FEMA Map Modernization in Texas

1. FEMA Map Modernizationin Texas Texas Floodplain Manager’s Association Spring Meeting College Station, Texas Jack Quarles, P.E. Michael Anderson, P.E., CFM May 22, 2007

3. Agenda • Introduction • Map Modernization Goals • Mapping Information Platform (MIP) • Multi-Year Flood Hazard Identification Plan (MHIP) • Map Mod Status in Texas • Map Mod Technical Challenges • Steps to Create an Effective FIRM

4. Introduction • National Flood Insurance Program • Established in 1968 by Congress • Basic Components • Identifying and mapping flood-prone communities • Requiring that communities adopt and enforce floodplain management regulation • Provision of Flood Insurance • Over 20,000 participating communities • 100,000+ flood maps • 4.46 million policyholders • $695 Billion of insurance in-force

5. Introduction Accurate information about risks is the first step in preventing and reducing losses. Today, many of the Nation’s flood maps reflect outdated data, severely limiting their usefulness.

6. Agenda • Introduction • Map Modernization Goals • Mapping Information Platform (MIP) • Multi-Year Flood Hazard Identification Plan (MHIP) • Map Mod Status in Texas • Map Mod Technical Challenges in Texas • Steps to Create an Effective FIRM

7. Map Modernization Initiative • FEMA’s Map Modernization Initiative began in 2004 • Initially conceived to include all counties in the country • Initial budget of $1 billion over 5 years • Approximately $200 million a year

8. Map Modernization Initiative • Acknowledged early on that this would not complete the task • Additional funding would be required • Local funds could be added to provide more detailed study, a more timely completion, and better results

9. Map Modernization Goals • Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps for communities nationwide • More accurate • Easier to use • More readily available data • Develop and maintain a premier data collection and management system (Mapping Information Platform) • Develop and Implement the Plan to complete the program objectives (Multi-Year Flood Hazard Identification Plan)

10. Agenda • Introduction • Map Modernization Goals • Mapping Information Platform (MIP) • Multi-Year Flood Hazard Identification Plan (MHIP) • Map Mod Status in Texas • Map Mod Technical Challenges in Texas • Steps to Create an Effective FIRM

11. What is the MIP? Web-based technology that enables management, extraction, sharing, and production of Map Modernization data http://hazards.fema.gov

12. How does the MIP Help? How Does It Help FEMA? • Allows FEMA to report cost and schedule performance to Congress • Allows for accurate forecasting of milestones • Moves FEMA into Digital Vision • Collects data for determining funding for remainder of Map Mod and beyond • Standardizes processes How Does It Help Me? • Proactive Centralized Study Management and Tracking • Standard Data Collection Search and Storage • Free Tools Available • Improve Efficiency of Re-studies & Map Maintenance • Measures Earned Value • Digital compendium of all flood hazard data

13. The Benefits of the MIP • Workflow provides a road map of FIS Process • Single repository for DFIRMs and all supporting data • Includes tools for scoping, engineering study, and map production • Increases map production efficiency • Increases quality • Measures Earned Value

14. Who can access the MIP? • Public • Home Page • Map Modernization • Tools & Links • Public Reports • Learning • Map Viewer • Contact Center • Authenticated Users • Workbench/Work Items • Project Dashboard • Reports & Form Letters • Search & Retrieve Data • SOMA tool • DFIRM Tools

15. A Brief Tour of the MIP http://hazards.fema.gov

16. Public Report

17. Digital Storage – Search and Retrieve Data Standardization / Digital Storage = Less Data Conversion and Easier for Future Reuse and Search No MIP MIP Search

18. Map Viewer

19. MIP Workflow Standardized Map Production Driven Processes (Workflow) = Fewer Mistakes/Smoother Production No MIP Got MIP

20. Study Workflow Diagram Note: Each step is assigned to a workbench by Organization, Geography and Role. No User will receive every step in process.

21. Workflow – LOMA’s and LOMR’s • Standardized processing of LOMA’s and LOMR’s (Amendments and Revisions) in MIP • Enforces Regulatory process of collecting, processing and disseminating data • Measures performance against regulatory deadlines • Automates final determination letter generation

22. MIP Project Dashboard Project Dashboard • This composite view shows a snapshot of all study projects at the State level (Kentucky) listed by County and the associated health status of the projects at the County level. • Clicking on the Counties in the Composite View will generate a Project List of project status information.

23. How does the Dashboard work? Dashboard Tolerances/Indicators • > +/- 10% Red • > +/- 5% Yellow • < +/- 5% Green • Currently includes: Active, Closed, Complete, On-hold, and Removed projects 4

24. MIP Earned Value Report

25. MIP Project Summary Project Dashboard • Once a Project List is generated, users can select a project (by clicking on the Project #) to display the Project Summary. The Project Summary provides detailed project-specific information including affected communities, flooding sources, project health status, and schedule and cost data.

