HomeMy WebLinkAbout20142729.tiff t
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U.S.Department of Homeland Security
Region VIII
RECEIVED Denver Federal Center,Building 710
P.O.Box 25267
Denver,CO 80225-0267
AUG 2 5 2014
WELD COUNTY �0 FEMA
COMMISSIONERS #40i.se
August 21, 2014
CERTIFIED MAIL IN REPLY REFER TO:
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED Case No.: 07-08-00095
The Honorable Douglas Rademacher Community: Unincorporated Areas of Weld
Chairman, Weld County Board of Commissioners County,CO
1150 O Street Community No.: 080266
Greeley,Colorado 80632
APPEAL START
Dear Mr. Rademacher:
On May 31, 2013,the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) provided your community with Preliminary copies of the Flood Insurance Rate Map(FIRM) and
Flood Insurance Study(FIS) report for Weld County, Colorado and Incorporated Areas. FEMA has posted
digital copies of these FIRM and FIS report materials to the following Website:
http://hazards.Tema.gov/femaportal/prelimdownload/.The Preliminary FIRM and FIS report include
proposed flood hazard information for certain locations in the Unincorporated Areas of Weld County. The
proposed flood hazard information may include addition or modification of Special Flood Hazard Areas,
the areas that would be inundated by the base(1-percent-annual-chance)flood;base flood elevations or
depths; zone designations; or regulatory floodways.
We have published a notice of the proposed flood hazard determinations in the FEDERAL REGISTER and
will publish a public notification concerning the appeal process(explained below) in the Greeley Tribune
on or about August 29, 2014,and September 5, 2014. The public notification of the appeals process will
also be published in the Fort Lupton Press on or about August 27, 2014, and September 3, 2014, and in
the Johnstown Breeze on or about August 28, 2014, and September 4, 2014,and in the Longmont Times
Call on or about August 29, 2014, and September 5, 2014,and in the North Weld Herald on or about
August 28, 2014,and September 4, 2014, and in the Windsor Beacon on or about August 29, 2014,and
September 5,2014. We will also publish a separate notice of the flood hazard determinations on the
"Flood Hazard Determinations on the Web"portion of the FEMA Website
(www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/bfe). We have enclosed copies of the notice published in the FEDERAL
REGISTER and the newspaper notice for your information.
These proposed flood hazard determinations, if finalized, will become the basis for the floodplain
management measures that your community must adopt or show evidence of having in effect to qualify or
remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP). However,before any
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9- 2-14 2014-2729
I
new or modified flood hazard information is effective for floodplain management purposes, FEMA will
provide community officials and citizens an opportunity to appeal the proposed flood hazard information
presented on the preliminary FIRM and FIS report posted to the above-referenced Website.
Section 110 of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (Public Law 93-234) is intended to ensure an
equitable balancing of all interests involved in the setting of flood hazard determinations. The legislation
provides for an explicit process of notification and appeals for your community and for private persons
prior to this office making the flood hazard determinations final. The appeal procedure is outlined below
for your information and in the enclosed document titled Criteria for Appeals of Flood Insurance Rate
Maps.
During the 90-day appeal period following the second publication of the public notification in the above-
named newspaper, any owner or lessee of real property in your community who believes his or her
property rights will be adversely affected by the proposed flood hazard determinations may appeal to you,
or to an agency that you publicly designate. It is important to note,however,that the sole basis for such
appeals is the possession of knowledge or information indicating that the proposed flood hazard
determinations are scientifically or technically incorrect. The appeal data must be submitted to FEMA
during the 90-day appeal period. Only appeals of the proposed flood hazard determinations supported by
scientific or technical data can be considered before FEMA makes its final flood hazard determination at
the end of the 90-day appeal period. Note that the 90-day appeal period is statutory and cannot be
extended. However,FEMA also will consider comments and inquiries regarding data other than the
proposed flood hazard determinations(e.g., incorrect street names, typographical errors,omissions)that
are submitted during the appeal period,and will incorporate any appropriate changes to the FIRM and FIS
report before they become effective.
If your community cannot submit scientific or technical data before the end of the 90-day appeal period,
you may nevertheless submit data at any time. If warranted, FEMA will revise the FIRM and FIS report
after the effective date. This means that the FIRM would be issued with the flood hazard information
presently indicated,and flood insurance purchase requirements would be enforced accordingly,until such
time as a revision could be made.
Any interested party who wishes to appeal should present the data that tend to negate or contradict our
findings to you, or to an agency that you publicly delegate, in such form as you may specify. We ask that
you review and consolidate any appeal data you may receive and issue a written opinion stating whether
the evidence provided is sufficient to justify an official appeal by your community in its own name or on
behalf of the interested parties. Whether or not your community decides to appeal,you must send copies of
individual appeals and supporting data,if any,to:
FEMA Region VIII Office at the Denver Federal Center,
Building 710, Post Office Box 25267, Denver, Colorado
80225-0267,
Additional copy to: FEMA Regional Service Center at 165
South Union Boulevard, Suite 200, Lakewood, Colorado
80228
If we do not receive an appeal or other formal comment from your community in its own name within
90 days of the second date of public notification, we will consolidate and review on their own merits such
appeal data and comments from individuals that you may forward to us, and we will make such
modifications to the proposed flood hazard information presented on the FIRM and in the FIS report as
may be appropriate. If your community decides to appeal in its own name,all individuals'appeal data
1
must be consolidated into one appeal by you,because, in this event, we are required to deal only with the
local government as representative of all local interests. We will send our final decision in writing to you,
and we will send copies to the community floodplain administrator,each individual appellant, and the
State NFIP Coordinator.
All appeal submittals will be resolved by consultation with officials of the local government involved, by
an administrative hearing, or by submission of the conflicting data to an independent scientific body or
appropriate Federal agency for advice. Use of a Scientific Resolution Panel (SRP)is also available to your
community in support of the appeal resolution process when conflicting scientific or technical data are
submitted during the appeal period. SRPs are independent panels of experts in hydrology, hydraulics, and
other pertinent sciences established to review conflicting scientific and technical data and provide
recommendations for resolution. An SRP is an option after FEMA and community officials have been
engaged in a collaborative consultation process for at least 60 days without a mutually acceptable
resolution of an appeal. Please refer to the enclosed "Scientific Resolution Panels"fact sheet for
additional information on this resource available to your community.
FEMA will make the reports and other information used in making the final determination available for
public inspection. Until the conflict of data is resolved and the FIRM becomes effective, flood insurance
available within your community will continue to be available under the effective NFIP map, and no
person shall be denied the right to purchase the applicable level of insurance at chargeable rates.
