Ropin’ A CAV

2. Ropin’ A CAV Components and Contrasts of a Community Assistance Visit

3. Participants • Cathy Meek, CFM, LRA, H2O Partners, Inc. (CAV Contractor for TCEQ since 2005; over 60 CAVs) • Stacey Sheffel, CFM, FPA, Travis County • John Johnston, CFM, Director of Engineering, FPA, Victoria, TX • Dale Hoff, CFM, FEMA Region VIMitigation Division, Denton, TX

4. 2 Methods FEMA Uses in Identifying Whether NFIP Communities are Achieving Flood Loss Reduction Measures of the Program 1: Community Assistance Contact (CAC) • FEMA or TCEQ contact with a community by telephone or brief visit; • Less comprehensive and time-consuming than a CAV

5. 2: Community Assistance Visit (CAV) • Scheduled visit to an NFIP community to assess community’s knowledge and understanding of floodplain management requirements of the NFIP • Assist in implementing effective flood measures when violations or program deficiencies are discovered Take time to understand flood issues and community characteristics in order to leave the community with a sense of confidence and with the tools necessary to responsibly manage their NFIP program-both in and outside SFHA’s.

6. Key Components of the CAV Visit • Study floodplain issues pertaining to community’s participation in the NFIP • Conduct floodplain tour of areas delineated on FIRM • Meet with community officials to discuss management and enforcement of floodplain areas relative to the floodplain ordinance • Review permit applications and issued permits, variances, floodplain ordinance, flood disaster history, substantial damage, adequacy of FIRMs, etc. • Assess record keeping • Discuss concerns community has regarding their flood program and offer technical assistance to resolve issues if needed • Submit comprehensive Summary of Findings report to community along with follow-up letter • Submit letter to community with timeframe for resolving compliance or violation issues, reporting results, and forwarding documentation to TCEQ

7. Common Issues or Non-compliance issues that commonly arise during the CAV generally stem from lack of training and/or misunderstanding of minimum FEMA compliance regulations.

8. CLOSING THE CAV CORRAL Tools for the Floodplain Manager • Use the CAV as an opportunity to promote membership in TFMA, particularly for receiving training opportunity information • Provide community with brochures such as the Preferred Risk Policy (PRP), a low-cost building/ contents flood policy for residents outside the SFHA, NFIP Facts, etc. • Provide public awareness materials to community such as FEMA disaster preparedness for kids, including “Turn Around Don’t Drown” • If community has email access, email Dale’s “Sample Permit Pack” and sample FEMA ordinance. • Discuss joining the Community Rating System (CRS)

9. Travis County vs City of Victoria Stacey Sheffel, Travis County: Population: 812,280, approx. 200,000 in unincorporated area; high growth rate; floodprone; CAV in 2007 John Johnston, City of Victoria: Population: 61, 000, one of fastest growing communities in Texas; previous record floods; CAV in 2006

10. Contrasting Key CAV Components in NFIP Program Management • Developing a floodplain ordinance • Permitting • Re-mapping of floodplain areas • Determining substantial damage estimates • Post-disaster issues relating to permitting

11. Questions & Answers