The Georgia Flood Map Modernization Program

1. The Georgia Flood Map Modernization Program A Partnership between FEMA, the State of Georgia, and Community Mapping Partners Nolton

2. Scoping Meeting Agenda • Please sign attendance sheet • Introduce Presenters • Attendee Introductions • Purpose of This Meeting • National Flood Map Modernization Program • Benefits to Community • Georgia Flood Map Modernization Program • Organizational Roles • Overview of Flood Mapping Process • Breakout Session • Discuss map needs and data sharing Nolton

3. FEMA Laura Algeo, Project Engineer Janice Mitchell, Mitigation Specialist Georgia DNR-EPD Collis Brown, State Floodplain Coordinator Mindy Crean, Floodplain Specialist Alan Giles, Floodplain Specialist Ban Yousif, Map Modernization Program Manager Nolton Johnson, Branch Chief Victor Onwueme, GIS Lead James Stapel, GIS Supervisor National Service Provider Beth Breed, Project Manager Greg Lowe, Engineering Manager John Newcomb-Thompson, Civil Associate PBS&J Mike DePue, Project Manager Joe Martinenza, Project Manager Garrett Skinner, Floodplain Scientist Jim Meador, Senior Floodplain Scientist Charles Absher,Program Manager –Georgia Water Resources Presenters Nolton

4. Attendee Introductions Nolton

5. Points of Contact… • Collis Brown • State NFIP Coordinator • 404-656-6382 • collis_brown@dnr.state.ga.us • Mike DePue • Project Manager • 800-697-7275 x227 • mdepue@pbsj.com Nolton

6. Purpose of This Meeting • Prepare for potential flood map production in coming Fiscal Years • Identify community map update needs • Identify community data useful in map update process • Determine any ongoing projects that may affect project timing • To adjust priorities if major factors come to light Nolton

7. National Flood Map Modernization • Nationwide, 5-year, $1 billion program • Update FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for the entire nation • Produce seamless flood data • Build State partner mapping capacity • Produce quality maps • Reduce map production time • Reduce cost/time for future updates

8. Map Mod Benefits to Community • Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) • GIS information • Includes database • Improved tool for floodplain management • Better flood insurance coverage and rating • Countywide DFIRMS—easier to use • Community input into process • Leverage previous community investments • Maximize state/federal/local resources

9. Georgia Map Mod • Mapping State • End-to-end production • Aggressive outreach program • Must map all 159 counties in State by end of FY09 • Budgets very tight • Many unmapped communities in Georgia require creation of first time flood map • FEMA will not pay for topographic data acquisition

10. Georgia Flood Mapping Plan • Create new flood maps for entire state over five years • First-cut factors for draft priority • Population density • Recent disaster history • Age of maps • Plan county-based for FY03-FY06 • Plan is RDC-based for FY07-FY09

11. Georgia PlanAnticipated DFIRM Delivery Year

12. Key Elements of GA MapMod • Project web site • www.GeorgiaDFIRM.com • Project status • PDFs of maps • Memorandums of Agreement • Submit Map update need • Join email list • Handouts and informational documents on technical and administrative topics

13. Website—County Status

14. Memorandum of Agreement“Important Features” Section

15. FEMA Role in Map Mod • FEMA • Sets national standards and requirements • Guidelines and Specifications • Provides significant share of funding • Agreements with States and Regional Authorities as Cooperating Technical Partners (CTPs) • Is an advocate for Georgia on National level • Established National Metrics Beth

16. NSP Role in Map Mod • National Service Provider (NSP) • Supports FEMA in the implementation of Map Mod Program • Manages the overall Map Mod program • Provides tools and procedures • Development of web-based data management system: Multihazard Information Platform (MIP) • DFIRM and supporting data storehouse • Deliverables by phase • www.hazards.fema.gov/ Beth

17. State Role in Map Mod • Department of Natural Resources (Environmental Protection Division) • Manages flood mapping program • Prioritizes mapping projects on State level • Links local priorities to National priorities • Provides services, staff, and funding to support Map Modernization program