The decision by your community to appeal,or a copy of its decision not to appeal, should be filed with this
office no later than 90 days following the second publication of the flood hazard determination notice in
the above-named newspaper. Your community may find it appropriate to call further attention to the
proposed flood hazard determinations and to the appeal procedure by using a press release or other public
notice.
If warranted by substantive changes,during the appeal period we will send you Revised Preliminary copies
of the FIRM and FIS report. At the end of the 90-day appeal period and following the resolution of any
appeals and comments, we will send you a Letter of Final Determination, which will finalize the flood
hazard information presented on the FIRM and FIS report and will establish an effective date.
If you have any questions regarding participation in the NFIP, we encourage you to contact the Mitigation
Division Director, FEMA Region 8, in Denver, Colorado, either by telephone to(303)235-4830 or in
writing to Denver Federal Center, Building 710, Box 25267, Denver,CO 80225-0267.
If you have any questions regarding the proposed flood hazard determinations, FIRM panels, or FIS report
for your community, please call our FEMA Information eXchange (FMIX), toll free, at
1-877-FEMA MAP(1-877-336-2627) or e-mail the FMIX staff at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
Sincerely,
9r< ..4. ZDA6"so6-2
Jeanine D. Petterson
FEMA Region VIII Mitigation Division Director
l
List of Enclosures:
Newspaper Notice
Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations FEDERAL REGISTER Notice
Criteria for Appeals of Flood Insurance Rate Maps
"Scientific Resolution Panels"Fact Sheet
cc: Community Map Repository
Tom Parko-Community Floodplain Administrator
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations for Weld County,Colorado and Incorporated Areas
The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a
preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map(FIRM), and where applicable, Flood Insurance Study(FIS)
report,reflecting proposed flood hazard determinations within Weld County,Colorado and Incorporated
Areas. These flood hazard determinations may include the addition or modification of Base Flood
Elevations, base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area boundaries or zone designations,or the
regulatory floodway. Technical information or comments are solicited on the proposed flood hazard
determinations shown on the preliminary FIRM and/or FIS report for Weld County,Colorado and
Incorporated Areas. These flood hazard determinations are the basis for the floodplain management
measures that your community is required to either adopt or show evidence of being already in effect in
order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. However,
before these determinations are effective for floodplain management purposes, you will be provided an
opportunity to appeal the proposed information. For information on the statutory 90-day period provided
for appeals,as well as a complete listing of the communities affected and the locations where copies of
the FIRM are available for review, please visit FEMA's website at www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/bfe,
or call the FEMA Map Information eXchange(FMIX) toll free at 1-877-FEMA MAP(1-877-336-2627).
r
y ,°
43910 Federal Register/Vol. 78, No. 140/Monday, July 22, 2013/Notices
regarding the preliminary FIRM,and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Luis request for reconsideration of the
where applicable,the FIS report that the Rodriguez,Chief,Engineering revised flood hazard information shown
Federal Emergency Management Agency Management Branch,Federal Insurance on the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report
(FEMA)has provided to the affected and Mitigation Administration,FEMA, that satisfies the data requirements
communities.The FIRM and FIS report 500 C Street SW.,Washington,DC outlined in 44 CFR 67.6(b)is considered
are the basis of the floodplain 20472,(202)646-4064,or(email) an appeal.Comments unrelated to the
management measures that the Luis.Rodriguez3@fema.dhs.gov;or visit flood hazard determinations also will be
community is required either to adopt the FEMA Map Information eXchange considered before the FIRM and FIS
or to show evidence of having in effect (FMIX)online at report become effective.
in order to qualify or remain qualified www.floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/ Use of a Scientific Resolution Panel
for participation in the National Flood fmx_main.html. (SRP)is available to communities in
Insurance Program(NFIP).In addition, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:FEMA support of the appeal resolution
the FIRM and FIS report,once effective, proposes to make flood hazard process.SRPs are independent panels of
will be used by insurance agents and determinations for each community experts in hydrology,hydraulics,and
others to calculate appropriate flood listed below,in accordance with section other pertinent sciences established to
insurance premium rates for new 110 of the Flood Disaster Protection Act review conflicting scientific and
buildings and the contents of those of 1973,42 U.S.C.4104,and 44 CFR technical data and provide
buildings. 67.4(a). recommendations for resolution.Use of
These proposed flood hazard the SRP only may be exercised after
DATES:Comments are to be submitted determinations,together with the
on or before October 21,2013. floodplain management criteria required en and local communities been
by 44 CFR 60.3,are the minimum that engaged in a collaborative consultation
sonsuultltation
c
ADDRESSES:The Preliminary FIRM,and are required.They should not be process for at least 60 days without a
where applicable,the FIS report for construed to mean that the community mutually acceptable resolution of an
each community are available for - appeal.Additional information
inspection at both the online location must change any existing ordinances regarding the SRP process can be found
and the respective Community Map that are more stringent in their online at http://floodsrp.org/pdfs/
oodsr or / d s/
P floodplain management requirements. p' fl p' g p f
Repository address listed in the tables srpfact_sheet.pdf.
The community may at any time enact
below.Additionally,the current The watersheds and/or communities
effective FIRM and FIS report for each stricter requirements of its own or
P pursuant to policies established by other affected are listed in the tables below.
community are accessible online Federal,State,or regional entities. The Preliminary FIRM,and where
through the FEMA Map Service Center These flood hazard determinations are applicable,FIS report for each
at www.msc.fema.govfnr comparison. used to meet the floodplain community are available for inspection
You may submit comments,identified management requirements of the NFIP at both the online location and the
by Docket No.FEMA—B-1333,to Luis and also are used to calculate the respective Community Map Repository
Rodriguez,Chief,Engineering appropriate flood insurance premium address listed in the tables.
Management Branch,Federal Insurance rates for new buildings built after the Additionally,the current effective FIRM
and Mitigation Administration,FEMA, FIRM and FIS report become effective. and FIS report for each community are
500 C Street SW.,Washington,DC The communities affected by the accessible online through the FEMA
20472,(202)646-4064,or(email) • flood hazard determinations are Map Service Center at
Luis.Rodriguez3@fema.dhs.gov. provided in the tables below.Any www.msc.fema.gov for comparison.
Community Community map repository address
Bristol County,Massachusetts(All Jurisdictions)
Maps Available for Inspection Online at: http://www.starr-team.com/Starr/RegionalWorkspaces/Regionl/NewBedford-FairhavenMAlevee/
Preliminary%20Maps/Forms/A/lltems.aspx.
City of New Bedford City Hall, 133 William Street, New Bedford, MA 02740.
Town of Acushnet Town Hall, 122 Main Street,Acushnet, MA 02743.
