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<br />Mapping Plan for Colorado <br /> <br />6.5 Age of Maps <br /> <br />FEMA has made it clear to the states that "reducing the age of the maps" is extremely important. CWCB <br />has taken note ofFEMA's desire. A few comments are in order, however. It is not as easy as it seems to <br />determine the age of every map panel. Some panels include information for many flood sources, some of <br />which were mapped at different times. If Letters of Map Revision (LOMR's) have been issued but not <br />physically revised, then the information on file is newer than the date the printed map would indicate. <br />FEMA should take due note of the very approximate nature of the map age date in its database and not <br />grant more credibility to these data than is warranted. In addition, the "reduction" in age that might be <br />assigned to a map update project may also misrepresent the magnitude and the value of the project. <br />Knowing that, Congress will be watching all 50 states and FEMA, we understand the reasons for using <br />this parameter. We are concerned that users of the information may misinterpret what has been <br />accomplished. Colorado is committed to making sure the "newer" maps are truly newer than those they <br />will replace. <br /> <br />Because counties include communities that have their own map panels, CWCB directed the MMIP <br />consultants to calculate a weighted average panel age for each county. The number of panels of any age <br />anywhere in the county was multiplied by that age. The numbers were added up and an average <br />countywide age was calculated. Communities with more panels played a more significant part in <br />determining that age than communities with less panels. <br /> <br />The oldest map panels in Colorado are approximately 25 years old (prepared about 1977), according to <br />FEMA's database. The newest map panels are dated 2002. Again, standardized scores were assigned. <br />Brand new panels (those prepared in 2002) were assigned a score of O. Communities with no map panels <br />were also assigned a score of 0, with the reasoning that they have no old panels and they are already <br />getting points for being unmapped. The panels prepared in the last five years were assigned a score of 1. <br />Panels prepared over 20 years ago were assigned a score of 5. The results of the scoring are summarized <br />in the table below. <br /> <br />Table 6.5 - Age of Maps Ranking <br /> <br />Range of Map Panel Ages Standardized Value Number of Counties <br />Brand new maps or no maps 0 4 <br />1 to 5 years old 1 3 <br />6 to 10 years old 2 6 <br />11 to 15 years old 3 19 <br />16 to 20 years old 4 25 <br />Over 20 years old 5 7 <br /> <br />Clearly it will be important to FEMA and to Congress to show progress by updating this parameter in <br />their database as new maps are actually prepared. Figure 6 illustrates average FIRM panel age in <br />Colorado counties. <br /> <br />12/26/2002 <br /> <br />Page 21 of 38 <br />