18. RDC Role in Map Mod • RDCs • Use GIS data developed by State in their programs • Provide information on flood mapping needs • Provide data (where available) to update maps • Offer complementary programs to work with communities • Assist in outreach and communication

19. Community Role in Map Mod • Community: • Help set local flood mapping priorities • Drafting, implementing, and enforcing floodplain management measures • Use most recent FIRMs • Provide information to State & FEMA to help keep FIRMs current • Meet minimum standards of the NFIP to continue eligibility for NFIP flood insurance • Give consideration to higher standards for floodplain management (State model ordinance)

20. Other Roles in Map Mod • PBS&J • Contractor for State • Incorporates community data into flood maps • Completes flood map updates via engineering and GIS development • Directly coordinates with communities • Other Federal and State Agencies • Provide information on flood mapping needs • Provide data (where available) to update maps • Offer complementary programs to work with communities Collis

21. Flood Mapping Process Time frames given are approximate and will vary from study to study

22. A DFIRM is… • Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map • A GIS map of the floodplain limits, other flood features and base map data • A database of flood-related information Mike

24. GA MapMod & New H&H • State operating plan is • Incorporate community data onto DFIRMs wherever possible • “Incorporate Studies By Others” • Where Georgia undertakes H&H, do so in a way that facilitates use of models for other purposes

25. Georgia Map Mod Produces • Digital H&H models in SELECT areas • Where “Studies by others” incorporated • New limited detail study • These two elements account for about 8% of study budget in most counties • Use of effective FEMA information in many other areas • Approximate (Zone A) study • Detailed (Zone AE) study

26. Incorporate Studies By Others • Take community-supplied data and incorporate into DFIRM • Data must represent EXISTING or FUTURE 100-yr flood boundaries • Submitted data is reviewed • Verify it meets FEMA specifications • H&H • Mapping • Topographic base • Consistency • If changes needed, sent back to originating engineer • Data archived with final study

27. Incorporate Studies By Others • Example: Gwinnett County • County has already completed 100-yr existing and future conditions mapping countywide • Georgia Map Mod showing 100-yr existing and future conditions floodplain on DFIRMs

28. Incorporate Studies By Others NOTE: FINAL GWINNETT MAP WILL BE VECTOR-BASED, NOT ORTHO-BASED AS SHOWN HERE

29. Limited Detail Study • Georgia Limited Detail standards • Uses community 2-4’ equivalent topography • Bridges & culverts measured (not surveyed) • GPS location of bridges • Regression or HEC-HMS hydrology • GIS watershed boundaries, TOC, etc • Easy to change for other flows • HEC-RAS model • GIS XS, centerline, FP boundary • All GIS and H&H data given to community • State standard for display of limited detail

30. Limited Detail Study

31. Use of FEMA Effective Information • Register existing FIRMs to basemap; if available existing workmap is used instead of FIRM • Existing floodplain boundary lifted from existing map • Clean up spots where the paper map obviously does not match the base map and other simple fixes

32. Use of FEMA Effective Information

33. Typical Funds Breakdown

34. More Information • World Wide Web • FEMA • www.fema.gov • www.fema.gov/mit/ • www.fema.gov/mit/tsd/ • www.hazards.fema.gov/ • Georgia • www.georgiadfirm.com Mike

35. Points of Contact… • Collis Brown • State NFIP Coordinator • 404-656-6382 • collis_brown@dnr.state.ga.us • Ban Yousif • Map Modernization Program • 404-657-6005 • ban_yousif@dnr.state.ga.us • Mike DePue • Project Manager • 800-697-7275 x227 • mdepue@pbsj.com

36. QUESTIONS SO FAR ? Mike

37. Breakout session toreview map update needs Mike

38. What we need from you • Data from your community / organization • Any new or existing flood studies • Recent topographic data or survey • Flood reduction project information • Identification of areas • That flood but are not on current FIRM’s as flood zones • That do not flood but are on current FIRM’s as flood zones • High water marks (if any) you may have Mike

39. What we need from you • Mark up scoping map / FIRM panels • Identify needs and provide rationale for each reach proposed for study • Discuss your community’s priorities • Communicate with other communities on cross-boundary priorities • Identify points of contact for participants Mike