[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 170 (Friday, August 30, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46334-46335]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22076]



  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 170 / Friday, August 30, 1996 / 
Notices  

[[Page 46334]]



FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY


Fee Schedule for Processing Requests for Map Changes and for 
Flood Insurance Study Backup Data for FY 1997

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice contains the revised fee schedules for processing 
certain requests for changes to National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) 
maps and for processing requests for Flood Insurance Study (FIS) backup 
data. The changes in the fee schedules will allow FEMA to reduce 
further the expenses to the NFIP by recovering more fully the costs 
associated with (1) processing conditional and final map change 
requests and (2) retrieving, reproducing, and distributing technical 
and administrative support data related to FIS analyses and mapping.

DATES: The revised fee schedules are effective October 1, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael K. Buckley, P.E., Chief, 
Hazard Identification Branch, 500 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20472; 
(202) 646-2756 or by facsimile at (202) 646-4596 (not toll-free calls).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice contains the revised fee 
schedules for processing certain requests for changes to National Flood 
Insurance Program (NFIP) maps and for processing requests for Flood 
Insurance Study (FIS) backup data. The revised fee schedule for map 
changes is effective October 1, 1996, in accordance with the rule for 
changes to 44 CFR parts 65, 70, and 72, published elsewhere in this 
edition of the Federal Register, and supersedes the current fee 
schedule established on June 30, 1992.
    The revised fee schedule for requests for FIS backup data also is 
effective October 1, 1996, and supersedes the current fee schedule, 
also published in the Federal Register.
    The basis for the initial fees, flat user fees, and hourly rates 
for requests for Conditional Letters of Map Amendment (CLOMAs), 
Conditional Letters of Map Revision Based on Fill (CLOMR-Fs), 
Conditional Letters of Map Revision (CLOMRs), Letters of Map Revision 
Based on Fill (LOMR-Fs), Letters of Map Revision (LOMRs), and Physical 
Map Revisions and requests for FIS backup data received by FEMA on or 
after October 1, 1996 are provided in the separately published rule.
    A primary component of the fees is the prevailing private-sector 
rates charged to FEMA for labor and materials. Because these rates and 
the actual review and processing costs may vary from year to year, FEMA 
will publish revised fee schedules periodically, when needed, as 
notices in the Federal Register.

Simplification of Fee Schedule for Conditional and Final Map 
Changes

    The existing fee collection process is complex and its 
administration requires time-intensive efforts on the part of FEMA. It 
also increases the time required to provide requesters with the product 
they require. The current system requires requesters to submit an 
initial fee that is not intended to cover the full review and 
processing costs or the cartographic production costs. Requesters 
subsequently receive invoices for the balance. The current system is 
complicated further by the pre-authorized spending limits placed on 
each product. When FEMA determines that these limits will be exceeded, 
written authorization must be obtained before proceeding with their 
review. Processing the request is delayed until the written 
authorization is received.
    FEMA has streamlined the process by (1) charging flat user fees for 
most map change products and services; (2) requiring full payment of 
fees before work is begun on most map change requests; (3) 
consolidating similar products or services into a limited number of 
user fee categories; and (4) limiting the number of products for which 
requesters may receive exemptions from payment of fees. As a result, 
requesters and FEMA know the cost of providing a product or service 
before any work is begun.
    The initial fee for requests for LOMRs and CLOMRs based on 
structural measures on alluvial fans has been maintained because (1) 
such requests are rare, (2) the FEMA review for these requests is 
usually very complex, and (3) the costs involved in processing the 
requests can fluctuate significantly.

Fees for Conditional and Final Map Revisions Based on Structural 
Measures on Alluvial Fans

    Based on a review of actual cost data for Fiscal Year 1995, FEMA 
established $5,000 as the initial fee for requests for LOMRs and CLOMRs 
based on structural measures on alluvial fans. The remainder of the 
review and costs is to be recovered by invoicing the requester before 
FEMA issues a determination letter, consistent with current practice. 
The prevailing private-sector labor rate charged to FEMA ($50/hour) 
shall be used to calculate the total fees that must be reimbursed.

Fee Schedule for Conditional Letters of Map Amendment and 
Conditional and Final Letters of Map Revision Based on Fill

    Based on a review of actual cost data for Fiscal Year 1995, FEMA 
established the following flat user fees, which are to be submitted by 
requesters with requests received by FEMA on and after October 1, 1996:

Single-lot/single-structure CLOMA, CLOMR-F, and LOMR-F.............$400
Multiple-lot/multiple-structure CLOMA..............................$700
Multiple-lot/multiple-structure CLOMR-F and LOMR-F.................$800

Fee Schedule for Map Revisions

    Unless the request is otherwise exempted under 44 CFR 72.5, the 
flat user fees shown below are to be submitted by requesters with 
requests for LOMRs and Physical Map Revisions that are not based on 
structural measures on alluvial fans that are received by FEMA on and 
after October 1, 1996. These fees are based on a review of actual cost 
data for Fiscal Year 1995.