Town of Fairhaven Town Hall,40 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719.
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SUMMARY:Comments are requested on
97.022,"Flood Insurance.••) SECURITY proposed flood hazard determinations,
Dated:June 28,2013. which may include additions or
Federal Emergency Management modifications of any Base Flood
Roy E.Wright, Agency
Deputy Associate Administrator for 8 Y ElevationSpecial
Flood Hazard),base Areflooa depth,
Mitigation,Department of Homeland Special Area(SFHA)
Security,Federal Emergency Management (Docket ID FEMA-2013-0002;Internal boundary or zone designation,or
Agency. Agency Docket No.FEMA-B-1339] regulatory floodway on the Flood
• Insurance Rate Maps(FIRMs),and
(FR Doc.2 01 3-1 744 1 Filed 7-19-13:8:45 aml Proposed Flood Hazard where applicable,in the supporting
• BILLING CODE 9110-12-P Determinations Flood Insurance Study(FIS)reports for
AGENCY:Federal Emergency the communities listed in the table
Management Agency,DHS. below.The purpose of this notice is to
seek general information and comment
ACTION:Notice.
regarding the preliminary FIRM,and
e
Federal Register/Vol. 78, No. 140/Monday, July 22, 2013/Notices 43911
where applicable,the FIS report that the Management Branch,Federal Insurance revised flood hazard information shown
Federal Emergency Management Agency and Mitigation Administration,FEMA, on the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report
(FEMA)has provided to the affected 500 C Street SW.,Washington,DC that satisfies the data requirements
communities.The FIRM and FIS report 20472,(202)646-4064,or(email) outlined in 44 CFR 67.6(b)is considered
are the basis of the floodplain Luis.Rodriguez3@fema.dhs.gov;or visit an appeal.Comments unrelated to the
management measures that the the FEMA Map Information eXchange flood hazard determinations also will be
community is required either to adopt (FMIX)online at considered before the FIRM and FIS
or to show evidence of having in effect www.floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/ report become effective.
in order to qualify or remain qualified fmx_main.html. Use of a Scientific Resolution Panel
for participation in the National Flood
Insurance Program(NFIP).In addition, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:FEMA (SEP)is available to communities in
the FIRM and FIS report,once effective, proposes to make flood hazard support of the appeal resolution
will be used by insurance agents and determinations for each community process.SRPs are independent panels of
others to calculate appropriate flood listed below,in accordance with section experts in hydrology,hydraulics,and
insurance premium rates for new 110 of the Flood Disaster Protection Act other pertinent sciences established to
buildings and the contents of those of 1973,42 U.S.C.4104,and 44 CFR review conflicting scientific and
67.4(a).
buildings. technical data and provide
These proposed flood hazard recommendations for resolution.Use of
DATES:Comments are to be submitted determinations,together with the the SRP only may be exercised after
on or before October 21,2013. floodplain management criteria required FEMA and local communities have been
ADDRESSES:The Preliminary FIRM,and by 44 CFR 60.3,are the minimum that engaged in a collaborative consultation
where applicable,the FIS report for are required.They should not be process for at least 60 days without a
each community are available for construed to mean that the community mutually acceptable resolution of an
inspection at both the online location must change any existing ordinances appeal.Additional information
and the respective Community Map that are more stringent in their regarding the SRI'process can be found
Repository address listed in the tables floodplain management requirements. g g
below.Additionally,the current The community may at any time enact online at heet.pfdoodsrp.org/pdfs/
effective FIRM and FIS report for each stricter requirements of its own or srp�act_sheet.pdf.
community are accessible online pursuant to policies established by other The watersheds and/or communities
through the FEMA Map Service Center Federal,State,or regional entities. affected are listed in the tables below.
at www.msc.fema.gov for comparison. These flood hazard determinations are The Preliminary FIRM,and where
You may submit comments,identified used to meet the floodplain applicable,FIS report for each
by Docket No.FEMA—B-1339,to Luis management requirements of the NFIP community are available for inspection
Rodriguez,Chief,Engineering and also are used to calculate the at both the online location and the
Management Branch,Federal Insurance appropriate flood insurance premium respective Community Map Repository
and Mitigation Administration,FEMA, rates for new buildings built after the address listed in the tables.
500 C Street SW.,Washington,DC FIRM and PIS report become effective. Additionally,the current effective FIRM
20472,(202)646-4064,or(email) The communities affected by the and FIS report for each community are
Luis.Rodriguez3®fema.dhs.gov. flood hazard determinations are accessible online through the FEMA
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Luis provided in the tables below.Any Map Service Center at
Rodriguez,Chief,Engineering request for reconsideration of the www.msc.fema.gov for comparison.
Community I Community map repository address
Weld County,Colorado,and Incorporated Areas
Maps Available for Inspection Online at: wwwfema.gov/preliminaiyfoodhazartldata
City of Dacono City Hall,512 Cherry Street,Dacono,CO 80514.
City of Evans City Hall, 110 37th Street, Evans,CO 80620.
City of Fort Lupton City Hall, 130 South McKinley Avenue, Fort Lupton,CO 80621.
City of Greeley City Hall, 1000 10th Street,Greeley,CO 80631.
Town of Ault Town Hall,201 1st Street,Ault,CO 80610.
Town of Eaton Town Hall,223 First Street, Eaton,CO 80615.
Town of Firestone Town Hall, 151 Grant Avenue, Firestone,CO 80520.
Town of Frederick Town Hall,401 Locust Street, Frederick,CO 80530.
Town of Gilcrest Town Hall,304 8th Street,Gilcrest,CO 80623.
Town of Hudson Town Hall,557 Ash Street,Hudson,CO 80642.
Town of Keenesburg Town Hall, 140 South Main Street,Keenesburg,CO 80643.
Town of La Salle Town Hall, 128 North 2nd Street, La Salle,CO 80645.
Town of Mead Town Hall,441 3rd Street, Mead,CO 80542.
Town of Milliken Town Hall, 1101 Broad Street, Milliken,CO 80543.
Town of Nunn Town Hall, 185 Lincoln Avenue,Nunn,CO 80648.
Town of Pierce Town Hall,240 Main Street, Pierce,CO 80650.
Town of Platteville Town Hall,400 Grand Avenue, Platteville,CO 80651.
Town of Severance Town Hall,231 West 4th Avenue,Severance,CO 80546.
Town of Windsor Town Hall,301 Walnut Street,Windsor,CO 80550.
Unincorporated Areas of Weld County County Commissioner's Office,915 10th Street,Greeley,CO 80632.
