Department of Emergency Management

THE COMMUNITY'S ROLE IN FLOODPLAN MANAGEMENT

What is the role of the community in NFIP participation?	What constitutes "substantial improvement"?
What is the difference between an FHBM and a FIRM?	Do FEMA requirements apply to construction taking place outside the Special Flood Hazard Area within the community?
Do state governments assist in implementing the NFIP?	Can modifications be made to the basic floodplain management requirements?
When FEMA uses the term, "floodplain management measures," what is meant?	Do federal requirements take precedence over state requirements?
Do the floodplain management measures required by the NFIP affect existing buildings?

 What is the role of the community in NFIP participation?

FEMA works with state and community governments to identify their flood hazard areas and publishes a Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM) of those areas. When the community chooses to join the NFIP, it then must require permits for all construction or other development in these areas and ensure that construction materials and methods used will minimize flood damage. In return, the federal government makes flood insurance available. Subsidized premium rate schedules based on building occupancy are available for all insurable buildings and their contents regardless of their contents regardless of their flood risk if the start of construction of the building preceded the publication of an effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). FEMA will issue the community's FIRM, usually after a Flood Insurance Study of risk zones and elevations.

The FIRM will indicate base flood elevations and flood hazard zones for insurance rating and floodplain management purposes. The community then must adopt or amend its floodplain management ordinances so they meet or exceed the additional standards for the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) identified on the FIRM. The community is then converted to the regular program of the NFIP, and increased amounts of flood insurance are made available, with insurance for new and substantially improved buildings being rated on an actuarial or actual risk basis.

 What is the difference between an FHBM and a FIRM?

An FHBM is based on approximate data and identifies, in general, the Special Flood Hazard Areas within a community. It is used in the emergency program of the NFIP for floodplain management and insurance purposes. A FIRM usually is issued following a flood risk assessment conducted in connection with the conversion to the regular program. If a detailed Flood Insurance Study has been performed, the FIRM will show base flood elevations and insurance risk zones in addition to floodplain boundaries. The FIRM may also show a delineation of the floodway. After the effective date of the FIRM, the community's floodplain management ordinances must be in compliance with regular program requirements based on the delineation of flood hazards.

 Do state governments assist in implementing the NFIP?

At the request of the Federal Insurance Administrator, each governor has designated an agency of state or territorial government to coordinate that state's or territory's NFIP activities. These agencies often assist communities in developing and adopting necessary floodplain management measures. Some states require more stringent measures than those of the NFIP.

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 When FEMA uses the term, "floodplain management measures", what is meant?

"Floodplain management measures" refers to an overall community program of corrective and preventive measures for reducing future flood damage. These measures take a variety of forms and generally include zoning, subdivision or building requirements, or special-purpose floodplain ordinances.

 Do the floodplain management measures required by the NFIP affect existing buildings?

They affect existing buildings only when the existing building is substantially improved.

 What constitutes "substantial improvement"?

"Substantial improvement" is defined as any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a building, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the building either before the improvement or repair is started or before the damage occurred if the building has been damaged and is being restored. It does not, however, include:

 Actions taken for health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which are necessary solely to assure safe living

 Actions taken to comply with existing state or local codes and ordinances

 Alterations to a building listed on the National Register of Historical Places or a state inventory of historic places.

 Do FEMA requirements apply to construction taking place outside the Special Flood Hazard Area within the community?

The local floodplain management ordinances required by the NFIP apply only to the Special Flood Hazard Area.

 Can modifications be made to the basic floodplain management requirements?

In developing their floodplain management ordinances, participating communities must meet at least the minimum regulatory standards issued by FIA. NFIP standards and policies are reviewed periodically and revised whenever appropriate.

 Do federal requirements take precedence over state requirements?

The regulatory requirements set forth by FIA are the minimum measures acceptable for NFIP participation. More stringent requirements adopted by the local community or state would take precedence over the minimum regulatory requirements established for flood insurance availability.

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