2013-19430. Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations

AGENCY:

Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

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). In addition, the FIRM and FIS report, once effective, will be used by insurance agents and others to calculate appropriate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and the contents of those buildings.

DATES:

Comments are to be submitted on or before November 12, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

The Preliminary FIRM, and where applicable, the FIS report for each community are available for inspection at both the online location 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 www.msc.fema.gov for comparison.

You may submit comments, identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-1344, to Luis Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, FEMA, 500 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20472, [phone], or (email) [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Luis Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, FEMA, 500 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20472, [phone], or (email) [e-mail]; or visit the FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX) online at 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 and also are used to calculate the appropriate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings built after the FIRM and FIS report become effective.

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 http://floodsrp.org/​pdfs/​srp_​fact_​sheet.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 and the respective Community Map Repository address 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 www.msc.fema.gov for comparison.

I. Non-watershed-based studies:

Community	Community map repository address
City of Chesapeake, Virginia (Independent City)
Maps Available for Inspection Online at: http://www.fema.gov/​preliminaryfloodhazarddata
City of Chesapeake	Planning Department, 306 Cedar Road, 2nd Floor, Chesapeake, VA 23322.
City of Newport News, Virginia (Independent City)
Maps Available for Inspection Online at: http://www.fema.gov/​preliminaryfloodhazarddata
City of Newport News	Department of Engineering, 2400 Washington Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607.
Chambers County, Texas, and Incorporated Areas
Maps Available for Inspection Online at: http://www.fema.gov/​preliminaryfloodhazarddata
City of Anahuac	City Hall, 501 Miller Street, Anahuac, TX 77514.
City of Baytown	City Hall, 2401 Market Street, Baytown, TX 77522.
City of Beach City	Community Building, 12723 Farm to Market 2354, Beach City, TX 77523.
City of Cove	City Hall, 7911 Cove Road, Cove, TX 77523.
City of Mont Belvieu	City Hall, 11607 Eagle Drive, Mont Belvieu, TX 77580.
City of Old River-Winfree	City Hall, 4818 North Farm to Market 565 Road, Old River-Winfree, TX 77523.
Unincorporated Areas of Chambers County	Chambers County Emergency Management Department, 404 Washington Avenue, Anahuac, TX 77514.

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

Dated: July 26, 2013.

Roy E. Wright,

Deputy Associate Administrator for Mitigation, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency.