[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 83 (Tuesday, April 30, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21237-21240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-10559]


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FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY


Cooperating Technical Partners Program

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

ACTION: Notice of Cooperating Technical Partners Flood Hazard Mapping 
Program.

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SUMMARY: FEMA gives notice of the requirements for the Cooperating 
Technical Partners Program (previously known as Cooperating Technical 
Communities initiative) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2002.

DATES: FEMA has $14 million available nationwide for funding partner 
projects in FY 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FEMA Regional Cooperating 
Technical Partners (CTP) Coordinators for your region. We list names, 
addresses, and telephone numbers for the Regional CTP Coordinators at 
the end of this Notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 21238]]

Background

    FEMA administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and, 
under the authority of section 1360 of the National Flood Insurance Act 
of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4101) establishes and updates flood-risk zone data 
in floodplain areas. In the identification of floodprone 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 floodprone areas.
    We are implementing the Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) 
program as part of our Flood Map Modernization Program. The plan 
document for our Map Modernization Program and progress reports 
concerning the Program are available at http://www.fema.gov/library/mapmod.pdf. The program, previously known as the Cooperating Technical 
Communities program, formally recognizes and encourages the 
contributions that our Flood Hazard Mapping Partners (State agencies, 
regional agencies, tribal governments, and communities) make in 
developing timely and accurate flood hazard information. FEMA 
anticipates publishing regulations for this program by the end of 
fiscal year 2002. We strongly encourage partner contributions to flood 
hazard data development, which are a key part of the program.
    Establishing formal partnerships with State, regional, and local 
organizations to produce NFIP maps is beneficial for the following 
reasons:
     The data used for local permitting and planning will also 
be the basis for the NFIP map, facilitating more efficient floodplain 
management;
     The CTP program provides the opportunity to interject a 
tailored, local focus into a national program; thus, where unique 
conditions may exist, we can take needed special approaches to flood 
hazard identification; and
     The partnership mechanism provides the opportunity to pool 
resources and extend the productivity of limited public funds.
    Under this program, the partners will enter into a general overall 
agreement that recognizes the fundamental importance of flood hazard 
identification, flood insurance, and floodplain management. Then, 
through a collaborative process, the partners will identify the 
specific flood mapping activities to be undertaken. If this process 
results in CTP activities that we will support with FEMA funds, the 
partners will enter into a Cooperative Agreement and define the roles 
and responsibilities for each Flood Map Project through agreements 
termed Mapping Activity Statements. The intent of any Cooperative 
Agreement and accompanying funds that we award is to supplement and not 
to supplant ongoing mapping efforts by the community, regional agency, 
or State agency. Further, we envision that this collaborative process 
will maximize the extent, accuracy, and utility of flood studies to 
best meet local and Federal needs, while minimizing costs for all 
parties.
    Additional guidance on the program is available at http://www.fema.gov/mit/tsd/ctp_main.htm.

Availability of Fiscal Year 2002 Funds

    We have set aside approximately $15 million nationwide for use by 
all FEMA Regional Offices to fund CTP mapping activities in fiscal year 
2002 (October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2002). We base the 
selection of CTP participants on floodplain mapping needs and 
capability to perform the types of eligible activities that we 
identified for the CTP program. A significant factor in the selection 
process will be the partner contribution to the project. We will 
provide funding to eligible CTP applicants through the Cooperative 
Agreement process in accordance with 44 CFR part 13, Uniform 
Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to 
State and Local Governments, which we will allocate as part of our 
flood study prioritization process. Upon publication of this notice, 
our Regional Offices will mail Request for Federal Assistance (RFA) 
packages to potential applicants.

