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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Colorado 2013 Flood Event Develop Advisory Base Flood Elevations for rebuilding structures in and around flooded areas. This analysis should include high-water marks from the 2013 flooding, historic flood records, and FEMA Flood Insurance Study data. Whenever possible, rebuild outside the floodplain to reduce the potential for future damage. One of the most effective ways to mitigate future losses is to relocate structures and infrastructure outside known hazard areas. Support the implementation of master plans, locally and regionally, by executing them during flood recovery rebuilding efforts, rather than replacing old plans in-kind. Consider FEMA's repetitive flood loss clauses that affect the cost of flood insurance in areas most frequently affected by flooding. Local governmental entities should consider available flood evidence and history before issuing permits in Special Flood Hazard Areas, especially in the Front Range canyon watersheds and along the South Platte River. Q8: Can a community realign a section of stream to its previous channel? A8: This type of work is typically undertaken as permanent work. As such, the project sponsor must obtain the appropriate Federal, State and local permits, including those issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Streams should not be altered unless the project proponent demonstrates through a floodway analysis and report, sealed by a Colorado Registered Professional Engineer, that the project will not have any adverse impact on the floodway. This requirement only applies to stream reaches where Base (1 -percent -annual -chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) have been established. A Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) provides comments on a proposed project that will, upon construction, affect the hydrologic or hydraulic characteristics of a flooding source and thus modify existing regulatory floodways, BFEs, or Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). It documents FEMA's assessment that a proposed project complies with the minimum criteria for National Flood Insurance Program floodplain management. FEMA charges a fee for processing a CLOMR, and Endangered Species Act documentation may be needed. More information about CLOMRs is available on the FEMA website at www.fema.gov/national- flood-insurance-program-2/conditional-letter-map-revision. A Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) is used to modify the BFEs, base flood depths, floodplain boundaries, regulatory floodways, and other mapping features shown on a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). "As -built" certification and other data will be needed to support a LOMR request that follows a CLOMR. All requests for map revisions should be submitted through the Chief Executive Officer of the community, because the community must adopt any changes to the FIRM. LOMR forms and cost information are available on the FEMA website at www.fema.gov/mt-2-application-forms-and-instructions.