Flood Risk Mapping Guidelines and Standards: Spring 2015 update
Flood Risk Mapping Guidelines and Standards: Spring 2015 update
FEMA maintains guidelines and standards to support the Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (MAP) program. These guidelines and standards define the specific implementation of the statutory and regulatory requirements (NFIP flood risk analysis and mapping, and address the performance of flood risk projects, processing of letters of map change and related Risk MAP activities.
In 2011, FEMA undertook a multi-year project to improve the way guidelines and standards are published, maintained and used. The final product of the initial phase of work was the Policy for Flood Risk Analysis and Mapping, published in August 2013, which comprises the standards for practitioners of the Risk MAP program. This policy outlines FEMA’s requirements to produce better overall consistency and more efficient operation of mapping activities.
FEMA established a maintenance plan for the Risk MAP Guidelines and Standards and plans to issue updates on a semi-annual basis. As part of the Spring 2015 update, a public review announcement is made to provide an opportunity for comment prior to incorporation into the policy. This announcement lists proposed updates to existing standards and drafts of new standards. FEMA intends to publish these standards as a part of the Policy for Flood Risk Analysis and Mapping. Comments may be provided via email to FEMA.GS@riskmapcds.com. Comments received prior to March 1, 2015, will be reviewed and addressed as appropriate before the standards are finalized.