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<br />Wendy Lathrop, Technical Mapping Advisory Council <br /> <br />The Council is in the fifth and last year of its existence and each year has submitted to Mr. Witt <br />an almual report with recommendations on mapping. This year the Council is considering the <br />following issues: <br /> <br />. The accuracy of flood data that are available to the public, including location of the <br />f oodplain as shown on the maps; the depiction of the extent of the floodplain as determined <br />by hydrologic and hydraulic studies; the disparity between the historic and calculated <br />s'~verity of flooding; variability of the floodplain due to erosion, wildfires, alluvial fans, and <br />ke jams; as well as the cumulative effect of development in the watershed. <br /> <br />. Interpretation of unnumbered or approximate A zones can cause inconsistencies in land use <br />policies and in mapping. <br /> <br />. lCnstudied areas that are at risk but have not been studied. <br /> <br />. 1he cumulative effect on the watershed from the issuance of LOMAs. <br /> <br />. Pllblic involvement needs to extend beyond education to empowerment in the <br />d~cisionmaking process so that there is buy-in and a real understanding of how floodplain <br />lTianagement decisions will affect quality of life. <br /> <br />. C pportunities for ongoing input to FEMA from the Council and occasions such as this <br />F:>rum. <br /> <br />Brett Hulsey, Director, Protect Our Families From Floods Project, Sierra Qub Midwest <br />Office <br /> <br />Mr. Hulsey emphasized the following points: <br /> <br />. FEMA should update all flood maps following a disaster. <br /> <br />. We should protect floodplains, wetlands, and coastal areas from sprawl development through <br />pl"Otection, regulation, and purchase. FEMA, State emergency management agencies, and <br />Ie cal governments moved more than 17,000 homes and businesses out of the floodplains <br />between 1988 to 1998 at a cost of $700 million. This money could have purchased <br />easements on 700,000 acres of wetlands. <br /> <br />· FEMA and State floodplain programs should review all wetland destruction permits in high- <br />fl,Jod counties. <br /> <br />· Support the Wetlands Reserve Program, wildlife refuge expansion, and other habitat <br />programs more vigorously. <br /> <br />. T lere is a need to focus effort on top flood disaster counties. <br /> <br />Floodplain Management Forum <br /> <br />20 <br />