[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 111 (Friday, June 8, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30925-30927]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14440]


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FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY


Cooperating Technical Partners

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

ACTION: Notice of cooperating technical partners flood hazard mapping 
initiative (formerly known as Cooperating Technical Communities).

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SUMMARY: We (FEMA) give notice of the Cooperating Technical Partners 
initiative that will recognize and encourage participation by states, 
regional agencies, and communities in the flood hazard mapping process.

DATES: Funding available May 4, 2001 for FY 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Your FEMA Regional Cooperating 
Technical Partners Coordinator. We list contact names for the 
coordinators under Section (h) of this document.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: (a) Background. Throughout this notice, the 
terms ``we,'' ``our,'' and ``us,'' refers to FEMA. The term ``Partner'' 
(upper case ``P'') or ``CTP'' refers to a participant in the CTP 
initiative. We administer the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) 
and under section 1360 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 4101), we establish and update flood-risk zone data 
in floodplain areas. In the identification of flood-prone areas, we may 
consult with, receive information from, and enter into agreements or 
other arrangements with the head of any State, regional, or local 
agency in order to identify these floodplain areas.
    We are implementing the Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) 
concept as part of our Flood Map Modernization plan (http://www.fema.gov/library/mapmod.pdf). The initiative was formerly known as 
Cooperating Technical Communities. The CTP initiative will formally 
recognize and encourage the ongoing contributions that our mapping 
partners--States, regional agencies, and communities--make in assisting 
us in providing timely and accurate flood hazard information. The 
participating entity will enter into a partnership agreement with us to 
develop or maintain all or a component of its flood hazard maps.
    CTP collaborations will maximize the effectiveness of the limited 
local and Federal funding available for flood mapping, while 
maintaining consistent national standards. Through these partnerships, 
the integration of locally funded or developed flood and mapping data 
in the flood mapping process will enable contributing partners to 
expand the scope of our flood mapping efforts. We expect that this will 
result in enhanced responsibility for the maps by the partners and, in 
turn, heightened local awareness of flood risks, more effective 
floodplain management, and more accurate maps. The Cooperating 
Technical Partners initiative includes both locally funded and FEMA-
funded activities.
    Under the initiative, the Partner and we will enter a general 
overall agreement (CTP Agreement) that recognizes the fundamental 
importance of flood hazard identification, as well as flood insurance 
and floodplain management. Then, as the CTP and we identify specific 
flood mapping activities to undertake, the CTP and we will develop and 
enter into Mapping Activity Agreements under the umbrella of the 
overall CTP Agreement.
    We envision that most Mapping Activity Agreements will be 
collaborative efforts where both the CTP and FEMA contribute data and 
units of work to maximize the extent, accuracy, and utility of flood 
studies to best meet local and Federal needs, while minimizing costs 
for all parties. Federal funding will be limited even if we can 
allocate supplemental map modernization funding. In any event, we will 
allocate funding within the context of our flood study prioritization 
process.
    Additional Guidance is available at http://www.fema.gov/mit/tsd/CPT_main.htm.
    (b) Availability of Fiscal Year 2001 Funds. We have set aside 
approximately $8 million nation-wide for use by all FEMA Regional 
offices to fund CTP mapping activities in Fiscal Year 2001. We base the 
selection of CTP participants on floodplain mapping needs and on the 
partners' interest, contributions, and their capability to perform the 
types of eligible activities that we identified for the CTP initiative. 
Funding will be provided to eligible CTP applicants through the 
Cooperative Agreement process in accordance with Title 44 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations (CFR), part 13. Request for Federal Assistance 
(RFA) packages will be mailed to potential applicants from the FEMA 
Regional offices upon publication of this notice.
    (c) Eligibility. We intend the cooperative agreements awarded in 
this effort to supplement and not supplant on-going mapping efforts by 
the community, regional agency, or State. The FEMA funds would be in 
addition to the partner's current flood hazard mapping effort. Our 
Regional Offices will select partners based on the following criteria:
    (1) The CTP applicant must have existing processes or systems in 
place that support mapping or data collection activities that 
contribute to flood hazard identification. These ongoing processes or 
systems must be supported by non-federal funding.
    (2) The CTP applicant must have demonstrated the capability and 
commitment to perform the mapping activities for which it is applying. 
This capability may be indicated through (but not limited to) a FEMA 
Regional Office review of both previously prepared map products and of 
the Partner's existing processes or systems for the production of map 
products that are intended by the Partner to be utilized for CTP 
activities.
    (3) The CTP applicant must be a community participating in the 
NFIP, and be in good standing in the program as determined by our 
Regional Office, or be a State or regional agency that serves 
communities that participate in the NFIP.
    (4) The CTP applicant that will be receiving funds under a 
cooperative agreement must be able to perform the financial management 
activities required as part of the cooperative agreement (i.e., account 
for federal funds, prepare required performance and financial reports). 
Our regional offices will assist the communities with these financial 
management activities. FEMA-funded activities must meet the 
requirements of 44 CFR part 13, Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments. Part 
13 sets forth requirements for proper grant administration and 
management including, but not limited to, record-keeping, allowable 
costs, and the processes for use of contractors.
    (5) The CTP applicant must have in-house staff capabilities in the 
appropriate technical area for the given activity. If a portion of the 
activities is contracted, the CTP partner must have in-house staff 
capability to monitor the contractor as well as review and approve the 
products. For these purposes, ``capability'' means demonstrated 
experience in the performance of, or management through contracting of, 
similar activities.

