FLOOD11755

• County: Statewide
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners - Volume 1: Flood Studies and Mapping
• Date: 4/1/2003
• Prepared By: FEMA
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners [April 2003]

. "Merging" new or updated flood hazard data (for updated portions of flooding sources)
with effective data (for non-revised portions of flooding sources) to produce the updated
FIRM; and

. Producing or revising the FIS report, including the text, Flood Profiles, and data tables
(e.g., Summary of Discharges Table, Floodway Data Table).

To compress timeframes, many work elements will be completed concurrently and
collaboratively by the assigned Mapping Partners. For example, FIRM production may begin
with one Mapping Partner conducting hydrologic and hydraulic analyses for several flooding
sources while another acquires base maps and digitizes floodplain boundaries and other flood
hazard data that will not be revised as part of the Flood Map Project. Data development and map
and report production are discussed in detail in Section 1.4.

1.1.4

Preliminary/Post-Preliminary Processing

[February 2002]

Upon completion of the Topographic and Flood Hazard Data Development/Report and Map
Production phase, FEMA issues the new or updated FIRM and FIS report to officials of the
affected communities in "Preliminary" form for review and for distribution to other interested
parties in the communities. Through an informal comment period following the issuance of the
Preliminary copies and through formal public meetings, FEMA provides the affected
communities, their citizens, and other interested parties the opportunity to comment on the FIRM
and FIS report. If the informal public review requires making significant changes in base map or
flood hazard information, these changes are incorporated and "Revised Preliminary" copies of
the FIRM and FIS report are issued.

When required, FEMA initiates a statutory 90-day appeal period to provide community officials
and citizens a formal opportunity to "appeal" any new or modified 1-percent-annual-chance
(lOa-year) flood elevations, also referred to as Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), or to "protest"
other flood hazard data. FEMA considers and evaluates all comments and data submitted during
the 90-day appeal period and resolves all appeals and protests in consultation with the
community. The following occurs during the remainder of the post-Preliminary process:

. Initiating compliance period (usually lasting 6months) during which the affected
communities make any necessary changes in their floodplain management ordinances;

. Conducting final quality assurance/quality control (QAlQC) reviews to ensure the
accuracy of the information presented in the FIS report and on the FIRM, and its
compliance with these Guidelines;

. Printing activities performed by the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) in
coordination with the FEMA Map Service Center (MSC), which is responsible for
distribution of the printed copies of the FIRM and FIS report; and

. Printing and distributing the FIRM and FIS report.

Preliminary and post-Preliminary processing of FIS reports and FIRMs are discussed in detail in
Section 1.4.

1-6

Section 1.1