Eligibility

    Our Regional Offices will select partners based on the following 
criteria:
    (1) The CTP applicant must be a community participating in the NFIP 
and be in good standing in the program as determined by FEMA, or be a 
State or regional agency that serves communities that participate in 
the NFIP.
    (2) The CTP applicant must have existing processes or systems in 
place that support mapping or data collection activities that 
contribute to flood hazard identification. Non-federal funding must 
support these ongoing processes or systems.
    (3) The CTP applicant must have the capability and commitment to 
perform the mapping activities for which it is applying. We require a 
demonstration of this capability, which an applicant may demonstrate 
through (but not limited to) a Regional Office review of both 
previously prepared map products and the applicant's existing processes 
or systems for the production of map products that the applicant 
intends to use for CTP activities.
    (4) The CTP applicant that will receive 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 can assist the communities with these financial 
management activities, if questions arise. FEMA-funded activities must 
meet the requirements of 44 CFR part 13. Part 13 sets forth 
requirements for proper grant administration and management including 
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 the applicant 
contracts out a portion of the activities, the CTP applicant must have 
in-house staff capability to monitor the contractor as well as review 
and approve the resulting products. For these purposes, ``capability'' 
means ``demonstrated experience in the performance, or management of, 
similar activities.''
    (6) CTP applicants that use contactors to perform FEMA-funded 
activities must ensure that those contractors meet the requirements of 
44 CFR Part 13. Within Part 13, section 13.36 covers procurement 
standards that must be followed for any mapping-related activities for 
which the CTP applicant wishes to contract with another party. Items in 
this part include contract administration and record-keeping, 
notification requirements, review procedures, competition, methods of 
procurement, and cost and pricing analysis. If desired, our Regional 
Offices will provide assistance on developing selection criteria for 
contracted tasks. All work must meet the standards and certification 
requirements described in Subsections Standards and Certification 
below.

Activities

    As stated previously, Mapping Activity Statements will define the 
roles and responsibilities of the all partners, including contractors 
to the CTP applicant and FEMA, in the production or maintenance of 
flood hazard maps. FEMA support may include technical assistance, data, 
and funding.
    (1) Funded Activities: In Fiscal Year 2002, the following mapping 
activities are eligible for funding:

[[Page 21239]]



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                 Activity                                   Partner                          Description
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Refinement or Creation of Zone A.........  Community/Regional Agency/State Agency..  The CTP works with FEMA to
                                                                                      perform analyses to refine
                                                                                      Zone A boundaries shown on
                                                                                      the effective FIRM or
                                                                                      create new Zone A areas to
                                                                                      be included on the FIRM.
                                                                                      We will emphasize
                                                                                      automated analysis and
                                                                                      production techniques.
Hydrologic & Hydraulic (Modeling and       Community/Regional Agency/State Agency..  The CTP develops digital
 Floodplain Mapping).                                                                 engineering data and
                                                                                      floodplain mapping using
                                                                                      Geographic Information
                                                                                      System (GIS)-based or
                                                                                      traditional hydrologic and
                                                                                      hydraulic analysis
                                                                                      methods.
Coastal Flood Hazard Analyses and          Community/Regional Agency/State Agency..  The CTP develops digital
 Floodplain Mapping.                                                                  engineering data and
                                                                                      floodplain mapping using
                                                                                      GIS-based or traditional
                                                                                      coastal flood hazard
                                                                                      analysis methods.
Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map           Community/Regional Agency/State Agency..  The CTP digitizes the
 Preparation.                                                                         effective hardcopy Flood
                                                                                      Insurance Rate Map and
                                                                                      prepares a Digital FIRM in
                                                                                      accordance with FEMA
                                                                                      specifications.
Re-delineation of Detailed Floodplain      Community/Regional Agency/State Agency..  The CTP re-delineates the
 Boundaries Using Updated Topographic                                                 effective floodplain
 Data.                                                                                boundaries shown on the
                                                                                      FIRM using more up-to-date
                                                                                      topographic data. GIS
                                                                                      technology is used, where
                                                                                      available.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Other Activities: While we will provide no funding to CTPs for 
the following mapping activities, we may provide technical assistance, 
support, and data to the CTP:

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                 Activity                                   Partner                          Description
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base Map Inventory.......................  Regional Agency/State Agency............  The CTP performs an
                                                                                      investigation and provides
                                                                                      an inventory of base maps
                                                                                      meeting FEMA
                                                                                      specifications for NFIP
                                                                                      communities.
Digital Base Map Data Sharing............  Regional Agency/State Agency............  The CTP supplies a base map
                                                                                      for DFIRM production. The
                                                                                      base map will comply with
                                                                                      FEMA's minimum accuracy
                                                                                      requirements and be
                                                                                      distributable by FEMA to
                                                                                      the public in hardcopy and
                                                                                      electronic formats.
DFIRM Maintenance........................  Community/Regional Agency/State Agency..  The CTP assumes
                                                                                      responsibility for long-
                                                                                      term, periodic maintenance
                                                                                      of the DFIRM. This can
                                                                                      include base map and/or
                                                                                      flood hazard information.
Hydrologic and Hydraulic Review Agreement  Community/Regional Agency/State Agency..  The CTP reviews hydrologic
 (Pilot Activity).                                                                    and hydraulic studies
                                                                                      prepared for FEMA-funded
                                                                                      flood data updates and/or
                                                                                      map revisions processed
                                                                                      under the NFIP regulations
                                                                                      in 44 CFR 65. The review
                                                                                      will focus on compliance
                                                                                      with the technical and
                                                                                      regulatory requirements
                                                                                      contained in various FEMA
                                                                                      flood mapping guidelines
                                                                                      and specifications, the
                                                                                      pertinent NFIP flood
                                                                                      mapping regulations, as
                                                                                      well as standard accepted
                                                                                      engineering practices.
Assessment of Community Mapping Needs (to  Regional Agency/State Agency............  The CTP performs a detailed
 support FEMA's Mapping Needs Update                                                  community-by-community
 Suppport System (MNUSS)).                                                            investigation and
                                                                                      assessment of every NFIP
                                                                                      community's mapping needs,
                                                                                      including flood data
                                                                                      updates, map maintenance,
                                                                                      and includes unmapped
                                                                                      communities. The CTP then
                                                                                      submits the results of the
                                                                                      assessment to FEMA for
                                                                                      MNUSS database.
Technical Standards Agreement............  Community/Regional Agency/State Agency..  The CTP works with FEMA to
                                                                                      adopt specific technical
                                                                                      standards or processes
                                                                                      appropriate for local
                                                                                      conditions for NFIP flood
                                                                                      mapping purposes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 through 77, as 
well as the technical standards contained in the most recent version of 
FEMA's Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Mapping Partners, which 
are set out at www.fema.gov/mit/tsd/dl_cgs.htm.

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 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.

Evaluation Criteria

    Evaluation will be based on 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 performance and to 
financial report submittals to the Regional Office;
    (4) Adherence to timeliness and completeness of mapping product 
submittals to the Regional Office;
    (5) Quality of product(s) submitted to the Regional Office; and
    (6) Ability to cooperate and coordinate with the Regional Office, 
FEMA Hazard Mapping Division of the Federal Insurance and Mitigation 
Administration in Washington, and/or the FEMA Flood Map Production 
Coordination Contractor during all phases of the mapping activity as 
needed.
    We will evaluate the performance of each CTP upon completion of the 
period of performance for each Mapping

[[Page 21240]]

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.

Cooperating Technical Partners Regional Contacts

    The FEMA Regional Office contacts for the CTP programs are:
    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, (telephone) 
(212) 680-3638, (e-mail) [email protected].
    Region 3: (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West 
Virginia, District of of Columbia), Martin Frengs, 615 Chestnut Street, 
6th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106, (telephone) (215) 931-5532, (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, (email) [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: April 24, 2002.
Robert F. Shea,
Deputy Administrator, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration.
[FR Doc. 02-10559 Filed 4-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-04-P