DWR_3580552 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Colorado 2013 Flood Event Q9: If communities upstream or downstream from me realign their stream, how will this affect my community's effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)? A9: If the realignment is reported to FEMA through a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) request, the requirements of the LOMR process state that the model must extend upstream and downstream far enough to match the previously published flood hazard information. Also, Federal regulations - 44 CFR 60.3 (b) (6) and (7) - require that the adjacent communities are notified and that the streams' carrying capacity is maintained. If multiple communities are affected by a new stream alignment (whether caused by a flood event or a manmade effort), the LOMR process may not be appropriate and a larger study (i.e., a Physical Map Revision) may be necessary. Q10: Are there efforts or resources in place to remap and/or assess new floodplains caused by channel migrations? A10: At this time, the resources to update, assess, or remap changed floodplains are limited. To identify and record an altered watercourse and its floodplain that fall outside the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) shown on an effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) requires a new flood hazard study. Completing a new study or restudying a stream affecting one or more FIRM panels takes a considerable amount of time - the process includes identifying the scope of the study, funding, and following the study processes and methodology that have been established to ensure consistent application and regulatory compliance. On average, a flood hazard study takes 3 to 5 years to complete after the scope has been established and funding secured. In some cases, a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) may be the best approach for a community to report the altered watercourse and have the information reflected on the FIRM. Under certain circumstances (with proper justification and documentation to support the request), the LOMR application fee may be waived. For mapped watercourses with Base Flood Elevations/floodways, a Conditional Letter of Map Revision may also be required. In accordance with Section 72.5 of the NFIP regulations, review and processing fees are not required for the following types of map change requests: • Map changes based on mapping or study analysis errors; • Map changes based on the effects of natural changes within the SFHA; • Requests for Letters of Map Amendments; • Federally sponsored flood -control projects where 50 percent or more of the project's costs are federally funded; • Map changes based on detailed hydrologic and hydraulic studies conducted by Federal, State, or local agencies to replace approximate studies conducted by FEMA and shown on the effective FIRM; and • Map changes based on flood hazard information meant to improve upon that shown on the flood map or within the flood study. NOTE. Improvements to flood maps or studies that partially or wholly incorporate manmade modifications within the SFHA are not exempt from fees.