[[Page 30926]]

    (6) The CTP that will be utilizing a contractor to perform FEMA-
funded activities must ensure that those contractors meet the 
requirements of 44 CFR part 13, Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments. 
Within part 13, Sec. 13.36 covers procurement standards that must be 
followed for any mapping related activities for which the CTP wishes to 
contract with another party. Items in this Part include, but are not 
limited to, contract administration and record keeping, notification 
requirements, review procedures, competition, methods of procurement, 
cost and pricing analysis. If desired, FEMA will provide assistance on 
developing selection criteria for contracted tasks. All work must meet 
the standards requirements and certification requirements described in 
sections (e) and (f) of this document.
    We will continue to evaluate these criteria and will further 
enhance them in subsequent years as necessary.
    (d) Activities. All of the eligible activities listed below contain 
the following benefits for both the CTP partner and for FEMA:
     Local capabilities in hazard identification and risk 
assessment--the building blocks for disaster resistance--will be 
enhanced through FEMA technical assistance, experience, standards, and 
funding;
     The data, methods, and mapping used for local, regional, 
and state permitting processes will also be used for NFIP mapping, to 
the extent possible;
     Close coordination and involvement in the flood hazard 
mapping process will result in more efficient local floodplain 
management by the CTC;
     The program has the potential to interject a tailored, 
local focus into a national program where unique conditions may exist 
that necessitate special approaches to flood hazard identification.
     By incorporating local knowledge and expertise, we expect 
that National Flood Insurance Program flood hazard maps will be more 
accurate and can be updated faster than current procedures allow.
    Mapping Activity Statements will support the development of flood 
hazard mapping or a component of the production and maintenance of 
flood hazard mapping. We will collaborate with the CTP on these mapping 
activities. We may provide technical assistance, support, and data to 
the CTP and in some cases funding may also be available. The following 
mapping activities may receive funding in Fiscal Year 20001 through a 
cooperative agreement with us:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Activity                   Partner             Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refinement of Approximate     Community/Regional    The CTP works with
 Zone A Boundaries.            State Agency.         FEMA to perform
                                                     analyses to refine
                                                     Zone A boundaries.
                                                     Emphasis placed on
                                                     automation
                                                     techniques.
Hydrologic & Hydraulic (H&H)  Community/Regional    The CTP develops
 Modeling and Floodplain       State Agency.         digital engineering
 Mapping.                                            data and floodplain
                                                     mapping using GIS-
                                                     based or
                                                     traditional H&H
                                                     modeling.
DFIRM Preparation...........  Community/Regional/   The CTP digitizes
                               State Agency.         the effective FIRM
                                                     into a DFIRM.
Redelineation of Detailed     Community/Regional/   The CTP redelineates
 Flood Hazard Information      State Agency.         the effective flood
 Using Updated Topographic                           hazard information
 Data.                                               using more up-to-
                                                     date topographic
                                                     data. GIS is used,
                                                     where available.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    While no funding will be provided to CTPs for the following mapping 
activities, we may provide technical assistance, support, and data to 
the CTP:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Activity                   Partner             Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base Map Inventory..........  Regional or State     The CTP performs an
                               Agency.               investigation and
                                                     provides an
                                                     inventory of base
                                                     maps meeting FEMA's
                                                     specifications for
                                                     NFIP communities in
                                                     the state.
Digital Base Map Data         Community/Regional/   The CTP supplies a
 Sharing.                      State Agency.         base map for DFIRM
                                                     production. The
                                                     base map will
                                                     comply with FEMA's
                                                     minimum accuracy
                                                     requirements and be
                                                     distributable by
                                                     FEMA to the public
                                                     (hardcopy and
                                                     electronic
                                                     formats).
DFIRM Maintenance...........  Community/Regional/   The CTP assumes
                               State Agency.         responsibility for
                                                     long-term, periodic
                                                     maintenance of the
                                                     DFIRM. This can
                                                     include base map
                                                     and/or flood
                                                     information.
Hydrologic and Hydraulic      Community/Regional/   The CTP evaluates
 Review Agreement--*This       State Agency.         H&H studies
 activity is currently being                         prepared for flood
 considered as a pilot                               data updates and/or
 activity.                                           44 CFR Part 65 map
                                                     revisions. The
                                                     review will focus
                                                     on compliance with
                                                     the technical and
                                                     regulatory
                                                     requirements
                                                     contained in FEMA's
                                                     various flood
                                                     mapping guidelines
                                                     and specifications,
                                                     the pertinent NFIP
                                                     flood mapping
                                                     regulations, as
                                                     well as standard
                                                     accepted
                                                     engineering
                                                     practices.
Analysis of Community         Regional/State        The CTP performs a
 Mapping Needs (to support     Agency.               detailed community-
 FEMA's Mapping Needs Update                         by-community
 Support System (MNUSS)).                            investigation and
                                                     assessment of every
                                                     NFIP community's
                                                     mapping needs,
                                                     including flood
                                                     data updates, map
                                                     maintenance, and
                                                     includes unmapped
                                                     communities.