Request based on bridge, culvert, channel, or combination thereof
                                                                 $3,700
Request based on levee, berm, or other structural measure........$4,300
Request submitted as followup to CLOMR.
Request based solely on submission of more detailed data.........$2,300

Fee Schedule for Conditional Map Revisions

    Unless the request is otherwise exempted under 44 CFR 72.5, the 
flat user fees shown below are to be submitted by requesters with 
requests for CLOMRs that are not based on structural measures on 
alluvial fans that are received by FEMA on and after October 1, 1996. 
These fees are based on a review of actual cost data for Fiscal Year 
1995.

Request based on new hydrology, bridge, culvert, channel, or 
combination......................................................$3,100
Request based on levee, berm, or other structural measure........$3,300

Fee Schedule for Requests for Flood Insurance Study Backup Data

    The user fees shown below are to be submitted by requesters with 
requests for FIS backup data that are received by FEMA on and after 
October 1, 1996. These fees are based on a review of actual cost data 
for Fiscal Year 1995. They are based on the complete recovery of FEMA's 
costs for retrieving, reproducing, and distributing the data, as well 
as a pro rata share of the costs

[[Page 46335]]

for maintaining the data and operating the fee reimbursement system.
    As under the previous fee schedule, all entities except FEMA's 
Study Contractors, FEMA's Technical Evaluation Contractors, and the 
Federal agencies involved in performing FISs (i.e., U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey, Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Tennessee 
Valley Authority) will be charged for requests for FIS backup data. The 
only exception is that one copy of the FIS backup data will be provided 
to a community free of charge if the data are requested during the 
statutory 90-day appeal period for an FIS.
    FEMA has established seven categories into which requests for FIS 
backup data are separated. These categories are:
    (1) Category 1--Paper copies or microfiche of hydrologic and 
hydraulic backup data for current FIS
    (2) Category 2--Paper copies of topographic mapping developed 
during FIS process
    (3) Category 3--Paper copies of survey notes developed during FIS 
process
    (4) Category 4--Paper copies of individual Letters of Map Change
    (5) Category 5--Paper copies of preliminary map panels
    (6) Category 6--Computer tapes of Digital Line Graph files
    (7) Category 7--Computer diskettes and user's manuals for FEMA 
programs
    The costs of processing requests in Categories 1, 2, and 3 above 
will vary based on the complexity of the research involved in 
retrieving the data and the volume and medium of data to be reproduced 
and distributed. For these categories of requests, FEMA will require 
the payment of an initial minimum fee, shown below, to cover the 
preliminary costs of research and retrieval. This fee will then be 
applied against the total labor costs, and the requester will be 
invoiced for the remainder of the fees. No data will be provided to a 
requester until all required fees have been paid.
    The costs for processing requests under Categories 4 through 7 
above will not vary. Therefore, FEMA has established flat user fees for 
these categories of requests.

Initial Fee for Requests in Categories 1, 2, and 3 (per request) 
                                                                    $90
Labor Fee for Requests in Categories 1, 2, and 3 (per hour).........$33
Library Maintenance Fee for Requests in Categories 1, 2, and 3 
(per request).......................................................$28
Microfiche Production Fee for Requests in Categories 1, 2, and 3 
(per request).......................................................$22
Overhead Fee for Requests in Categories 1, 2, and 3 (per request)
                                                                    $43
Total Fee for Category 4 Requests (per letter)......................$40
Total Fee for Category 5 Requests (first panel).....................$35
Total Fee for Category 5 Requests (additional panels)................$2
Total Fee for Category 6 Requests (per community)..................$150
Total Fee for Category 7 Requests (per copy)........................$25

Payment Submission Requirements

    Fee payments must be made in advance of services being rendered. 
These payments are to be in the form of a check or money order or by 
credit card payment. Checks and money orders are to be made payable, in 
U.S. funds, to the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA will provide 
receipts to requesters for their records or billing purposes.
    The fees collected will be deposited to the National Flood 
Insurance Fund, which is the source of funding for providing these 
services.

    Dated: August 23, 1996.
Richard W. Krimm,
Acting Associate Director, Mitigation Directorate.
[FR Doc. 96-22076 Filed 8-29-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-04-P