J r
43912 Federal Register/Vol. 78, No. 140/Monday, July 22, 2013/Notices
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. NE.,Albuquerque,New Mexico,87113, lists the Rio Grande cutthroat trout as
97.022,"Flood Insurance.") or by telephone at 505-346-2525. threatened or endangered and will
Dated:June 28,2013. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:We continue through the end of the CCAA
Roy E.Wright, announce the availability of the final term.
Deputy Associate Administrator for CCAA for the Rio Grande cutthroat Background
Mitigation,Department of Homeland trout,final EA,and FONSI,which we
Security,Federal Emergency Management developed in compliance with the The Rio Grande cutthroat trout is
Agency. agency decision-making requirements of native to the Rio Grande,Pecos River,
[FR Doc.2013-17439 Filed 7-19-13;8:45 am] NEPA.All alternatives have been and Canadian River basins in New
BILLING CODE 9110-12-0 described in detail,evaluated,and Mexico and Colorado.It is the
analyzed in our May 2013 final EA and southernmost subspecies of cutthroat
' the final CCAA. trout. Because of nonnative species
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Based on our review of the introductions,Rio Grande cutthroat
alternatives and their environmental trout are now restricted to streams that
Fish and Wildlife Service consequences as described in our final are narrow and small compared to the
[FWS-R2-ES-2013-N147; EA,we have selected Alternative 2,the larger streams they once occupied;these
FXES11150200000-134-FF02ENEHOO] proposed CCAA for the Rio Grande populations occupy approximately 10
cutthroat trout(Oncorhynchus c/arkii percent of historical habitat.Rio Grande
Final Candidate Conservation virginalis)in New Mexico and Colorado. cutthroat trout face a variety of
Agreement with Assurances,Final The proposed Federal action is the imminent threats,including
Environmental Assessment,and approval of a CCAA,issuance of a fragmentation,isolation,small
Finding of No Significant Impact; Rio section 10(a)(1)(A)enhancement of population size,presence of nonnative
Grande Cutthroat Trout,New Mexico survival permit to Vermejo Park Ranch, trout,whirling disease,fire,drought,
and Colorado and implementation of the CCAA for the and the effects of climate change.
conservation of the Rio Grande cutthroat Because of the range contraction and the
AGENCY:Fish and Wildlife Service, trout in New Mexico and Colorado. imminent threats,the Rio Grande
Interior. With the assistance of the New Mexico cutthroat trout became a candidate
ACTION:Notice of availability. Department of Caine and Fish,Colorado species on May 14,2008 (73 FR 27900),
SUMMARY:We,the U.S.Fish and Division of Parks and Wildlife,and the indicating that listing of the Rio Grande
Wildlife Service(Service),make Service,Vermejo Park Ranch would cutthroat trout was warranted but
available the final Candidate implement conservation measures for precluded by higher priority actions.
the Rio Grande cutthroat trout.by The species was given a listing priority
Conservation Agreement with
restoring them to historically occupied number of 9,indicating a subspecies
Assurances(CCAA)for the Rio Grande facing imminent threats of moderate to
cutthroat trout(Oncorhynchus clarki
streams,removing threats to the survival low ma nitude.
virginialis)in New Mexico and of the species,and protecting habitat. g
Colorado,as well as the final The CCAA would be in effect for 25 Currently,cooperative efforts are in
environmental assessment(EA)and the years on lands owned by Vermejo Park place to restore this subspecies to the
draft Finding of No Significant Impact Ranch in Taos County,New Mexico, Rio Costilla watershed,where much of
(FONSI)under the National and Costilla County,Colorado.The the habitat for Rio Grande cutthroat
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 CCAA was developed in support of a trout exists on private land.The CCAA
(NEPA).Vermejo Park,LLC d/b/a section 10(a)(1)(A)enhancement of was initiated in order to facilitate
Vermejo Park Ranch applied for an survival permit. conservation and restoration of the Rio
By fully implementing the CCAA Grande cutthroat trout on private lands
enhancement of survival permit
pursuant to the Endangered Species Act provisions of the enhancement of in New Mexico and Colorado.Expected
of 1973,as amended (Act).The permit survival permit,Vermejo Park Ranch conservation benefits for the Rio Grande
application included a draft CCAA will be provided assurances that,should cutthroat trout from implementation of
between the Service and Vermejo Park the Rio Grande cutthroat trout be listed, the conservation measures in this CCAA
Ranch for the Rio Grande cutthroat trout the Service will not require them to will be recognized through additional
in Taos County,New Mexico,and provide additional land,water,or connected populations being
financial resources,nor will there be maintained over time.
Costilla County,Colorado.Our decision
is to authorize the issuance of an any further restrictions to their land, Furthermore,Rio Grande cutthroat
enhancement of survival permit to water,or financial resources than those trout conservation will be enhanced by
Vermejo Park Ranch for implementation they committed to under the CCAA with regulatory assurances for the
of the CCAA (Preferred Alternative provisions.The CCAA provisions are participating property owner.There will
described below). found in the Code of Federal be a measure of security for the
Regulations(CFR)at 50 CFR 17.22(d) participating landowner in the
DATES:We will issue a FONSI and make
and 17.32(d).Furthermore,if the Rio knowledge that they will incur no
a final permit decision with the
Grande cutthroat trout is listed,Vermejo additional land use restrictions if the
publication of this notice.
Park Ranch would be provided species is listed under the Act.
ADDRESSES:For where to view incidental take authorization under the Vermejo Park Ranch requests issuance
documents,see Availability of enhancement of survival permit for the of the enhancement of survival permit
Documents in SUPPLEMENTARY level of incidental take on their lands in order to address the take prohibitions
INFORMATION. consistent with the activities under the of section 9 of the Act should the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: CCAA provisions.The term of the species become listed in the future.The
Wally Murphy,Field Supervisor,by CCAA is 25 years from the date the permit would authorize incidental take
U.S.mail at U.S.Fish and Wildlife CCAA is signed by Vermejo Park Ranch associated with implementation of
Service,New Mexico Ecological and the Service.The permit will become conservation commitments and
Services Field Office,2105 Osuna Rd effective on the date of a final rule that measures described in the CCAA and
Criteria for Appeals of
Flood Insurance Rate Maps
November 30, 2011
qA/,) FEMA
•
This document outlines the criteria for appealing proposed changes in flood hazard information
on Flood Insurance Rate Maps(FIRMs) during the appeal period. The Department of Homeland
Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) applies rigorous standards in
developing and updating flood hazard information and provides communities with an opportunity
to review the updated flood hazard information presented on new or revised FIRMs before they
become final.
