2023-04523. 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 June 5, 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-2319, 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
Bullock County, Alabama and Incorporated Areas
Project: 18-04-0030S Preliminary Dates: February 2, 2022 and July 12, 2022
City of Union Springs	City Hall, 212 Prairie Street North, Union Springs, AL 36089.
Unincorporated Areas of Bullock County	Bullock County Revenue Commissioner's Office, 217 North Prairie Street, #102, Union Springs, AL 36089.
Elmore County, Alabama and Incorporated Areas
Project: 18-04-0030S Preliminary Dates: February 2, 2022 and July 12, 2022
City of Tallassee	City Hall, 3 Freeman Avenue, Tallassee, AL 36078.
City of Wetumpka	City Hall, 408 South Main Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092.
Unincorporated Areas of Elmore County	Elmore County Highway Department, 155 County Shop Road, Wetumpka, AL 36092.
Lee County, Alabama and Incorporated Areas
Project: 18-04-0030S Preliminary Dates: February 2, 2022 and July 12, 2022
City of Auburn	Planning and Development, 171 North Ross Street, Auburn, AL 36830.
City of Opelika	Planning Department, 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, AL 36801.
Town of Notasulga	Town Hall, 76 West Main Street, Notasulga, AL 36866.
Unincorporated Areas of Lee County	Lee County Building Inspection, 100 Orr Avenue, Opelika, AL 36801.
Macon County, Alabama and Incorporated Areas
Project: 18-04-0030S Preliminary Dates: February 2, 2022 and July 12, 2022
City of Tuskegee	Municipal Complex, 101 Fonville Street, Tuskegee, AL 36083.
Town of Franklin	Franklin Police Department, 1660 Alabama Highway 49, Tuskegee, AL 36083.
Town of Notasulga	Town Hall, 76 West Main Street, Notasulga, AL 36866.
Town of Shorter	Town Hall, 2427 Old Federal Road, Shorter, AL 36075.
Unincorporated Areas of Macon County	Macon County Courthouse, 101 East Rosa Parks Avenue, Tuskegee, AL 36083.
Montgomery County, Alabama and Incorporated Areas
Project: 18-04-0030S Preliminary Dates: February 2, 2022 and July 12, 2022
City of Montgomery	City Hall, 103 North Perry Street, Montgomery, AL 36104.
Town of Pike Road	Town Hall, 9575 Vaughn Road, Pike Road, AL 36064.
Unincorporated Areas of Montgomery County	Montgomery County Courthouse Annex, 100 South Lawrence Street, Montgomery, AL 36104.
Russell County, Alabama and Incorporated Areas
Project: 18-04-0030S Preliminary Date: February 2, 2022
Unincorporated Areas of Russell County	Russell County Highway Department, 97 Poorhouse Road, Seale, AL 36875.
Tallapoosa County, Alabama and Incorporated Areas
Project: 18-04-0030S Preliminary Dates: February 2, 2022 and July 12, 2022
City of Tallassee	City Hall, 3 Freeman Avenue, Tallassee, AL 36078.
Unincorporated Areas of Tallapoosa County	Tallapoosa County Courthouse, 125 North Broadnax Street, Dadeville, AL 36853.