Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Map Modernization Program

The FEMA Map Mod program was initiated in 2005, as a five year program with the purpose of converting the nations paper Flood Hazard Boundary Maps (FHBM) and Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) to a digital format referred to as as Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM). FEMA provided funding to States and other partners to convert maps for many communities across the nation. Mid-way through the program FEMA made an adjustment in light of the great need for new floodplain mapping in many areas across the nation. FEMA made the commitment to allocate some funds to perform new floodplain mapping when possible as a part of the DFIRM conversion process. Due to funding limitations only the top priority areas were mapped for most communities. The best available topographic, survey, basemap, hydrologic, hydraulic, and floodplain boundary mapping data are used to perform new studies as funding allows and these new studies are incorporated into the converted FIRMs and shown on the preliminary and final DFIRMs.

The DFIRM conversion projects take two or more years to complete. There is a lengthy data development and conversion component that must be completed before preliminary maps can be released to the affected communties for review and comment/appeal/protest. The timeframe from preliminary map release to the finalization of the maps (when the maps become effective for flood insurance rating purposes) is approximately fourteen months.

Multiple outreach efforts take place over the course of DFIRM conversion project. From scoping meetings prior to a project getting started to kickoff meetings and open houses when the preliminary maps and new study information are released the State works with FEMA and the communities to keep people informed regarding the project and timeline.

For more information regarding the FEMA Map Modernization Program click here and you will be redirected to the FEMA program site that contains additional reference materials, program statistics, and detailed program information.

The State of Montana faces a number of constraints when preparing DFIRMs, including:

• Limited funding: The funding available to the State is limited, and the yearly competition for funds is significant. There are not enough funds available to meet all identified flood map update needs. The State must equitably distribute available funds and utilize the funds for tasks that provide a high benefit at a modest cost. The State must, at a minimum, digitize the existing paper Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for each county and create a DFIRM.

• Cost- share: The State is obligated to provide a minimum of 20% cost-share to match the funds received from FEMA. This cost-share can come in the form of in-kind services or technical data from the State, localities, or Federal agencies. Digital topographic data, digital orthophotos, are some of the most highly-credited form of cost-share. It is less expensive to develop new flooplain mapping in Counties where recent, accurate, topographic data is already available.

• Production goals: FEMA is required to meet certain DFIRM production goals each fiscal year. The State, in turn, must meet those same goals. FEMA's national plan for DFIRM production generally depends on funding of a flood study in the middle of the first fiscal year, producing a preliminary DFIRM late in the next fiscal year, and legally adopting that map as the effective FIRM late in the third fiscal year. This constraint means that the community generally cannot afford to delay a flood map update project while waiting for data to be provided, or for other studies to be conducted. Once a Project is scoped and scheduled, production must proceed rapidly, and additional data often cannot be incorporated into the process after the Memorandum of Agreement is executed.

• National technical standards: The DFIRMs produced are for insurance ratings purposes and must be based on consistent technical standards. Theses standards specify the accuracy of the the topographic data used for the mapping process, the age and resolution of the orthophotos or other background maps, and the overall look of the DFIRM. While cost-share in the form of technical data from communities is highly desirable, not all data provided will meet the strict technical standards for DFIRM mapping. Specifically, topographic data must be certified by a professional surveyor or engineer to meet stringent accuracy standards. Similarly, community flood studies must also be certified by a registered professional engineer to meet the technical standards. The State cannot utilize data that does not meet the technical standards, and usually cannot delay production while the data is brought into conformance with the standards.

Click here to return to the main page