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<br />. In most cases the 100-year floodplain standard is appropriate, but sometimes it is not. An <br />alternative to changing the standard is to classify structures according to their importance. <br /> <br />. Coastal maps currently create an illusion of safety that does not exist. These uncertainties, <br />such as erosion rates, need to be incorporated in the maps. <br /> <br />. He recommended the creation of coastal A zones, which would require increased design and <br />construction requirements to meet the different conditions. <br /> <br />. Regarding insurance, the current data gleaned after events, which are used to establish depth- <br />damage curves, are unreliable or not available. <br /> <br />. Both A zones and V zones should require the same reference elevation (i.e., the lowest <br />horizontal supporting member). <br /> <br />Dave Canaan, Director, Mecklenburg County Storm Water Services, North Carolina <br /> <br />Mr. Canaan expressed his concern about the way FEMA does business. Because of the scope of <br />mapping needs and shifting priorities, FEMA will cease to be the mapping agency; that <br />responsibility will shift to State and local agencies. As more of the local communities take <br />control of their floodplain mapping and management, he challenged FEMA to be flexible in its <br />policies and standards to meet the individual needs of each community. He stressed the <br />difference between being compliant with the program and being committed to the principles. <br /> <br />Albert LeQuang, Manager, Insurance Standards and Disaster Mitigation, Freddie Mac <br /> <br />Mr. LeQuang related that Freddie Mac requires that all properties holding mortgages secured or <br />serviced by them maintain hazard insurance against natural or humanmade perils. Freddie Mac <br />requests that FEMA try to make flood insurance coverage perform like standard homeowner <br />insurance coverage. For instance, the homeowner is not required to purchase more insurance <br />than the amount of the loan; however, the flood insurance contract provided by the NFIP <br />penalizes the homeowner for insuring for less than 80 percent of replacement cost. <br /> <br />Mr. LeQuang also expressed his opinion that FEMA should bring coverage up to current <br />industry standards, including additional living expenses in the case of a claim, coverage for <br />cooperative buildings and condominiums, limits for multifamily rental buildings, inflation <br />guards, and zone ratings. <br /> <br />Ms. Howard added that the FEMA Web site (www.fema.gov) has a Call for Issues section and <br />that, beginning June 15, will post results and responses. <br /> <br />William Merrell, President, H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics, and the <br />Environment <br /> <br />Mr. Merrell indicated that the Heinz Center's recent study on coastal erosion, Evaluation of <br />Erosion Hazards, will be released in a few weeks and also be available on the Center's Web site <br /> <br />Floodplain Management Forum <br /> <br />24 <br />