1. Background
The regulatory requirements related to appeals are found in Part 67 of the National Flood
Insurance Program(NFIP)regulations. Additional FEMA procedural details are provided in
Procedure Memorandum No. 57,Expanded Appeals Process, dated November 30, 2011. Detailed
information on appeals can also be found in Appeals, Revisions, and Amendments to National
Flood Insurance Program Maps—A Guide for Community Officials and FEMA's Document
Control Procedures Manual. All referenced documents are accessible through the "Guidance
Documents and Other Published Resources"webpage, located at:
http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fltm/frm_docs.shtm.
As outlined in these documents, an appeal period is provided for all new or modified flood hazard
information shown on a FIRM, including additions or modifications of any Base(1-percent-
annual-chance) Flood Elevation(BFE),base flood depth, Special Rood Hazard Area(SFHA)
boundary or zone designation, or regulatory floodway. SFHAs are areas subject to inundation by
the base(1-percent-annual-chance)flood and include the following SFHA zone designations: A,
AO, AH, Al-A30, AE, A99, AR, AR/A1-A30, AR/AE, AR/AO, AR/AH, AR/A, VO,V1-V30;
VE, and V. Therefore, a statutory 90-day appeal period is required when a flood study, Physical
Map Revision(PMR), or Letter of Map Revision(LOMR) is proposed in which:
• New BFEs or base flood depths are proposed or currently effective BFEs or base flood
depths are modified;
• New SFHAs are proposed or the boundaries of currently effective SFHAs are modified;
• New SFHA zone designations are proposed or currently effective SFHA zone
designations are modified; and
• New regulatory floodways are proposed or the boundaries of currently effective
floodways are modified.
Clarification on the necessity for an appeal period is provided for certain specific circumstances
outlined below:
• Edge matching of effective floodplain boundaries or information. This usually occurs in
first-time countywide flood mapping projects when effective BFEs,base flood depths,
2
SFHAs, or floodways are extended to an adjacent community that previously had
differing or no BFEs, base flood depths, SFHAs, or floodways shown on their effective
FIRM in order to fix a map panel to map panel mismatch. In these instances, an appeal
period is required because BFEs, base flood depths, SFHAs, or floodways are changing
or being shown for the first time in the area.
• Redelineation of effective floodplain boundaries. This occurs when an effective SFHA
boundary is redrawn on the FIRM using new or updated topography to more accurately
represent the risk of flooding. In these instances an appeal period is required because
the SFHA boundary is changing. However, the appeal period will only apply to the
updated SFHA boundary delineations, not the methodology used to originally establish
BFEs/flood depths(since this will not have changed).
• Revisions to SFHA zone designations. A revision to an SFHA zone designation may
occur with or without a BFE and/or boundary change. For example, when a Zone VE
floodplain is changed to a Zone AE designation to reflect the updated location of a
Primary Frontal Dune (PFD), the BFE and SFHA boundary may not necessarily change.
For any change in SFHA zone designation, including the removal of an SFHA
designation from a FIRM, an appeal period is required.
• Regulatory floodway boundaries. When the effective floodway boundary is redrawn on
the FIRM to more accurately represent the extent of the encroachment, an appeal period
is required.
• MT-1 cases. When the SFHA or floodway boundary is amended due to the issuance of a
• Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA), Letter of Map Revision based on Fill (LOMR-F),
Letter of Map Revision—Floodway, or other MT-1 case, an appeal period is not
required.
• Annexation of effective floodplain boundaries. When a new or revised FIRM shows new
community boundaries which include effective BFEs, base flood depths, SFHAs, or
floodways, an appeal period is not required, provided no BFE, base flood depth,
SFHA, or floodway changes apply.
However, in cases where the flood hazard information in the annexed area has never
received due process (for example, if the area is shown for information only on all FIRMs
depicting the area), an appeal period is required.
• Reissuance of effective LOMRs: When a LOMR is reissued after not being incorporated
into a revised FIRM, an appeal period is not required.
3
• Updates that do not impact flood hazard data: When flood studies, PMRs, or LOMRs
result in changes to FIRMs that do not impact BFEs, base flood depths, SFHAs, or
floodways, an appeal period is not required.
• Datum Conversions: An appeal period is not required specifically for a datum
conversion(e.g., a conversion from NGVD 29 to NAVD 88).
1.1. Additional Procedures for LOMRs
Beginning with LOMRs issued on or after December 1, 2011,the following procedures will
apply:
In order to provide sufficient due process rights for changes due to LOMRs, any LOMR in a
compliant community that requires an appeal period will become effective 120 days from the
second newspaper publication date,following FEMA's current policy. This allows time to
collect appeals, as well as provides for newspaper publication schedule conflicts. LOMRs in
non-compliant communities or in communities that require adoption of the LOMR will
become effective following the six month compliance period.
Evidence of public notice or property owner notification of the changes due to a LOMR will
continue to be requested during the review of the LOMR request. This will help to ensure
that the affected population is aware of the flood hazard changes in the area and the resultant
LOMR. However,evidence of property owner acceptance of the changes due to a LOMR
will no longer be requested. Because all LOMRs that require an appeal period will become
'effective 120 days from the second newspaper publication date,the receipt of such
acceptance will have no effect on the effective date of the LOMR; therefore,there is no need
for the requester to pursue acceptance.
2. Appeal Eligibility Requirements
Areas that are eligible for appeal include:
• Areas showing new or revised BFEs or base flood depths
• Areas showing new or revised SFHA boundaries(including both increases and decreases
in the extent of the SFHA)
• Areas where there is a change in SFHA zone designation
• Areas showing new or revised regulatory floodway boundaries(including both increases
and decreases in the extent of the regulatory floodway).
The area of concern must be within the scope of the new or modified BFEs, base flood depths,
SFHA boundaries, SFHA zone designations, and/or regulatory floodway boundary changes and
4
be supported by scientific and/or technical data. The criteria for data submittals are outlined in
Title 44, Chapter 1, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 67.6(6) and in this document.
The statutory 90-day appeal period cannot be extended. FEMA may provide an additional 30
days for a community after the 90-day appeal period has ended to submit supporting and
clarifying data for an appeal received during the appeal period. No appeals will be accepted after
the 90-day appeal period.
Challenges that do not relate to new or modified BFEs, base flood depths, SFHA boundaries,
SFHA zone designations, or floodways are not considered appeals. Challenges received by
FEMA during the appeal period that do not address these items will be considered comments.
Comments include, but are not limited to the following:
• The impacts of changes that have occurred in the floodplain that should have previously
been submitted to FEMA in accordance with 44 Code of Federal Regulations, Section
65.3;
• Corporate limit revisions;
• Road name errors and revisions;
• Requests that changes effected by a LOMA, LOMR-F, or LOMR be incorporated;
• Base map errors; and
• Other possible omissions or potential improvements to the mapping.