26. Agenda • Introduction • Map Modernization Goals • Mapping Information Platform (MIP) • Multi-Year Flood Hazard Identification Plan (MHIP) • Map Mod Status in Texas • Map Mod Technical Challenges in Texas • Steps to Create an Effective FIRM

27. Flood Map Modernization and the MHIP Supports the Department of Homeland Security’s Strategic Plan by Strengthening Nationwide Preparedness and Mitigation Against Natural Disasters Describes FEMA’s Strategy for Updating NFIP Flood Maps Builds on Recommendations from our Stakeholders Developed and Updated Through a Collaborative Process with Local, State, and National Participants Schedule for Production of Digital Flood Hazard Maps

28. MHIP Evolution • Release of MHIP version 1.0 – November 2004 • 147 Comments were received by FEMA on version 1.0 • ASFPM and Several States were concerned about the quality of the new Maps • Release of MHIP Version 1.5 – June 2005 • Section 7 revised to include Floodplain boundary standards. • December 2005: MHIP Version 1.6 • Fiscal Year 2005 Flood Map Production – Appendix F

29. 2006 Congressional Report • Delivered to Congress on February 2006 • Describes the Status of Map Modernization as of Sept 30, 2005 • Proposes Mid-Course Adjustment

30. MHIP Status • MHIP Version 2.0 • August 2006: Flood map production sequencing baselined • September 2006: Pre-release copies sent to Regions,Regional Management Centers (RMCs), States, and Mapping Coalition • October 2006: Web files posted to FEMA’s FloodHazard Mapping Web site, initiating 60-day comment period (ended on December 15, 2006) • http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/mh_main.shtm

31. Mid-Course Adjustment – National Goals

32. Updated Region VI Countywide Studies

33. Mid-Course Adjustment – Texas

34. Agenda • Introduction • Map Modernization Goals • Mapping Information Platform (MIP) • Multi-Year Flood Hazard Identification Plan (MHIP) • Map Mod Status in Texas • Map Mod Technical Challenges in Texas • Steps to Create an Effective FIRM

35. Texas Countywide Studies

36. Status of Texas Counties • Effective • Hays 9/2/2005 • Midland 9/16/2005 • Bastrop 1/19/2006 • Wharton 4/5/2006 • Fayette 10/17/2006 • LFD Issued • Burnet (partial) 5/16/2007 Effective Date 11/16/2007 • Guadalupe 5/2/2007 Effective Date 11/2/2007 • Harris 12/18/2006 Effective Date 6/18/2007 • Lubbock 3/28/2007 Effective Date 9/28/2007 • Near LFD • Cooke

37. Status of Texas Counties (cont) • Preliminary Map Stage (15 Counties) • Travis 2/24/06 Appeals Resolution • Comal 3/10/06 On Hold • Webb 9/7/06 Appeal Period Ends 6/9/07 • Williamson 9/28/06 Comment Period Ends 5/22/07 • Randall 9/28/06 Revised Prelim. 3/30/07 • Potter 9/28/06 Revised Prelim. 3/30/07 • Liberty 9/29/06 Appeal Period Ended 5/15/07 • Rockwall 9/29/06 Appeal Period Ended 4/11/07 • Bell 9/29/06 Appeal Period Ends 6/09/07 • McLennan 9/29/06 Comment Period Ends 6/09/07 • Cooke 9/29/06 Appeal Period Ended 4/11/07 • Collin 12/29/06 Appeal Period Ends 6/29/07 • Smith 3/30/07 CCO Meeting 4/25/2007 • Waller 3/30/07 CCO Meeting 5/9/2007 • Parker 5/10/2007

38. Status of Texas Counties (cont) • Near Preliminary • Dallas • Denton • El Paso • Tarrant

39. Presentation Agenda • Introduction • Map Modernization Goals • Mapping Information Platform (MIP) • Multi-Year Flood Hazard Identification Plan (MHIP) • Map Mod Status in Texas • Map Mod Technical Challenges in Texas • Steps to Create an Effective FIRM

40. Levees • Levees complicate the study process due to the certification / re-certification requirements (44 CFR 65.10). • Information is needed for certification / re-certification from the: • Applicable USACE District • Levee Owner or Sponsor • Levee Maintenance Entity • Levee Inspection Entity • FEMA has issued 2 Procedure Memorandums, PM 34 and PM 43, to clarify 44 CFR 65.10.

41. Texas Counties with Levees

42. Texas Coastal Counties with New Surge Analysis

43. Presentation Agenda • Introduction • Map Modernization Goals • Mapping Information Platform (MIP) • Multi-Year Flood Hazard Identification Plan (MHIP) • Map Mod Status in Texas • Map Mod Technical Challenges in Texas • Steps to Create an Effective FIRM

44. Map Mod Study Process Flood Mapping Project Phases Pre-Scoping Project Scoping Preliminary DFIRM Post Preliminary Processing Hydrologic and Hydraulic Engineering And Data Development DFIRM Production 30 Days 30-90 Days 1-8 Months 12-18 Months 30 Days 12+ Months Time frames given are approximate and will vary from study to study

45. Production Phase to Preliminary DFIRMs • Surveying • Topography Development • Base Map • Hydrology • Hydraulics • Work Maps • DFIRMs • Incorporation of LOMCs • Preliminary Map Distribution

46. Components of a Flood Map Topography Base + + Flood Data = Digital FIRM

47. Post-Preliminary Phase • Preliminary DFIRMs • Coordination Consultation Officer (CCO) Meeting • Public Notice • 90-Day Appeals Period • Appeals Resolution • Letter of Final Determination • 6 Month Compliance Period • Effective Maps

48. Contacts Jack Quarles, PE FEMA Region VI Senior Engineer 940-898-5156 Jack.Quarles@dhs.gov Michael Anderson, P.E., CFM Michael Baker Jr., Inc. RMC 6 Lead 940-783-4136 manderson@mbakercorp.com

49. Questions?