[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 6 (Monday, January 11, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1625-1627]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-526]


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FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY


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

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).


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ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice contains the revised fee schedules for processing 
certain requests that you (the requester) make 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 us (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.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The revised fee schedules are effective for all 
requests dated March 1, 1999, or later.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew B. Miller, P.E., Chief, 
Hazards Study Branch, Mitigation Directorate, 500 C Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20472; (202) 646-3461 or by facsimile at (202) 646-4596 
(not toll-free calls), or (email) [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice contains the revised fee 
schedules for processing certain requests for changes to NFIP maps and 
for processing requests for FIS backup data. The revised fee schedule 
for map changes is effective for all requests dated March 1, 1999, or 
later. It supersedes the current fee schedule, which was established on 
March 10, 1997.
    The revised fee schedule for requests for FIS backup data also is 
effective for all requests dated March 1, 1999, or later. It supersedes 
the current fee schedule, which was established on March 10, 1997.
    To develop the revised fee schedules, we evaluated the actual costs 
of reviewing and processing 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 (PMRs) and requests for FIS backup data.
    As we indicated in the Federal Register notice published on 
February 6, 1997, a primary component of the fees is the prevailing 
private-sector rates charged to us for labor and materials. Because 
these rates and the actual review and processing costs may vary from 
year to year, we will evaluate the fees periodically and publish 
revised fee schedules, when needed, as notices in the Federal Register.

Fee Schedule for Requests 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 1997, we 
maintained the following flat user fees, which are to be submitted with 
all requests:
     Request for single-lot/single-structure CLOMA, CLOMR-F, 
and LOMR-F--$400.
     Request for single-lot/single-structure LOMR-F based on 
as-built information (CLOMR-F previously issued by FEMA)--$300.
     Request for multiple-lot/multiple-structure CLOMA--$700.
     Request for multiple-lot/multiple-structure CLOMR-F and 
LOMR-F--$800.
     Request for multiple-lot/multiple-structure LOMR-F based 
on as-built information (CLOMR-F previously issued by FEMA)--$700.

Fee Schedule for Requests for Conditional Map Revisions

    Unless the request is otherwise exempted under 44 CFR 72.5, you 
(the requester) must submit the flat user fees shown below with 
requests for CLOMRs dated March 1, 1999, or later that are not based on 
structural measures on alluvial fans. These fees are based on a review 
of actual cost data for Fiscal Year 1997.
     Request based on new hydrology, bridge, culvert, channel, 
or combination thereof--$3,100.
     Request based on levee, berm, or other structural 
measure--$4,000.

Fee Schedule for Requests for Map Revisions

    Unless the request is otherwise exempted under 44 CFR 72.5, you 
must submit the flat user fees shown below with requests for LOMRs and 
PMRs dated March 1, 1999, or later that are not based on structural 
measures on alluvial fans. These fees are based on a review of actual 
cost data for Fiscal Year 1997.
     Request based on bridge, culvert, channel, or combination 
thereof--$4,000.
     Request based on levee, berm, or other structural 
measure--$4,700.
     Request based on as-built information submitted as 
followup to CLOMR--$3,400.
     Request based solely on submission of more detailed data--
$3,100.

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 1997, we 
maintained $5,000 as the initial fee for your requests for LOMRs and 
CLOMRs based on structural measures on alluvial fans. We also will 
continue to recover the remainder of the review and processing costs by 
invoicing the requester before issuing a determination letter, 
consistent with current practice. The prevailing private-sector labor 
rate charged to we ($50 per hour) will continue to use to calculate the 
total reimbursable fees.

Fee Schedule for Requests for Flood Insurance Study Backup Data

    You must submit the user fees shown below with your requests for 
FIS backup data dated March 1, 1999, or later. These fees are based on 
a review of actual cost data for Fiscal Year 1997. They are based on 
the complete recovery of our costs for retrieving, reproducing, and 
distributing the data, as well as a pro rata share of the costs for 
maintaining the data and operating the fee reimbursement system.
    As under the previous fee schedule, all entities except the 
following will be charged for requests for FIS backup data: our Study 
Contractors; our Technical Evaluation Contractors; the Federal agencies 
involved in performing studies and restudies for us (i.e., U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey, Natural Resources 
Conservation Service, and Tennessee Valley Authority); communities that 
have supplied the Digital Line Graph base to us and request the Digital 
Line Graph data (Category 6 below); State NFIP Coordinators if the data 
have not already been provided on microfiche or CD-ROM or if the State 
is actively involved in performing a study or restudy that will be used 
by us to update NFIP maps. The only other 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 
initial or revised FIS for that community.
    We have established seven categories into which we separate 
requests for FIS backup data. These categories are:
    (1) Category 1--Paper copies, microfiche, or diskettes of 
hydrologic and hydraulic backup data for current or historical FISs
    (2) Category 2--Paper or mylar copies of topographic mapping 
developed during FIS process
    (3) Category 3--Paper copies or microfiche 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 Flood Insurance Rate 
Map

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or Flood Boundary and Floodway Map panels
    (6) Category 6--Computer tapes or CD-ROMs of Digital Line Graph 
files
    (7) Category 7--Computer diskettes and user's manuals for our 
computer programs
    You must submit a non-refundable fee of $140, to cover the 
preliminary costs of research and retrieval, to begin requests for data 
under Categories 1, 2, and 3. The total 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. The initial fee will be applied 
against the total costs to process the request, and we will invoice you 
for the balance before the data are provided. No data will be provided 
to you until all required fees have been paid.
    We do not require an initial fee to begin a request for data under 
Categories 4 through 7. We will notify you by telephone about the 
availability of materials and the fees associated with requested data. 
As with requests for data under Categories 1, 2, and 3, we will not 
provide any data to you until you pay all required fees.
    The costs for processing requests under Categories 4 through 7 have 
not varied. Therefore, the flat user fees for these categories of 
requests, shown below, will continue to be required.

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                                                                 Dollars
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Request Under Category 4:
  First letter................................................        40
  Each additional letter......................................        10
Request Under Category 5:
  First panel.................................................        35
  Each additional panel.......................................         2
Request Under Category 6 (per county).........................       150
Request Under Category 7 (per copy)...........................        25
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Payment Submission Requirements

    You must make fee payments before we render services. You must make 
these payments by check, by money order, or by credit card payment. 
Make checks and money orders payable, in U.S. funds, to the National 
Flood Insurance Program.
    We will deposit the fees we collect in the National Flood Insurance 
Fund, which is the source of funding for providing these services.

    Dated: January 6, 1999.
Michael J. Armstrong,
Associate Director for Mitigation.
[FR Doc. 99-526 Filed 1-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-04-P