Any significant problems identified by community officials or residents (at formal meetings or
otherwise) will be addressed appropriately.
3. Supporting Data and Documentation Required for Appeals
The BFEs and base flood depths presented in Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports and shown on
FIRMs are typically the result of coastal, hydrologic and hydraulic engineering methodologies.
Floodway configurations, generally developed as part of the hydraulic analyses, are adopted by
communities as a regulatory tool for floodplain management and are delineated on FIRMS along
with SFHAs.
Because numerous methodologies have been developed for estimating flood discharges and
flood elevations/depths, and other flood hazard information under a variety of conditions, FEMA
contractors, mapping partners, and others whose data and documentation FEMA approves and
uses, such as communities, regional entities and State agencies participating in the Cooperating
Technical Partners (CTP) Program, use their professional judgment in selecting methodologies
that are appropriate for the conditions along a particular segment of a particular flooding source.
5
For FEMA contracted flood studies and PMRs the approach to be used will usually be discussed
with community officials at the beginning of the flood study or PMR mapping process.
Because the methodologies are the result of attempts to reduce complex physical processes to
mathematical models, the methodologies include simplifying assumptions. Usually, the
methodologies are used with data developed specifically for the flood study, PMR, or LOMR.
Therefore,the results of the methodologies are affected by the amount of data collected and the
precision of any measurements made.
Because of the judgments and assumptions that must be made and the limits imposed by cost
considerations, the correctness of the BFEs, base flood depths and other flood hazard
information is often a matter of degree,rather than absolute. For that reason, appellants who
contend that the BFEs, base flood depths, or other flood hazard information is incorrect because
better methodologies could have been used, better assumptions could have been made, or better
data could have been used, must provide alternative analyses that incorporate such
methodologies, assumptions, or data and that quantify their effect on the BFEs, base flood depths
or other flood hazard information. FEMA will review the alternative analyses and determine
whether they are superior to those used for the flood study, PMR,or LOMR and whether
changes to the FIS report and/or FIRM, or LOMR are warranted as a result.
Unless appeals are based on indisputable mathematical or measurement errors or the effects of
natural physical changes that have occurred in the floodplain, they must be accompanied by all
data that FEMA needs to revise the preliminary version of the FIS report and FIRMs. Therefore,
appellants should be prepared to perform coastal, hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, to plot new
and/or revised Hood Profiles, and to delineate revised SFHA zone and regulatory floodway
boundaries as necessary.
An appeal must be based on data that show the new or modified BFEs, base flood depths, SFHA
boundaries, SFHA zone designations, or floodways to be scientifically or technically incorrect.
All analyses and data submitted by appellants must be certified by a Registered Professional
Engineer or Licensed Land Surveyor, as appropriate. The data and documentation that must be
submitted in support of the various types of appeals are discussed in the subsections that follow.
3.1. Appealing BFEs, Base Flood Depths, SFHA Zone
Designations, or Regulatory Floodways
Scientifically incorrect BFEs,base flood depths,SFHA zone designations,or regulatory
floodways:
Proposed BFEs, base flood depths, SFHA zone designations, or regulatory floodways are
said to be scientifically incorrect if the methodology used in the determination of the BFEs,
6
base flood depths, SFHA zone designations, or regulatory floodways is inappropriate or
incorrect, or if the assumptions made as part of the methodology are inappropriate or
incorrect. An appeal that is based on the proposed BFEs, base flood depths, SFHA zone
designations, or regulatory floodways being scientifically incorrect would, therefore, contend
that the use of a different methodology or different assumptions would produce more
accurate results. A list of National Flood Insurance Program-accepted hydrologic, hydraulic
and coastal models is available on FEMA's website at
http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/en modl.shtm. To show that an inappropriate or
incorrect coastal, hydraulic or hydrologic methodology has been used, an appellant must
submit the following data, as applicable:
• New hydrologic analysis based on alternative methodology and if applicable, updated
hydraulic/floodway or coastal analyses based on the updated discharge values;
• New hydraulic/floodway analysis based on alternative methodology and original flood
discharge values (if the appeal does not involve the hydrologic analysis);
• New coastal analyses based on alternative methodology and original Stillwater elevations
(if the appeal does not involve the hydrologic analysis);
• Explanation for superiority of alternative methodology;
• As applicable, revised Summary of Discharges Table, Flood Profiles, Transect Data
Table, Summary of Stillwater Elevations Table, and Floodway Data Table(FDT); and
• Revised SFHA zone boundaries and, if applicable, regulatory floodway boundary
delineations.
Technically Incorrect BFEs, Base Flood Depths,SFHA Zone Designations, or
Regulatory Floodways:
The proposed BFEs, base flood depths, SFHA zone designation or regulatory floodways are
said to be technically incorrect if at least one of the following is true.
• The methodology was not applied correctly.
o To show that a hydrologic methodology was not applied correctly, an appellant
must submit the following:
• New hydrologic analysis in which the original methodology has been
applied differently;
• Explanation for superiority of new application;
• New hydraulic/floodway or coastal analysis based on flood discharge
values from new hydrologic analysis;
7
• Revised Summary of Discharges Table and/or Flood Profiles and, if
applicable, FDT; and
• Revised SFHA zone boundary and, if applicable, regulatory floodway
boundary delineations.
o To show that a hydraulic methodology was not applied correctly, an appellant
must submit the following information. (Please note that an appeal to a floodway
configuration cannot be solely based on surcharge values.)
• New hydraulic/floodway analysis, based on original flood discharge
values, in which the original methodology has been applied differently;
• As applicable, revised Flood Profiles, FDT and other FIS report tables as
needed; and
• Revised SFHA zone boundary and, if applicable,regulatory floodway
boundary delineations.
o To show that a coastal methodology was not applied correctly, an appellant must
submit the following:
• New coastal analysis, based on the original stillwater elevations, in which
the original methodology has been applied differently;
• Revised SFHA zone boundary and, all applicable FIS report tables,
including the Transect Data Table.