[[Page 30927]]

 
Technical Standards           Community/Regional/   Adoption of specific
 Agreement.                    State Agency.         technical standards
                                                     or processes
                                                     appropriate for
                                                     local conditions
                                                     for NFIP flood
                                                     mapping purposes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Standards. Unless otherwise indicated in specific Mapping 
Activity Statements, all flood hazard identification activities will be 
accomplished according to the relevant portions of 44 CFR parts 59-77, 
as well as the technical standards contained in FEMA's Guidelines and 
Specifications for Study Contractors (FEMA 37) dated 1/95 and FEMA's 
Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Map Production Coordination 
Contractors dated 2/17/99, and all subsequent revision to these 
documents.
    (f) Certification. All data generated under CTP Mapping Activity 
Statements must meet the applicable certification requirements for the 
identification and publication of flood hazard information in Flood 
Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) form as indicated in 44 CFR, part 65, 
Identification and Mapping of Special Hazard Areas. For those States 
that have adopted more stringent mapping requirements that have been 
sanctioned by FEMA, all Mapping Activity Statements must be reviewed, 
coordinated with, and concurred upon by the State and all map products 
must meet State certification requirements.
    (g) Evaluation Criteria. The performance of each CTP will be 
evaluated upon completion of the period of performance for each Mapping 
Activity Statement. This evaluation will determine the adequacy of the 
performance by the CTP and the eligibility for future Mapping Activity 
Statements to be initiated. Insufficient performance by the CTP may 
result in cancellation of FEMA funding at any point during the period 
of performance for a Mapping Activity Statement. Evaluation will be 
based upon the following criteria:
    (1) The continued maintenance, (funded/supported by the CTP), for 
existing and/or future processes or systems in place to support mapping 
or data collection activities that contribute to flood hazard 
identification, e.g., continued data collection for changing flood 
hazards and related development, continued upgrades to data collection 
or mapping capabilities to incorporate new technologies, preparation of 
multi-year mapping or data collection plans, etc.
    (2) The demonstrated commitment by the CTP for existing and 
continued support of flood hazard identification and mapping activities 
conducted with and by FEMA.
    (3) Adherence to timeliness and completeness of report submittal to 
the Regional Office.
    (4) Adherence to timeliness and completeness of mapping product 
submittal to the Regional Office.
    (5) Quality of product(s) submitted to the Regional Office.
    (6) Ability to cooperate and coordinate with the FEMA Regional 
Office, the Technical Services Division of the Mitigation Directorate 
in Washington, and/or FEMA's Mapping Coordination Contractor during all 
phases of the Mapping Activity as needed.
    (h) Cooperating Technical Partners Regional Contacts.
    Region 1: (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode 
Island, and Vermont), Dean Savramis, 442 J.W. McCormack POCH, Boston, 
MA 02109, Telephone: (617) 223-9564, (e-mail) [email protected].
    Region 2: (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands), Paul 
Weberg, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 1337, New York, NY 10278, (212) 225-
7229, (e-mail) [email protected].
    Region 3: (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West 
Virginia, District of Columbia), Erik Rourke, 615 Chestnut Street, 6th 
Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106, (215) 931-5665, (e-mail) 
[email protected].
    Region 4: (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North 
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee), Laura Algeo, 3003 Chamblee Tucker 
Rd., Atlanta, GA 30341, Telephone: (770) 220-5515, (e-mail) 
[email protected].
    Region 5: (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and 
Wisconsin), Ken Hinterlong, 536 S. Clark Street, 6th Floor, Chicago, IL 
60605, Telephone: (312) 408-5529, (e-mail) [email protected].
    Region 6: (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas), 
Jack Quarles, FRC 800 North Loop 288, Denton, TX 76210, Telephone: 
(817) 898-5156, (e-mail) [email protected].
    Region 7: (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska), Bob Franke, 2323 
Grand Avenue, Suite 900, Kansas City, MO 64108, Telephone: (816) 283-
7073, (e-mail) [email protected]
    Region 8: (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, 
Wyoming), John Liou, Denver Federal Center, Bldg. 710, Box 25267, 
Denver, CO 80225, Telephone: (303) 235-4836, (e-mail) 
[email protected].
    Region 9: (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, 
Guam), Les Sakumoto, Bldg. 105, Presidio of San Francisco, San 
Francisco, CA 94129, Telephone: (415) 923-7183, (e-mail) 
[email protected].
    Region 10: (Alaska, Idaho, and Oregon, Washington), Larry Basich, 
Federal Regional Center, 130-228th Street, Bothell, WA 98021, 
Telephone: (425) 487-4703, (e-mail) [email protected].

    Dated: June 4, 2001.
Margaret E. Lawless,
Acting Executive Associate Director for Mitigation.
[FR Doc. 01-14440 Filed 6-7-01; 8:45 am]
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