[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2876-2879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-869]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY


Cooperating Technical Partners Program

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: FEMA gives notice of the requirements for the Cooperating 
Technical Partners Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005.

DATES: FEMA has an estimated $50 million available nationwide for 
funding partner projects in FY 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The FEMA Regional Cooperating 
Technical Partner (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:
    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/fhm/dl_mpmod.shtm. The 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. 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 hazard 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 2005 Funds. We have set aside 
approximately $50 million nationwide for use by all FEMA Regional 
Offices to fund CTP mapping activities in fiscal year 2005 (October 1, 
2004, through September 30,

[[Page 2877]]

2005). 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 
recordkeeping, 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 2005, the following mapping 
activities are eligible for funding:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Activity                         Partners                              Description
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refinement or Creation of          Community Regional Agency       The Partner works with FEMA to perform
 Approximate Zone A Boundaries.     State Agency                    analyses to refine Zone A boundaries shown
                                                                    on the effective Flood Insurance Rate Map
                                                                    (FIRM) or create new Zone A areas to be
                                                                    included on the FIRM. Emphasis is placed on
                                                                    automated analysis and production
                                                                    techniques.
Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analyses  Community                       The Partner develops digital engineering data
 and Floodplain Mapping.           Regional Agency                  and floodplain mapping using Geographic
                                   State Agency                     Information System (GIS)-based or
                                                                    traditional hydrologic and hydraulic
                                                                    modeling.
Coastal Flood Hazard Analyses and  Community                       The Partner develops digital engineering data
 Floodplain Mapping.               Regional Agency                  and floodplain mapping using GIS-based or
                                   State Agency                     traditional coastal flood hazard analysis
                                                                    methods.
Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map   Community                       The Partner digitizes information from the
 (DFIRM) Preparation.              Regional Agency                  effective hardcopy FIRM and prepares a DFIRM
                                   State Agency                     that meets FEMA specifications.
Redelineation of Detailed          Community                       The Partner redelineates the effective
 Floodplain Boundaries Using       Regional Agency                  floodplain boundaries shown on the FIRM
 Updated Topographic Data.         State Agency                     using more up-to-date topographic data. GIS
                                                                    technology is used, where available.
Digital Topographic Data           Community                       The Partner develops digital topographic data
 Development.                      Regional Agency                  for flood hazard identification purposes.
                                   State Agency
Scoping up to 10%................  Community                       Up to 10% of the total estimated funding may
                                   Regional Agency                  be provided to do an extensive project scope
                                   State Agency                     that leads to the development of the Mapping
                                                                    Activity Statement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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:

[[Page 2878]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Activity                         Partners                              Description
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Digital Base Map Inventory.......  Regional Agency State Agency    The Partner performs an investigation and
                                                                    provides an inventory of base maps meeting
                                                                    FEMA specifications for NFIP communities in
                                                                    a particular region or State.
Digital Base Map Data Sharing....  Community                       The Partner supplies base map data for use in
                                   Regional Agency                  producing a DFIRM. The base map must comply
                                   State Agency                     with FEMA minimum accuracy requirements and
                                                                    be distributable by FEMA to the public in
                                                                    hardcopy and electronic formats.
DFIRM Maintenance Community......  Community                       The Partner assumes responsibility for long-
                                   Regional Agency                  term, periodic maintenance of the DFIRM.
                                   State Agency                     This can include base map and/or flood
                                                                    hazard information.
Hydrologic and Hydraulic Review..  Community                       The Partner reviews hydrologic and hydraulic
                                   Regional Agency                  studies prepared for FEMA-funded flood data
                                   State Agency                     updates and/or map revisions processed under
                                                                    Part 65 of the NFIP regulations. The review
                                                                    focuses on compliance with the technical and
                                                                    regulatory requirements contained in
                                                                    Guidelines and Specifications for Flood
                                                                    Hazard Mapping Partners, the pertinent NFIP
                                                                    regulations, as well as standard accepted
                                                                    engineering practices.
Assessment of Community Mapping    Regional Agency State Agency    The Partner performs a detailed community-by-
 Needs (to support FEMA's Mapping                                   community assessment of mapping needs for
 Needs Update Support System).                                      every mapped (including flood data updates
                                                                    and map maintenance) and unmapped NFIP
                                                                    community within its jurisdiction. The
                                                                    Partner then submits the results of the
                                                                    assessment to FEMA for inclusion in the
                                                                    Mapping Needs Update Support System
                                                                    database.
Technical Standards Agreement....  Community                       The Partner works with FEMA to adopt specific
                                   Regional Agency                  technical standards or processes appropriate
                                   State Agency                     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 http://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 
financial report to the Regional Office;
    (4) Adherence to timeliness and completeness of map products 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 Risk Identification Branch of the Mitigation Division 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 throughout the project 
and 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.
    Cooperating Technical Partners Regional Contacts.
    The FEMA Regional Office contacts for the CTP programs are:
     Region I (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New 
Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont): Dean Savramis, 99 High Street, 6th 
Floor, Boston, MA 02110, telephone: (978) 461-5323, e-mail: 
[email protected].
     Region II (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin 
Islands): Paul Weberg, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 1337, New York, NY 10278-
0002, telephone: (212) 680-363, e-mail: [email protected].
     Region III (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, 
Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia): Nikki Roberts, One Independence 
Mall, 615 Chestnut Street, 6th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106-4404, 
telephone: (215) 931-5575 for Nikki Roberts, e-mail: 
[email protected].
     Region IV (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, 
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee): Laura Algeo, 
3003 Chamblee Tucker Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, telephone: (770) 220-
5515, e-mail: [email protected].
     Region V (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, 
and Wisconsin): Ken Hinterlong, Team Lead, 536 South Clark Street, 6th 
Floor, Chicago, IL 60605, telephone: (312) 408-5529, e-mail: 
[email protected].
    Mary Jo Mullen (Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio), 536 South Clark 
Street, 6th Floor, Chicago, IL 60605, telephone: (312) 408-5541, e-
mail: [email protected].
    Lee Traeger (Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) 536 South Clark 
Street, 6th Floor, Chicago, IL 60605, telephone: (312) 408-5538 e-mail: 
[email protected]
     Region VI (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, 
Texas): Gary Zimmerer (Arkansas and Louisiana), Federal Regional 
Center, 800 North Loop 288, Room 206, Denton, TX

[[Page 2879]]

76210-3698, telephone: (940) 898-5161, e-mail: [email protected].
    Jim Orwat (New Mexico and Oklahoma), Federal Regional Center, 800 
North Loop 288, Room 206, Denton, TX 76210-3698, telephone: (940) 898-
5302, e-mail: [email protected].
    Jack Quarles (Texas), Federal Regional Center, 800 North Loop 288, 
Room 206, Denton, TX 76210-3698, telephone: (940) 898-5156, e-mail: 
[email protected].
     Region VII (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska), Bob Franke, 
2323 Grand Avenue, Suite 900, Kansas City, MO 64108-2670, telephone: 
(816) 283-7073, e-mail: [email protected].
     Region VIII (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South 
Dakota, Utah, Wyoming): John Liou or Marijo Camrud, Denver Federal 
Center, Bldg. 710, Box 25267, Denver, CO 80225-0267, telephone: (303) 
235-4836, telephone: (303) 235-4835, e-mail: [email protected], e-mail: 
[email protected].
     Region IX (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American 
Samoa, Guam, Marshall Islands and Northern Mariana Islands): Les 
Sakumoto (Northern California and Nevada), 1111 Broadway, Suite 1200, 
Oakland, CA 94607, telephone: (510) 627-7183, e-mail: 
[email protected].
    Ray Lenaburg (Southern California, Arizona, Hawaii, American Samoa, 
Guam, Marshall Islands and Northern Mariana Islands) 1111 Broadway, 
Suite 1200, Oakland, CA 94607, telephone: (510) 627-7181, e-mail: 
[email protected].
     Region X (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington): Dave 
Carlton, Federal Regional Center, 130 228th Street SW., Bothell, WA 
98021-9796, telephone: (425) 487-4703, e-mail: [email protected].

    Dated: January 10, 2005.
David I. Maurstad,
Acting Mitigation Division Director, Emergency Preparedness and 
Response Directorate.
[FR Doc. 05-869 Filed 1-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-04-P