2023-00083. Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations

AGENCY:

Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Comments are requested on proposed flood hazard determinations, which may include additions or modifications of any Base Flood Elevation (BFE), base flood depth, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundary or zone designation, or regulatory floodway on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports for the communities listed in the table below. The purpose of this notice is to seek general information and comment regarding the preliminary FIRM, and where applicable, the FIS report that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided to the affected communities. The FIRM and FIS report are the basis of the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

DATES:

Comments are to be submitted on or before April 6, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

The Preliminary FIRM, and where applicable, the FIS report for each community are available for inspection at both the online location https://hazards.fema.gov/​femaportal/​prelimdownload and the respective Community Map Repository address listed in the tables below. Additionally, the current effective FIRM and FIS report for each community are accessible online through the FEMA Map Service Center at https://msc.fema.gov for comparison.

You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-2298, to Rick Sacbibit, Chief, Engineering Services Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, FEMA, 400 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20472, [phone], or (email) [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Rick Sacbibit, Chief, Engineering Services Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, FEMA, 400 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20472, [phone], or (email) [e-mail]; or visit the FEMA Mapping and Insurance eXchange (FMIX) online at https://www.floodmaps.fema.gov/​fhm/​fmx_​main.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

FEMA proposes to make flood hazard determinations for each community listed below, in accordance with section 110 of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, 42 U.S.C. 4104, and 44 CFR 67.4(a).

These proposed flood hazard determinations, together with the floodplain management criteria required by 44 CFR 60.3, are the minimum that are required. They should not be construed to mean that the community must change any existing ordinances that are more stringent in their floodplain management requirements. The community may at any time enact stricter requirements of its own or pursuant to policies established by other Federal, State, or regional entities. These flood hazard determinations are used to meet the floodplain management requirements of the NFIP.

The communities affected by the flood hazard determinations are provided in the tables below. Any request for reconsideration of the revised flood hazard information shown on the Preliminary FIRM and FIS report that satisfies the data requirements outlined in 44 CFR 67.6(b) is considered an appeal. Comments unrelated to the flood hazard determinations also will be considered before the FIRM and FIS report become effective.

Use of a Scientific Resolution Panel (SRP) is available to communities in support of the appeal resolution process. SRPs are independent panels of experts in hydrology, hydraulics, and other pertinent sciences established to review conflicting scientific and technical data and provide recommendations for resolution. Use of the SRP only may be exercised after FEMA and local communities have been engaged in a collaborative consultation process for at least 60 days without a mutually acceptable resolution of an appeal. Additional information regarding the SRP process can be found online at https://www.floodsrp.org/​pdfs/​srp_​overview.pdf.

The watersheds and/or communities affected are listed in the tables below. The Preliminary FIRM, and where applicable, FIS report for each community are available for inspection at both the online location https://hazards.fema.gov/​femaportal/​prelimdownload and the respective Community Map Repository address listed in the tables. For communities with multiple ongoing Preliminary studies, the studies can be identified by the unique project number and Preliminary FIRM date listed in the tables. Additionally, the current effective FIRM and FIS report for each community are accessible online through the FEMA Map Service Center at https://msc.fema.gov for comparison.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 97.022, “Flood Insurance.”)

Michael M. Grimm,

Assistant Administrator for Risk Management, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security.

Community	Community map repository address
Gwinnett County, Georgia and Incorporated Areas
Project: 18-04-0003S Preliminary Date: July 29, 2022
City of Dacula	City Hall, 442 Harbins Road, Dacula, GA 30019.
Unincorporated Areas of Gwinnett County	Gwinnett County Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046.
Fayette County, Iowa and Incorporated Areas
Project: 19-07-0018S Preliminary Date: July 20, 2022
City of Elgin	City Hall, 212 Main Street, Elgin, IA 52141.
City of Oelwein	City Hall, 20 2nd Avenue Southwest, Oelwein, IA 50662.
Unincorporated Areas of Fayette County	Fayette County Courthouse, 114 North Vine Street, West Union, IA 52175.
Dickinson County, Kansas and Incorporated Areas
Project: 17-07-0009S Preliminary Date: October 28, 2022
City of Abilene	Office of the City Inspector, 419 North Broadway Street, Abilene, KS 67410.
City of Chapman	City Hall, 446 North Marshall Street, Chapman, KS 67431.
City of Enterprise	City Hall, 206 South Factory Street, Enterprise, KS 67441.
City of Herington	City Office, 17 North Broadway, Herington, KS 67449.
City of Solomon	City Office, 116 West Main Street, Solomon, KS 67480.
Unincorporated Areas of Dickinson County	Dickinson County Courthouse, 109 East 1st Street, Suite 202, Abilene, KS 67410.
Carteret County, North Carolina and Incorporated Areas
Project: 11-04-0730S Preliminary Date: July 30, 2021
Town of Emerald Isle	Town Hall, 7500 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle, NC 28594.
Town of Indian Beach	Town Hall, 1400 Salter Path Road, Indian Beach, NC 28512.
Town of Pine Knoll Shores	Town Hall, 100 Municipal Circle, Pine Knoll Shores, NC 28512.
Unincorporated Areas of Carteret County	Carteret County Planning and Inspections Department, 402 Broad Street, Beaufort, NC 28516.