North Carolina CTS Committee Meeting #7April 17, 2001

Introduction and Welcome

Status Updates:Scoping/Basin Plans

Schedule for Completing Basin Plans

White OakLumberTar-PamlicoCape FearNeusePasquotank12/14/0012/27/001/23/012/27/014/13/005/1/01 (Est.)May 2001May 2001End of May 2001End of May 2001June 2001June 2001River BasinDraft DateFinal Date (Est.)

Final Scoping MeetingsThree separate meetings will be held to present the Draft Plan for the Neuse River Basin. Dates and locations include:April 23rd Raleigh, NCApril 24th Goldsboro, NCApril 25th New Bern, NCAll impacted counties & communities invitedProvides final opportunity for input

Final Scoping MeetingsTwo separate meetings are planned for the Pasquotank River Basin. Proposed dates and locations include:May 17th Elizabeth City, NCMay 18th Manteo, NCDraft Plan for Pasquotank River Basin under preparation

After the Final MeetingsDraft Basin Plan may be revised States Floodplain Mapping Contractor will develop business and technical proposalsBasin Plan will be finalized and notification provided to all impacted counties and communitiesProduction phase will then begin

Status Updates:Flood Data and Mapping Development

White Oak River BasinNegotiations completedDelivery Order finalizedField survey of hydraulic structures and streams completedEngineering analyses underwayExpected completion mid-May 2001

Lumber River BasinNegotiations completedDelivery Order finalizedField survey of hydraulic structures and streams underwayEngineering analyses underwayFirst of three phases expected to be completed end of May 2001

Tar-Pamlico River BasinNegotiations completedDelivery Order finalizedField survey of hydraulic structures and streams underwayEngineering analyses underwayFirst of three phases expected to be completed end of May 2001

Cape Fear River BasinNegotiations completedDelivery Order finalizedField survey of hydraulic structures and streams underwayEngineering analyses underwayFirst of three phases expected to be completed end of May 2001

Status Updates:LIDAR Surveys and DEM Development

Task 1 LIDAR Data Acquisition as of 4/10/01Watershed Concepts:Data collection is 100% complete for the White Oak, Tar-Pamlico, Neuse, and Pasquotank River BasinsGreenhorne & OMara:Data collection is 90% complete for the Lumber and Cape Fear River Basins

Task 2 Generation ofBare-Earth DEMsWatershed Concepts

Task 2 Generation ofBare-Earth DEMsGreenhorne & OMara

Task 3 Generation of TINs and BreaklinesWatershed Concepts:Green = CompletedOrange = In ProgressBlue = ApprovedAwaiting shipment of new DOQQs from CGIA

Task 3 Generation of TINs and BreaklinesGreenhorne & OMara:Breaklines for Scotland, Hoke, Montgomery, Moore, and Richmond Counties are completeTIN development has begun for 21 grids of the Lumber River Basin

Status Updates:LIDAR Quality Control Surveys

Selected Firms for RFQ #19-000018

Quality Control SurveysLIDAR quality control field work has been completed for the White Oak and Lumber River BasinsLIDAR quality control field work is in progress for the Tar-Pamlico, Cape Fear, and Neuse River Basins

Status Updates:DFIRM Graphic Specifications

NC DFIRM PrototypeNorth Carolina DFIRM prototype has been developed for review:Three colorsCustomized border, legend, and title blockCustomized map symbology10,000 x 10,000 grid tilingStatewide mappingOne panel includes all communities/counties in that tile

Status Updates:DFIRM Database Specifications

NC DFIRM DatabaseNorth Carolina DFIRM database design underway:Incorporates FEMAs standard DFIRM database itemsBase map dataDFIRM featuresEnhanced featuresField inventoryH&H model input and resultsSupports future map updates

Status Updates:Partnering

Information Technology Requirements Analysis and Preliminary Design

User Requirements AnalysisUser Requirements Document produced in draft formSummarizes survey and interview resultsEstablishes set of functional and data requirementsWill serve as basis for system designReview needed by CTS CommitteeLocation is www.ncfloodmaps.com

Preliminary System DesignPreliminary System Design Document available in draft form by April 18thBuilds on content of User Requirements DocumentEstablishes initial design parametersEnumerates options for future detailed considerationOutlines potential implementation risks

Next Steps for IT ComponentFinalize User Requirements DocumentFinalize Preliminary System Design DocumentDevelop schedule and work content for Detailed Design and Implementation PhasePrepare and issue Delivery Order for next phase

Base Map Data Collection/Community Partnering

Working Group Reports/Updates:Higher Standards

Preliminary/Post-Preliminary Processing forNC FISs and FIRMs

Current FEMA ProcessingPreliminary FIS and FIRM issued30-day comment periodFinal Community MeetingPublication of proposed flood elevation determination in Federal Register and twice in local newspaperCommunity notified by letter(continued)

Current FEMA Processing90-day appeal period initiated by second newspaper publicationAny appeal/protests resolvedLetter of Final Determination issued (establishes effective date of FIS and FIRM and begins 6-month compliance periodFIS and FIRM become effective; distributed by Map Service CenterProcess typically requires 1 to 1 years

6-Month Compliance PeriodTo participate in the NFIP, communities must comply with Section 60.3 of the NFIP regulationsSection 60.2 requires that FEMA give communities 6 months to adopt/update ordinances that comply with Section 60.3 criteria.

