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<br />Guide For Approximate Zone A Areas <br /> <br />Developing BFEs <br /> <br />V. DEVEWPING BASE (tOO-YEAR) FLOOD ELEVATIONS <br /> <br />If sufficient BFE information cannot be obtained from the <br />sources described in Section IV, then the community should <br />consider conducting, or requiring the applicant to conduct, a <br />site specific engineering analysis to determine a BFE. This <br />section describes several simplified and detailed methods for <br />estimating or developing BFE data, and provides guidance for <br />using them. <br /> <br />As noted in Section III, a detailed method is required under <br />Subparagraph 60.3(b)(3) of the NFIP regulations for proposed <br />development greater than 50 lots or 5 acres, whichever is the <br />lesser. If the BFEs developed will be used to revise or amend <br />NFIP maps, they must be developed using the detailed <br />methodologies described in this section or other methods <br />comparable to those in a Flood Insurance Study. <br /> <br />If no BFE data are available and the proposed development is <br />below the thresholds specified in Subparagraph 60.3(b) (3) of <br />the NFIP regulations, the simplified methods for estimating <br />BFEs described in the following section may be used. <br />Simplified methods are less expensive and less time consuming <br />than the detailed methods described later in this section. <br />However, communities have the discretion to determine which <br />method should be used when a proposed development is below the <br />aforementioned thresholds. <br /> <br />Simplified Methods <br /> <br />There are situations in which a simplified approach for <br />estimating the BFE may yield an acceptable level of accuracy. <br />For simplified methods to be used, very specific conditions <br />must be met as discussed below. <br /> <br />Simplified methods are appropriate for floodplain management <br />purposes only. These methods may be used for the purpose of <br />meeting the requirements of NFIP regulations Subparagraphs <br />60.3(a) (3) and 60.3(a) (4) for developments, such as isolated <br />small subdivisions in rural areas which are below the <br />threshold in Subparagraph 60.3(b) (3), or single lots. <br />Subparagraphs 60.3(a) (3) and 60.3(a) (4) require the community <br />to determine whether proposed building sites are reasonably <br />safe from flooding and ensuring that subdivision proposals are <br />consistent with the need to minimize flood damage within <br />flood-prone areas. <br /> <br />V-l <br />