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Chapter 6 Map Amendments The accuracy of the floodplain boundaries shown on the NFIP maps depends, in part, on the scales at which the maps are prepared and by the accuracy of available topographic data. Map users may find it difficult to determine whether a specific structure or parcel of land is within the SFHA. Also, small areas of high ground may be included in the SFHA because they are too small to be shown to scale. When this happens, structures or parcels of land may be inadvertently included in the SFHA when the map is prepared. Because the requirement for the purchase of flood insurance and the Federal and local regulations governing construction in the SFHA are important to persons who own or plan to build structures, FEMA has developed the map amendment process. Under this process, property owners may request that FEMA determine whether specific structures or legally described parcels of land are in the SFHA and, if necessary, issue a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). Background Under the map amendment process, FEMA wi II make determinations for single or multiple structures on one or more lots and for parcels of land that can be legally described. In making such determinations, FEMA will use the best available data (usually the effective NFIP map) and information provided by the requestor concerning the locations and elevations of structures or the locations and elevations of legally described parcels of land. The map amendment process is applicable only to requests for determinations based on topographic conditions that existed on the effective date of the first NFIP map that showed the structure or parcel of land to be within the SFHA. All other requests for determinations will be processed as requests for Map Revisions. (See Chapter 4.) The following determinations may be made for structures and parcels of land under the map amendment process: . Out of the SFHA as shown on the effective FEMA map. No amendment to the map is necessary. . Out of the SFHA because the structure or parcel of land is above the BFE (inadvertent inclusion). FEMA will issue a LOMA to exclude the existing structure or the parcel of land from the SFHA. . In the SFHA because the structure or parcel of land is below the BFE. If necessary, FEMA will issue a LOMA to include the structure in the SFHA. Only the effective NFIP map may be amended by a LOMA. How to Request an Amendment Any owner or lessee of property may request that a determination be made concerning a structure or parcel of land and that, if necessary, FEMA issue a LOMA. Because such requests concern structures and parcels of land that were inadvertently included in the SFHA and do not involve recent alterations of topography or result in significant changes to the flooding information depicted on the NFIP map, they may be submitted directly to FEMA and are not subject to the review and approval of the community. However, if the structure or land was also included in a floodway, removal of the structure or land from the floodway must be with community concurrence and is accomplished under the map revision process. (see Chapter 4.) Requests for determinations concerning multiple structures on multiple lots should be sent to the FEMA Headquarters office at the following address: Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Insurance Administration Office of Risk Assessment Technical Operations Division SOO C Street, SW., Room 422 Washington, D.C. 20472 3S :.., -