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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Colorado 2013 Flood Event Q11: How have communities in other disaster areas regulated development to their locally adopted floodplain management ordinances in areas where the stream channel has shifted both horizontally and vertically? A11: Communities may use the "best available data" that is at their disposal for floodplain management purposes. In this process, the community would identify areas that they want to manage as a FEMA floodplain, although those areas are not included as a floodplain on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps. The community must identify and include these areas in its ordinance in order to have regulating authority. The Federal flood insurance requirement does not apply to structures in these more conservative areas. Q12: If community officials are interested in remapping their floodplains, what process do they need to follow, and what resources are available to them? Al2: Through the Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) process, a community can submit scientific or technical data to FEMA to improve the flood hazard information shown on an effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). A LOMR is one way FEMA modifies Base (1 -percent -annual - chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, floodplain boundaries, regulatory floodways, and other mapping features. All LOMR requests should be submitted through the Chief Executive Officer of the community, because the community must adopt any changes to the FIRM. Following a review of the community's map revision request and the supporting data, FEMA will revise the mapping and the Flood Insurance Study report, if appropriate, by issuing a LOMR or by republishing these mapping products through the Physical Map Revision process. The LOMR application forms and cost information are available on the FEMA website at www.fema.gov/mt-2-application-forms-and-instructions. Because a LOMR officially revises the effective FIRM, it is a public record that the community must maintain. Any LOMR should be noted on the community's master flood map and filed by panel number in an accessible location. For available resources, contact the Colorado Water Conservation Board to express interest in potential technical and financial resources. Q13: Can the temporary construction of bridges, utilities, bank stabilization, and shoring up buildings be exempted from local floodplain management requirements? A13: A community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requires permits for all development in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) and ensures that construction materials and methods will minimize future flood damage This is true for both emergency protective measures and permanent work, even if the work is performed by the community and funded by FEMA (through the Public Assistance Program, for instance). Permits ensure that proposed projects meet both the requirements of the NFIP and the community's floodplain management ordinance.