displayed in three <br />dimensions: x and y horizontal coordinates and <br />z, elevation. The public can understand data <br />much easier if presented to them in three <br />dimensions, using today's technology. <br />Improvements in gathering and displaying <br />elevation data make it economically feasible to <br />gather large amounts of data in a short period of <br />time and have it readily available for <br />distribution to multiple users. A critical use is to <br />create current and accurate floodplain maps. <br />The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) <br />was created by an act of Congress in 1968. It is <br />administered by the Federal Emergency <br />Management Agency (FEMA), and floodplain <br />maps were developed as part of the program. In <br />1969, the Governor designated the Department <br />of Natural Resources (DNR) to be the State <br />NFIP Coordinator. At the same time, the <br />Legislature designated the DNR to administer <br />the Minnesota Floodplain Management Act of <br />1969. <br />Minnesota's floodplain maps are outdated; 50 <br />percent of the flood maps are more than 20 <br />years old. Furthermore, the maps were <br />delineated using topographic base maps with <br />contour intervals of 10 feet, except in the flat <br />Red River of the North basin, where the contour <br />intervals were five feet. The status of the flood <br />maps and the lack ofhigh-resolution elevation <br />data pose great difficulties on a daily basis for <br />