• The methodology was based on insufficient or poor-quality data.
o To show that insufficient or poor-quality hydrologic data were used, an appellant
must submit the following:
• Data believed to be better than those used in original hydrologic analysis;
• Documentation for source of data;
• Explanation for improvement resulting from use of new data;
• New hydrologic analysis based on better data;
• New hydraulic/floodway or coastal analysis based on flood discharge
values resulting from new hydrologic analysis;
• Revised Summary of Discharges Table, Rood Profiles and, if applicable,
FDT;and
• Revised SFHA zone boundary and, if applicable,regulatory floodway
boundary delineations.
o To show that insufficient or poor-quality hydraulic data were used, an appellant
must submit the following:
8
• Data believed to be better than those used in original hydraulic analysis;
• Documentation for source of new data;
• Explanation for improvement resulting from use of new data;
• New hydraulic analysis based on better data and original flood discharge
values;
• Revised Flood Profiles and, if applicable, FDT; and
• Revised SFHA zone boundary and, if applicable, regulatory floodway
boundary delineations.
o To show that insufficient or poor-quality coastal analysis data were used, an
appellant must submit the following:
• Data believed to be better than those used in original coastal analysis;
• Documentation for source of new data;
• Explanation for improvement resulting from use of new data;
• New coastal analysis based on better data and original stillwater elevation
values; and
• Revised SFHA zone boundary and, all applicable FIS report tables,
including the Transect Data Table.
• The application of the methodology included indisputable mathematical or
measurement errors.
o To show that a mathematical error was made, an appellant must identify the error.
FEMA will perform any required calculations and make the necessary changes to
the FIS report and FIRM.
o To show that a measurement error (e.g., an incorrect surveyed elevation used in
the flood study, PMR, or LOMR) was made, appellants must identify the error
and provide the correct measurement. Any new survey data provided must be
certified by a Registered Professional Engineer or Licensed Land Surveyor.
FEMA will perform any required calculations and make the necessary changes to
the HS report and FIRM.
• The methodology did not account for the effects of natural physical changes that
have occurred in the floodplain.
o For appeals based on the effects of natural physical changes that have occurred in
the base floodplain, appellants must identify the changes that have occurred and
provide the data FEMA needs to perform a revised analysis. The data may include
new stream channel and floodplain cross sections or coastal transects.
9
3.2. Appeals to SFHA Boundaries
The supporting data required for changes to SFHA zone boundaries will vary, depending on
whether the boundaries are for flooding sources studied by detailed methods or flooding
sources studied by approximate methods, as discussed below.
Flooding sources studied by detailed methods
Usually, detailed SFHA zone boundaries are delineated using topographic data and the BFEs
and base flood depths resulting from the hydraulic analysis performed for the flood study,
PMR, or LOMR. If topographic data are more detailed than those used by FEMA or show
more recent topographic conditions, appellants should submit that data and the revised SFHA
zone boundaries for FEMA to incorporate into the affected map panels. All maps and other
supporting data submitted must be certified by a Registered Professional Engineer or a
Licensed Land Surveyor and must reflect existing conditions. Maps or data prepared by an
authoritative source, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey,
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, or a State department of highways and transportation, are
acceptable without certification as long as the sources and dates of the maps are identified.
For further information on submittals involving topographic data, please refer to the section
below Additional Guidance on Appeal Submittals Involving Topographic Data.
Flooding Sources Studied by Approximate Methods
Usually, where BFEs or base flood depths are not available, flood zone boundaries are
delineated with the best available data, including flood maps published by other Federal
agencies, information on past floods, and simplified hydrologic and hydraulic analyses. If
more detailed data or analyses are submitted, FEMA will use them to update the flood hazard
information shown on the affected map panels. Such data and analyses may include the
following:
• Published flood maps that are more recent or more detailed than those used by FEMA;
• Analyses that are more detailed than those performed by FEMA or that are based on
more detailed data than those used by FEMA;
• Topographic data and resulting updated SFHA boundaries.
For further information on submittals involving topographic data, please refer to the section
below Additional Guidance on Appeal Submittals Involving Topographic Data.
Please note that, when applicable, appeals related to the methodology used to develop an
approximate flood zone boundary must follow the guidelines established for appeals to
BFEs, base flood depths, SFHA zone designations, or regulatory floodways under Section
3.1 above. However, since flood profiles,FDTs, Summary of Discharges Tables, Transect
10
Data Tables, and Summary of Stillwater Elevations Tables are not developed in support of
approximate floodplain boundaries, these data will not need to be submitted for appeals to
flooding sources studied by approximate methods.
All submitted data and analyses must be certified by a Registered Professional Engineer or a
Licensed Land Surveyor. Maps prepared by an authoritative source, such as the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, or a State
department of highways and transportation, are acceptable without certification as long as the
sources and dates of the maps are identified.
Additional Guidance on Appeal Submittals Involving Topographic Data
For appeal submittals that involve topographic data, the following additional guidelines must
be followed:
• The data must be more detailed/accurate, and/or reflect more recent topographic
conditions, and be in a digital Geographic Information System(GIS) format
preferably;
• The appeal submittal must clearly state which flooding sources are being appealed
based on the updated topographic data;
• Updated SFHA boundary delineations that reflect the submitted topographic data for
each appealed flooding source must also be provided, preferably in digital GIS
format;
• All topographic data submitted must adhere to FEMA's current data capture
standards for such data;
• If necessary, a data sharing agreement must be provided.
4. Appeal Period Procedures
Appeals and comments must be resolved by following the procedures below:
• Acknowledgement by FEMA of the receipt of an appeal in writing, ensuring that
acknowledged appeals include ALL of the criteria discussed above.
• Acknowledge the receipt of comments. This can be done either in writing, by FEMA, or
through a documented phone conversation between the mapping partner and the
community that submitted the comments. At a minimum FEMA must notify the
community in writing that it did not receive any appeals. This can be done by separate
correspondence or by the inclusion of language in the Letter of Final Determination
(LFD).
11
• FEMA or the mapping partner will evaluate any scientific or technical data submitted for
compliance with existing mapping statues,regulations,or Guidelines and Standards.
• FEMA or the mapping partner will request any additional scientific or technical data
required to properly review the appeal or comment.
• FEMA or the mapping partner will make a recommendation to FEMA on the resolution
of the appeal or comment.
• FEMA or the mapping partner will prepare a draft appeal resolution letter(if all the
criteria for an appeal are met).
• The assigned mapping partner shall dispatch the signed FEMA appeal resolution letter
and if warranted, Revised Preliminary copies of the FIRM and FIS report to the
community CEO and floodplain administrator and all appellants. All correspondence
must be prepared and issued on FEMA Headquarters or FEMA Regional letterhead.
• FEMA provides a comment period of 30 days following the date the appeal or comment
resolution letter is issued. Any comments received during the 30 day comment period
must be addressed and resolved before proceeding with the LFD. Extensions to this 30
day period can only be granted with FEMA Headquarters approval.
5. General Technical Guidance
Detailed guidance on the supporting documentation that must be submitted in support of an
appeal can be found in Appeals, Revisions, and Amendments to National Flood Insurance
Program Maps—A Guide for Community Officials.
