Guide for Community Officials (December 2009) Table of Contents Preface ................................................................................................................................. i Chapter 1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Background on National Flood Insurance Program ................................................. 1-1 1.2 Emergency Phase ..................................................................................................... 1-3 1.3 Regular Phase ........................................................................................................... 1-3 1.3.1 Regular Conversion Process ...................................................................... 1-4 1.3.2 Special Conversion Process ...................................................................... 1-8 1.3.3 Existing Data Studies ................................................................................ 1-9 1.4 Flood Hazard and Risk Information Shown on Flood Maps.................................... 1-9 1.5 Flood Map Formats ................................................................................................ 1-10 1.6 Additional Flood Map Information ........................................................................ 1-10 1.7 Why Supporting Data and Documentation Are Needed ........................................ 1-10 1.8 Map Change Processes ........................................................................................... 1-12 1.9 Application Forms and Processing Fees ................................................................. 1-15 Chapter 2 How To Use This Guide ................................................................................ 2-1 2.1 Step 1-Determining Map To Be Changed and Changes Needed ............................. 2-1 2.1.1 Identify Type of Map To Be Changed ...................................................... 2-1 2.1.2 Determine Status of Map........................................................................... 2-2 2.1.3 Identify Types of Changes Being Requested ............................................ 2-5 2.2 Step 2-Selecting a Map Change Process .................................................................. 2-6 2.2.1 Appeals ...................................................................................................... 2-9 2.2.2 Comments ................................................................................................. 2-9 2.2.3 Map Revisions ........................................................................................... 2-9 2.2.4 Conditional Map Revisions ..................................................................... 2-10 2.2.5 Map Amendments ................................................................................... 2-11 2.2.6 Conditional Map Amendments ............................................................... 2-11 2.2.7 Revalidations ........................................................................................... 2-11 Chapter 3 Appeals ........................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Background .............................................................................................................. 3-1 3.1.1 Activities Leading Up To Appeal Period .................................................. 3-1 3.1.2 How Appeal Period Is Administered ........................................................ 3-2 3.2 North American Vertical Datum of 1988 ................................................................. 3-5 3.3 How To Submit an Appeal ....................................................................................... 3-5 3.4 Supporting Data and Documentation Required for Appeals .................................... 3-6 3.4.1 Scientifically Incorrect Flood Elevations or Depths ................................. 3-7 3.4.2 Technically Incorrect Flood Elevations or Depths .................................... 3-7 3.5 Technical Guidance .................................................................................................. 3-9 Guide for Community Officials (December 2009) 3.5.1 General Technical Guidance ................................................................... 3-10 3.5.2 Technical Guidance for Appeals Based on Levees/Levee Systems or Similar Structures/Systems ..................................................................... 3-12 3.6 Appeal Processing Procedures ............................................................................... 3-15 3.7 Administrative Hearings ......................................................................................... 3-18 3.8 Appeals to District Court........................................................................................ 3-18 3.9 Other Comments Received During Appeal Period ................................................. 3-18 3.9.1 Changes to Flood Zone Boundary Delineations ...................................... 3-19 3.9.2 Changes to Corporate Limits ................................................................... 3-20 3.9.3 Changes to Road Names and Configurations .......................................... 3-20 3.10 Comment Processing Procedures ........................................................................... 3-20 Chapter 4 Map Revisions ............................................................................................... 4-1 4.1 Background.............................................................................................................. 4-1 4.2 Application Forms ................................................................................................... 4-3 4.3 Fee-Charge System .................................................................................................. 4-3 4.4 North American Vertical Datum of 1988 ................................................................ 4-4 4.5 How To Request a Map Revision Based on Conditions Other Than Fill ................ 4-4 4.6 Supporting Data and Documentation Required for Map Revisions ........................ 4-6 4.7 Processing Procedures for Map Revisions Based on Conditions Other Than Fill .............................................................................................................. 4-12 4.7.1 Physical Map Revision Processing Procedures ....................................... 4-13 4.7.2 Letter of Map Revision Processing Procedures ...................................... 4-15 4.7.3 Processing Procedures for Map Revision Requests Involving Structural Measures on Alluvial Fans ...................................................................... 4-18 4.8 How To Request a Map Revision Based on Fill .................................................... 4-19 4.9 Supporting Data and Documentation Required for Map Revisions Based on Fill................................................................................................................... 4-20 4.10 Map Revision Based on Fill Processing Procedures ............................................. 4-23 4.11 Summary of Map Actions Processing .................................................................. 4-24 4.12 Revalidation Letter Processing ............................................................................ 4-26 Chapter 5 Map Amendments ....................................................................................... 5-1 5.1 Background ............................................................................................................ 