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National Flood Insurance Program Participation and Compliance. Sue Baker, State Coordinator National Flood Insurance Program State Planning Office. How the NFIP Works. Quid Pro Quo: mutual agreement between the Feds and your community
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National Flood Insurance ProgramParticipationandCompliance Sue Baker, State Coordinator National Flood Insurance Program State Planning Office
How the NFIP Works • Quid Pro Quo: mutual agreement between the Feds and your community • Community agrees regulate development in mapped floodplains • In return, federally backed flood insurance is made available • 3 basic parts: Mapping – Insurance - Regulations
Mapping • FEMA has developed and mapped flood hazard data for your community • Flood maps are used as the basis for regulating flood prone development • Insurance agents use them to rate policies • Lenders/federal agencies use them to determine when insurance is mandatory as a loan condition or financial assistance
Insurance • Every building in a participating community is eligible for flood insurance – even buildings outside the mapped floodplain • Premiums are based on construction date • Pre-FIRM vs. Post-FIRM structures • What happens on the regulatory side determines what happens to flood insurance rates over the life of the structure
Regulations • NFIP underwrites flood insurance in communities that adopt and enforce compliant flood regulations • Regulations insure buildings and other development will be protected from flood levels shown on the FIRM • Over time exposure to hazard should be reduced as Pre-FIRM replaced w/ Post-FIRM and substantially improved structures
Joining the NFIP Adopted a Resolution to: • Assist the Administrator in the delineation of the floodplain • Provide information concerning uses and occupancy of the floodplain • Maintain records of floodplain actions
Joining the NFIP (cont) • Cooperation with agencies/firms that seek to study, survey, map and identify SFHA • Notify Administrator of boundary changes • Adopted regulations that meet or exceed the minimum NFIP criteria
The Community Role • Issue or deny flood hazard development/building permits • Inspecting development to assure compliance • Maintain records of floodplain development • Assist in preparation/revision of flood maps • Educate residents: hazard – map data – flood insurance and proper construction
State Role “We’re from the Government, We’re here to help you” • Each Governor selects a State Coordinating Agency: State Planning Office • Roles/activities vary from state to state • Ensure communities have legal authority to adopt and enforce FP regulations • Establish minimum state requirements
State Role (cont) • Provide technical assistance • Collaborate with other agencies on issues that affect the NFIP
Federal Role • 10 Regional Offices: Region I – New England • Assist us – the state coordinating agency • Assess community compliance • Technical Assistance • Help review new flood data and maps • Approve community regulations • Information and training in insurance purchase requirements
Failure to Enforce • New buildings/substantial improvements will still be flood prone • Flood insurance may be expensive • Run the risk of FEMA imposed sanctions
Lions and Tigers and SanctionsOh My! • Reclassification under CRS • Probation: Written notice of deficiencies • 90 days to correct deficiencies or remedy violations • $50 premium on policies sold or renewed • No remediation can mean suspension
Suspension • No flood insurance available No new policies – no renewals • No federal grants or loans Acquisition or construction of buildings HUD – EPA – SBA • No federal disaster assistance on insurable buildings
Mitigation Grant Money • Must have a compliant county mitigation plan • Communities must be part of the plan • Community must belong to the NFIP and be compliant • 1991 ordinance or newer • Ideally more recent adoption • Ordinance changes often based on comments from local officials
How can we help? • Entry into the NFIP • Compliance/updated regulations • Interpretation of regulations • Flood mapping and flood insurance Q • FEMA mitigation publications • Call/e-mail/walk-in if you think we can help
Maine Floodplain Management Program State Planning Office Sue Baker, Coordinator 287-8063 Brigitte Ndikum-Nyada, Planner 287-8932 Diana True, P & R Associate, 287-8052 Joe Young, Mapping Coordinator 287-8051