Unless appeals are based on the use of alternative models or methodologies, the hydrologic and
hydraulic analyses that appellants submit must be performed with the models used for the flood
study, PMR, or LOMR. Generally, when appellants are required to submit hydrologic or
hydraulic analyses, those analyses must be performed for the same recurrence interval floods as
those performed for the flood study, PMR, or LOMR. The vertical datum used in any data
submitted must match the datum used in the preliminary FIS report and FIRM. Further, SFHA
boundaries are to be shown on a topographic map(preferably, in digital form) whose scale and
contour interval are sufficient to provide reasonable accuracy.
New flooding information cannot be added to a FIRM in such a way as to create mismatches
with the flooding information shown for unrevised areas. Therefore, in performing new analyses
and developing revised flooding information, appellants must tie the new BFEs, base flood
12
•
depths, SFHA boundaries, SFHA zone designations, and/or regulatory floodway boundaries into
those shown on the maps for areas not affected by the appeal.
All analyses and data submitted by appellants, including those that show mathematical or
measurement errors must be certified by a Registered Professional Engineer or Licensed Land
Surveyor, as appropriate.
6. Scientific Resolution Panel (SRP)
FEMA's Scientific Resolution Panel (SRP) process reinforces FEMA's commitment to work
with communities to ensure the flood hazard data depicted on FIRMs is built collaboratively
using the best science available.
When changes to the FIRMs are met with conflicting technical and scientific data, an
independent third party review of the information may be needed to ensure the FIRMs are
updated correctly. The SRP serves as the independent third party. To be eligible for an SRP, an
appeal must include supporting information or data to substantiate that the BFEs, base flood
depths, SFHA boundaries, SFHA zone designations, or floodways proposed by FEMA are
scientifically or technically incorrect. An SRP request is an option only after FEMA and a local
community have been engaged in a collaborative consultation process for at least 60 days
without a mutually-acceptable resolution of an appeal.
13
S
C. )
Scientific Resolution Panels
FEMA's Scientific Resolution Panel(SRP)process reinforces FEMA's commitment to work with communities to
ensure the flood hazard data depicted on Flood Insurance Rate Maps(FIRMs)is built collaboratively using the best
science available. Flood hazards are constantly changing,and as such,FEMA regularly updates FIRMs through several
methods to reflect those changes. When changes to the FIRMs are met with conflicting technical and scientific data, an
independent third party review of the information may be needed to ensure the FIRMs are updated correctly.The
Scientific Resolution Panel serves as the independent third party.
Who can request an SRP?
A community,Tribe or political entity that has the authority to adopt and enforce floodplain ordinances for the area
under its jurisdiction can request FEMA use the SRP when conflicting data are presented.Chief Executive Officers or
authorized community representatives must make or endorse the SRP request if they did not develop or propose the
conflicting technical data.
When can communities request an SRP?
A community can request an SRP if it has:
• Not received a Letter of Final Determination(LFD);
• Submitted an appeal during the 90-day appeal period with scientific or technical data resulting in different flood
hazards than those proposed by FEMA;
• Allowed at least 60 days of community consultation with FEMA(but no more than 120 days).
Additionally,a community that has received a FEMA-issued appeal resolution letter and has not exercised the SRP
process will have 30 days from the issuance of the letter to request an SRP.
Independent Panel Sponsor
The SRP process is managed by the National Institute of Building Sciences(NIBS),a non-profit organization
independent from FEMA. NIBS will act as the Panel Sponsor,coordinating the SRPs,ensuring that proper regulations
and procedures are employed and maintaining a cadre of experts from which Panel members are selected.
Panel Member Selection
For each appeal,an SRP(or Panel)of three or five members will be convened. Panel members are technical experts in
surface water hydrology,hydraulics,coastal engineering,and other engineering and scientific fields that relate to the
creation of Flood Hazard Maps and Flood Insurance Studies throughout the United States.
Based on the technical specifications of the appeal,NIBS will develop a list of potential panel members with relevant
expertise from its cadre of experts. NIBS will ensure that there is no conflict of interest amongst the panel members.
NIBS will confirm that members do not reside in the state from which the appeal is taken and have no personal or
professional interest in its findings of the appeal.
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NIBS will provide the list of eligible panel members to the community and FEMA. The community selects the hoary
(in the case of a five-member Panel,the community selects three),and FEMA selects the minority(in the case of a five-
member Panel,FEMA selects two).
The Process
To request an SRP,the Chief Executive Officer of a community or authorized representative completes an SRP Request
Form and submits it to FEMA durpg the time periods outlined above.
Once FEMA confirms the appeal is eligible for an SRP,FEMA will forward the SRP Request form to NIBS to initiate
the Panel selection process and develop a list of potential members.
Once the Panel is convened,Panel members will be provided with a summary of the issue,FEMA's data,add the data
the community submitted during the 90-day appeal period.Panel members will review the data and,on a point-by-point
basis,deliberate and make a decision based on the scientific and technical challenges of the appeal.
If the community feels it is necessary to make an oral presentation in support of its appeal,it must include a justification
on the SRP Request Form.
Resolution
The Panel will render a written recommendation to FEMA,based on the scientific and technical data submitted by the
community and FEMA.The recommendation may either deny the community's data or incorporate it in part or in whole
into the FIRM.For an appeal to be incorporated,the community's data must satisfy the NFIP standards for flood hazard
mapping.
The Panel will present a written report with its decision and rationale to FEMA and the community no later than 150
days after being convened.The SRP's decision will become the recommendation provided to the FEMA Administrator.
Once a final determination has been made,FEMA will issue a resolution letter. If changes to the maps are made,
FEMA will incorporate the changes into revised preliminary FIRM panels and Flood Insurance Study. These changes
will be made available to the community with a resolution letter for review prior to the issuance of an LFD.
Once a determination is made and a resolution letter is issued,the community will not be able to re-submit an appeal of
the proposed flood hazard information nor request an SRP again. If the community is not satisfied with the
recommendation of the Panel or the determination of the FEMA Administrator, it may appeal to the appropriate United
States District Court,as outlined in Section 67.12 of the National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP)regulations.
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For Additional Information
•
For more information on appeals,see the FEMA document:Appeals, Revisions,and Amendments to National Flood Insurance
Program Maps:A Guide for Community Officials.
Part 67 of the NFIP regulations,which pertains to appeals,is available on the"Forms and Publications"section of FEMA's Flood
Hazard Mapping website at www.fema.gov/fhm.
Other Important Links www.floodSRP.or;r www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/sthot.shtm#2
Status of Map Change Requests: htto:/www.fema.gov/olan/orevent/fhm/st main.shtm
Risk MAP:www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/rm main.shtm
Flood Hazard Mapping Annex:www.floodmaps.fema.gov
Flood Insurance: www.floodsmart.gov
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