5-1 5.2 Application Forms for Standard Letters of Map Amendment ............................... 5-2 5.3 North American Vertical Datum of 1988 .............................................................. 5-2 5.4 How To Request a Standard Letter of Map Amendment ...................................... 5-3 5.5 Supporting Data and Documentation Required for Standard Letters of Map Amendment ........................................................................................................... 5-4 5.6 Standard Letter of Map Amendment Processing Procedures ................................ 5-7 5.7 Requirements for Electronic Letters of Map Amendment ..................................... 5-8 5.8 Summary of Map Actions Processing ................................................................. 5-10 Guide for Community Officials (December 2009) 5.9 Revalidation Letter Processing ............................................................................ 5-11 Chapter 6 Conditional Revisions and Amendments .................................................... 6-1 6.1 Background ............................................................................................................ 6-1 6.2 Application Forms ................................................................................................. 6-2 6.3 Fee-Charge System ................................................................................................ 6-2 6.4 North American Vertical Datum of 1988 .............................................................. 6-3 6.5 Endangered Species Act ........................................................................................ 6-3 6.6 How To Request a Conditional Letter of Map Revision ....................................... 6-3 6.7 Supporting Data and Documentation Required for Conditional Letters of Map Revision ................................................................................................................. 6-4 6.8 Conditional Letter of Map Revision Processing Procedures ................................. 6-6 6.9 How To Request a Conditional Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill ................. 6-7 6.10 Supporting Data and Documentation Required for Conditional Letters of Map Revision Based on Fill........................................................................................... 6-8 6.11 Conditional Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill Processing Procedures ......... 6-11 6.12 How To Request a Conditional Letter of Map Amendment ................................ 6-12 6.13 Supporting Data and Documentation Required for Conditional Letters of Map Amendment ......................................................................................................... 6-13 6.14 Conditional Letter of Map Amendment Processing Procedures ......................... 6-16 Chapter 7 Floodway Revisions .................................................................................... 7-1 7.1 Background ............................................................................................................ 7-1 7.2 Application Forms ................................................................................................. 7-4 7.3 Fee-Charge System ................................................................................................ 7-4 7.4 North American Vertical Datum of 1988 .............................................................. 7-4 7.5 How To Request a Floodway Revision ................................................................ 7-5 7.6 Supporting Data and Documentation Required for Floodway Revisions ............. 7-6 7.7 Floodway Revision Processing Procedures ........................................................... 7-8 Chapter 8 Revisions Based on “Adequate Progress” (Zone A99) Determinations ..... 8-1 8.1 Background ............................................................................................................ 8-1 8.2 Community, State, and Federal Responsibilities ................................................... 8-2 8.3 Eligibility Requirements ........................................................................................ 8-2 8.4 Application and Submittal Requirements .............................................................. 8-3 8.5 FEMA Review and Response ................................................................................ 8-4 8.6 Requirements for Maintaining Zone A99 Designation .......................................... 8-4 8.7 Flood Insurance Requirements in Zone A99 ......................................................... 8-4 8.8 Floodplain Management and Building Requirements in Zone A99 ...................... 8-5 8.9 Requirements for Removing Zone A99 Designation ............................................ 8-5 Guide for Community Officials (December 2009) Chapter 9 Revisions Based on “Flood Protection Restoration” (Zone AR) Determinations ............................................................................................... 9-1 9.1 Background .............................................................................................................. 9-1 9.2 Community, State, and Federal Responsibilities...................................................... 9-2 9.3 General Requirements .............................................................................................. 9-2 9.4 Eligibility Requirements ........................................................................................... 9-3 9.5 Application and Submittal Requirements ................................................................. 9-3 9.5.1 Supporting Information and Documentation Required for Community That Does Receive Federal Funds ..................................................................... 9-3 9.5.2 Supporting Information and Documentation Required for Community That Does Not Receive Federal Funds.............................................................. 9-4 9.6 Limitations and Completion Requirements ............................................................. 9-5 9.7 Exclusions................................................................................................................ 9-6 9.8 FEMA Review and Response .................................................................................. 9-6 9.9 Requirements for Maintaining Zone AR Designation ............................................. 9-7 9.10 Flood Insurance Requirements in Zone AR ............................................................ 9-7 9.11 Floodplain Management and Building Requirements in Zone AR ......................... 9-7 9.12 Requirements for Removing Zone AR Designation from Map .............................. 9-8 Chapter 10 Letters of Determination Review ............................................................... 10-1 10.1 Background ........................................................................................................... 10-1 10.2 Review and Processing Fees ............................................................................... 10-1 10.3 Letter of Determination Review Processing Procedures ....................................... 10-1 10.3.1 Initial Review and Processing ................................................................. 10-2 10.3.2 Required Information and Documentation .............................................. 