Land Management and Use Criteria

Compliance with60.3 CriteriaMost North Carolina communities have adopted 60.3(d)- and 60.3(e)-level model ordinances even without a floodway and V zonesMost NC community ordinances specify that they apply as of the date of initial community NFIP map and to any subsequent revisionsFor these communities, current ordinances will be adequate, and 6-month compliance period will not be neededOthers will have to update ordinances

Post-Preliminary Processing for NC Counties in More than 1 BasinMajority of Phase I North Carolina counties located in more than one basinEngineering for basins will not be completed at the same timeEngineering for portions of counties may be completed as much as a year before the other portions (longer for counties located partially in Phase II basins)

Post-Preliminary Processing for NC Counties in More than 1 BasinMethod of post-Preliminary processing must:Meet all statutory and regulatory requirements for due processReduce time frames as much as possibleBe cost effective

Recommended MethodIssue a Preliminary when the basin is completed, but include only the portion of the county in the basinInitiate the 90-day appeal period for the PreliminaryWhen the other basin(s) are complete, issue a revised Preliminary(s) that includes the rest of the county and proceed with 90-day appeal period

Recommended MethodIf a basin affects only a portion of a panel, the Preliminary will be issued for all panels affected by the basinFor portion of panel not affected by basin, base map information will be shown but not flooding informationNote on FIRM will refer users to effective map for flood hazard information in that area

Recommended MethodTo Expedite Processing:Schedule news releases to take place within 1 week of issuance of the PreliminaryWith Preliminary, notify community that 90-day appeal period will begin with the second news release and that the Final Meeting will be conducted during the first month of issuance of Preliminary(continued)

Recommended MethodTo Expedite Processing:Thorough outreach should reduce number of technical appeals and protests, thus making it safe to initiate the appeal period prior to the final meetingWhen the basins for other parts of county are completed, use the same process(continued)

Recommended MethodTo Expedite Processing:When State initiates engineering and mapping for subsequent basins, give priority to areas within the basin that will complete the countyWhen last Preliminary for county is issued, provide notice of the appeal period and provide the effective date of the FIS and FIRM to begin the 6-month compliance period(continued)

Recommended MethodTo Expedite Processing:6-month compliance period and last 90-day appeal period will run concurrentlyFinal Meeting will be conducted during first month of issuance of Preliminary FIRMAppeals will be processed on a case-by-case basis, depending on extent of area affected(continued)

Recommended MethodTo Expedite Processing:Approach for counties partially in Phase II basins will be more flexibleIf time lag might be more than a year, effective information for portion in Phase II might be digitized and used to develop the initial county FIS and FIRMWhen Phase II basin is complete, a revision would be processed

Recommended MethodFinal maps will become effective within approximately 7 months after issuance of final Preliminary for the county as compared to 1 to 1 years with FEMAs standard process

Recommended MethodFor 7 of the counties that are split between basins, Watershed Concepts is going to make complete county submissions.For these counties, the complete countywide Preliminary FIS and FIRM can be issued and the 6-month compliance period will begin as soon as the Preliminary is issued. The 90-day appeal period will begin with the second Public Notice.

Preparation for Preliminary and Post-Preliminary ProcessingState and FEMA will begin researching community ordinances to identify communities that will have to update their ordinances

DFIRM Production:Priority Listing of Counties

Phase I CountiesEngineering, mapping, and DFIRM production in the White Oak, Lumber, and Tar-Pamlico River Basins prioritized by countyPriority consideration given to (1) the anticipated impact of new mapping, (2) if the county is within multiple basins, and (3) contractors ability to complete county study by 09/30/2001

White Oak River Basin Priority Listing1.Carteret2.Onslow3.JonesYesNoNoMid-JulyMid-July*Mid-July*Complete County?Estimated Prelim. Date*For the portion of the White Oak River BasinCounty

Lumber River Basin Priority Listing1.Columbus2.Brunswick3.Scotland4.Robeson5.HokeNoNoNoNoNoEnd of Sept*End of Sept*End of Sept*End of Oct*Mid-Sept*Complete County?Estimated Prelim. Date*For the portion of the Lumber River BasinCounty

Lumber River Basin Priority Listing (contd)6.Bladen7.Montgomery8.Richmond9.MooreNoNoNoNoMid-Sept*End of Aug*End of Aug*Mid-Sept*Complete County?Estimated Prelim. Date*For the portion of the Lumber River BasinCounty

Tar-Pamlico River Basin Priority Listing1.Edgecombe2.Franklin3.Pitt4.Nash5.BeaufortYesYesYesYesYesMid-AugMid-SeptMid-AugMid-AugEnd of SeptComplete County?Estimated Prelim. DateCounty

Tar-Pamlico River Basin Priority Listing 6.Hyde 7.Warren 8.Halifax 9.Granville10.Martin11.VanceYesNoNoNoNoNoEnd of SeptEnd of Sept*Mid-Oct*Mid-Oct*End of Oct*End of Oct*Complete County?Estimated Prelim. Date*For the portion of the Tar-Pamlico River BasinCounty

Overall County Priority1) Carteret2) Onslow*3) Columbus*4) Jones*5) Brunswick*6) Edgecombe7) Franklin8) Pitt9) Scotland*10) Nash11) Robeson*12) Beaufort13) Hyde14) Warren*15) Halifax*16) Hoke*17) Granville*18) Martin*19) Vance*20) Bladen*21) Montgomery*22) Richmond*23) Moore**DFIRM production completed for only a portion of the county by September 30, 2001.

