RiskMap type 31 percent Levee PMs Levee wall rebuild October 2012 www.fema.gov/plan/rm-main · 1–877–FEMA MAP FEMA Levee Procedure Memorandums FEMA has identified thousands of miles of levees nationwide, which impact more than 150 million people. To facilitate the review and mapping procedures associated with levees, FEMA developed Appendix H of FEMA’s Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners. To further explain certain levee-related procedural requirements within Appendix H, FEMA issues PMs. What is a Procedure Memorandum? A Procedure Memorandum (PM) is an interim guidance document developed to provide clarity on existing studies and/or polices. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued several levee-related PMs to provide further explanation about existing levee procedures, currently outlined within FEMA’s Guidance and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners document. These PMs are summarized below. Procedure Memorandum No. 34 (PM 34) Interim Guidance for Studies Including Levees PM 34 was issued August 22, 2005 to clarify the responsibility of community officials or other parties seeking recognition of a levee as well as clarification of procedures to aid mapping partners in properly assessing and documenting the levee meets the requirements of 44 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 65.10 (Mapping of Areas Protected by Levee Systems). Procedure Memorandum No. 43 (PM 43) Guidelines for Identifying Provisionally Accredited Levees Issued March 16, 2007, PM 43 permits mapping partners to issue preliminary and effective versions of Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) while levee owners and communities compile the full documentation required to show compliance with CFR Section 65.10. Specifically, it outlines that if levees qualify for the Provisionally Accredited Levee (PAL) designation, FEMA will provide the community 90 days to sign and return an agreement indicating the full documentation for Section 65.10 will be provided within 24 months of the signed agreement. If the signed agreement is not returned to FEMA within 90 days, the levee(s) within a community are no longer eligible for the PAL designation. RiskMap type 31 percent new FIRM Levee PMS B1 October 2012 www.fema.gov/plan/rm-main · 1–877–FEMA MAP Procedure Memorandum No. 45 (PM 45) Revisions to Accredited Levee and Provisionally Accredited Levee Notations PM 45 was issued May 12, 2008 to further clarify and make consistent to users the risk messages and notes shown on FIRMs related to areas impacted by accredited levee and PAL systems. The revised note acknowledges the ability of a levee system to provide protection while also encouraging the use of insurance and other protective measures. Procedure Memorandum No. 51 (PM 51) Guidance for Mapping Non-Levee Embankments Previously Identified as Accredited PM 51 was issued February 27, 2009 to provide clarification for the evaluation and mapping of impacted areas in the vicinity of “non-levee embankments.” These embankments are considered to be those not designed or constructed as flood-control structures such as those built for highways or railroads. Procedure Memorandum No. 52 (PM 52) Guidance for Mapping Processes Associated with Levee Systems PM 52 was issued April 24, 2009 as two sets of guidelines to address the needs related to accreditation and de- accreditation of levee systems. Specifically, it provides guidelines for the mapping of impacted areas landward of levee systems. It also provides mapping alternatives associated with accredited, non-accredited, and de- accredited levee systems based on the urbanization of the impacted area. Procedure Memorandum No. 53 (PM 53) Guidance for Notification and Mapping of Expiring Provisionally Accredited Levee Designation PM 53 was issued April 24, 2009 to address the need for mapping levee-impacted areas after the 24-month period for submitting data and documentation for the PAL designation has expired. It also provides clarified guidance for FEMA, FEMA contractors, and mapping partner staff related to communicating with community officials, levee system owners, and other stakeholders concerning impending PAL expiration dates. Procedure Memorandum No. 63 (PM 63) Guidance for Reviewing Levee Accreditation Submittals PM 63 was issued September 2, 2010 to provide clarification in the review process of levee accreditation submittals. The review process is referred to as the “completeness check” and is outlined in PM 63 as “Guidelines for Reviewing Levee Accreditation Submittals.” The completeness check is to be implemented by all FEMA Regions and contractors, and shared with levee system owners and communities to further clarify FEMA’s role in the accreditation process. This completeness check is intended only for structures designed to serve as levee systems, and shall not be implemented for any other lateral structure or non-levee embankment without consultation with FEMA Headquarters. For Additional Information The Procedure Memorandums referenced above as well as other Procedure Memorandums, are accessible to the public through the FEMA website at http://www.fema.gov/ctp-main/guidelines-specifications- flood-hazard-mapping-partners. FEMA’s Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners and it appendices (including Appendix H) can be found online at www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=2206. Additional information on levees can be found by visiting: http://www.fema.gov/living-levees-its-shared-responsibility.