10-2 10.3.3 Final Review and Processing .................................................................. 10-2 10.4 Deliverable Products ............................................................................................. 10-3 10.5 Impact of Letter of Determination Review ........................................................... 10-3 Appendix A Glossary of Terms .................................................................................... A-1 Appendix B How To Obtain FEMA Publications and Backup Data.............................B-1 Maps and Reports ............................................................................................................. B-1 In-Progress Maps, Reports, and Other Products ..................................................... B-1 Completed Maps, Reports, and Other Products ...................................................... B-2 Other Mapping-Related Resources ................................................................................... B-3 Technical Bulletins ........................................................................................................... B-5 Floodplain Management Publications............................................................................... B-5 FEMA Map Assistance Center ......................................................................................... B-6 Technical and Administrative Support Data ..................................................................... B-6 Appendix C How To Support Revisions When Backup Data Are Unavailable ............C-1 Recreating Models ............................................................................................................ C-1 Guide for Community Officials (December 2009) Riverine Flooding Sources ................................................................................................ C-2 Coastal Flooding Sources .................................................................................................. C-2 Appendix D FEMA Fee-Charge System ...................................................................... D-1 Background ...................................................................................................................... D-1 Affected Submittals.......................................................................................................... D-1 Exemptions ...................................................................................................................... D-1 Unfavorable Responses .................................................................................................... D-2 Fee Schedule .................................................................................................................... D-2 Appendix E FEMA and State Resources ....................................................................... E-1 FEMA Headquarters Office .............................................................................................. E-1 FEMA Map Assistance Center ......................................................................................... E-1 FEMA Regional Offices ................................................................................................... E-1 State Resources ................................................................................................................. E-1 Archived Data ................................................................................................................. E-11 FEMA Web-Based Resources ........................................................................................ E-11 How To Order FEMA Publications ................................................................................ E-12 List of Tables Table 1-1. Quick Guide to Guidelines and Specifications Appendices ........................................ 1-7 Table 2-1 Description of Map Change Types and Processes ...................................................... 2-7 Table 4-1. Supporting Data and Documentation for Map Revisions Based on Effects of Physical Changes in Floodplain ................................................................................. 4-7 Table 4-2. Supporting Data and Documentation for Map Revisions Based on Use of Better Data .................................................................................................................. 4-8 Table 4-3. Supporting Data and Documentation Required for Map Revisions Based on Use of Alternative Methodology ............................................................................................ 4-9 Table 4-4. Supporting Data and Documentation for Map Revisions Based on Structural Modifications ............................................................................................................ 4-10 Table 4-5 Guidelines for Establishing Effective Dates for LOMRs .......................................... 4-17 Table 7-1. Supporting Data and Documentation for Floodway Revisions .................................. 7-7 Table D-1. Fee Schedule for Conditional and Final Map Change Products ............................... D-3 Table E-1. FEMA Regional Office Contact Information ............................................................. E-3 Table E-2. State NFIP Coordinator Contact Information ............................................................. E-5 Table E-3. Fee Schedule for Technical and Administrative Support Data ................................. E-13 Guide for Community Officials (December 2009) List of Figures Figure 1-1. Milestones for Participation in Emergency Phase of NFIP ....................................... 1-4 Figure 1-2. Milestones for Participation in Regular Phase of NFIP ............................................. 1-8 Figure 2-1. Sample NFIP Map Title Blocks ................................................................................. 2-2 Figure 3-2. Processing Procedures for Appeals of LOMR Determinations ............................... 3-25 Figure 3-3. Processing Procedures for Comments Received During Appeal Period ................. 3-27 Figure 4-1. Payment Information Form ........................................................................................ 4-5 Figure 4-2. Initial Processing Procedures for Map Revisions Based on Conditions Other Than Fill ....................................................................................................... 4-299 Figure 4-3. Final Processing Procedures for LOMRs .............................................................. 4-355 Figure 4-4. Final Processing Procedures for PMRs ................................................................. 4-399 Figure 4-5. Processing Procedures for LOMR-Fs ...................................................................... 4-47 Figure 5-1. Processing Procedures for LOMAs ......................................................................... 5-13 Figure 6-1. Processing Procedures for CLOMRs ....................................................................... 6-19 Figure 6-2. Processing Procedures for CLOMR-Fs ................................................................... 6-25 Figure 6-2. Processing Procedures for CLOMAs ..................................................................... 6-289 Figure B-1. Map Service Center Home Page .............................................................................. B-2 Figure E-1. FEMA Regions .......................................................................................................... E-2