How Will Flood Elevation Data for Approximate Areas Be Depicted onNorth Carolina FIRMs?

How were Zone A Areas on FEMAs FIRMs determined?Designate a Special Flood Hazard Area where FEMA has not determined Base Flood ElevationsRegulatory definition of Zone A in 44 CFR 64.3Typically based on rudimentary calculations or other data source For example, regression equations and normal depth computations; USGS floodprone quadrangle maps; hydric soils data

What is Approximate Study Method for NC Flood Mapping Program?Based on H&H analyses using DEMsRegression equations for dischargesHEC-RAS models for flood profilesKey difference from Detailed Study Methodbridge geometry will not be surveyed and cross sections will not include bathymetric dataWhere bridge geometry is readily available, coding of bridge geometry will be attemptedBuildable analysescan be upgraded later to full detailed study

How can NCs Flood Elevation Data for Approximate Areas be used?Floodplain management Flood insurance policy rating Rates are typically higher in A zones than in AE zones because risk is less well knownIf BFE can be provided, rates are more actuarially based

How Will Flood Elevation Datafor Approximate Areas will be depicted on NC FIRMs?Publish on the FIRM as BFEsDesignate zones as AEProvide Statutory 90-day appeal period As required by 42 USC 4104[a] Appeals must be based on scientific or technical data

How will BFEs in Approximate Areas be distinguishable from Detailed Areas? On FIRM:No floodway or 500-year floodplainConsidering alternate symbology for BFEsIn Flood Insurance Study Report:Profiles will have only 100-year profile Peak discharge table will only have 100-year discharge No Floodway Data TableDifferent methodology for determining BFEs will be explained

What are the Benefits of this Approach?Elevation data for approximate areas will be readily available for floodplain managers and flood insurance agentsElevation data will carry more weightCommunities will be required to follow more stringent 60.3(c) requirements versus 60.3(b) best available data requirements

What are the potential drawbacks of this approach?Showing BFEs may imply higher degree of accuracy than warrantedMay result in more appealsImpacts time and cost

Why not show the approximate flood elevations as AFEs and treat them as Best Available Data?FEMAs regulations and governing statutes do not permit this. In order to portray the AFEs on the FIRMs and treat them as Best Available Data, an extensive rulemaking process would be required. Scheduling does not permit this.

Local Contributions tothe NC Mapping Effort

Potential Pilot forLOMA Delegation

Potential Pilot for LOMA/LOMR-F DelegationFEMA is considering delegation of LOMA/LOMR-F issuing authority to engineers and surveyors North Carolina Society of Surveyors has volunteered to work with North Carolina Geodetic Survey on a potential pilot

FEMAs CommunityRating System (CRS)

CRS BackgroundFounded in 1990 and Codified in the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994Flood insurance premiums are adjusted to reflect reduced risk resulting from activities that meet the three CRS goals:Reduce flood lossesFacilitate accurate insurance ratingsPromote awareness of flood insurance

BenefitsReduced flood insurance premiums for property ownersEnhanced Public SafetyReduction in damage to property, public infrastructure, and human suffering Avoidance of economic disruption and lossesProtection of the environmentAllows a community to evaluate itself against a nationally recognized benchmarkProvides technical assistance in providing and implementing activities

Benefits (contd)Reduced PremiumsClass 1 45%Class 2 40%Class 3 35%Class 4 30%Class 5 25%Class 6 20% Class 7 15% Class 8 10%Class 9 5%Class 10 n/a

CRS Recognized Activities18 recognized activities eligible for CRS credit points 300 Series Activities Public information activities400 Series Activities Mapping and regulatory programs focused on new development500 Series Activities Damage reduction programs where current development is at risk600 Series Activities Flood preparedness programs, flood warning and levee and dam safety programs

Participating CommunitiesCommunities receive a ranking between 1 and 109 is for the minimum amount of activities required to receive a reduced premium (5%)As of October 1, 2000, there were 926 participating communities nationwide:5 with a Class 10 rating431 with a Class 9 rating352 with a Class 8 rating110 with a Class 7 rating27 with a Class 6 rating 1 with a Class 3 rating

ParticipatingNorth Carolina CommunitiesNorth Carolina currently has 74 participating communities that are Class 9 and lower, including:44 Class 924 Class 84 Class 7 2 Class 6 (the Towns of Southern Shores and Wrightsville Beach)

Action Items/Wrap Up

Your Notes