[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65689-65690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26019]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Docket ID FEMA-2013-0039]


Technical Mapping Advisory Council

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION: Committee Management; Request for Applicants for Appointment to 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Technical Mapping Advisory 
Council.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is requesting 
qualified individuals interested in serving on the Technical Mapping 
Advisory Council (TMAC) to apply for appointment. As provided for in 
the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, the TMAC makes 
recommendations to the FEMA Administrator on how to improve, in a cost-
effective manner, the accuracy, general quality, ease of use, and 
distribution and dissemination of flood insurance rate maps (FIRMs) and 
risk data; and performance metrics and milestones required to 
effectively and efficiently map flood risk areas in the United States.

DATES: Applications will be accepted until December 2, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Applications for membership should be submitted by one of 
the following methods:
     Email: [email protected].
     Mail: FEMA, Federal Insurance and Mitigation 
Administration, Risk Analysis Division, Attn: Michael Godesky or Mark 
Crowell, 1800 South Bell Street, Arlington, VA 20598-3035.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Godesky, 1800 South Bell 
Street, Arlington, Virginia 20598-3035, email: [email protected], 
phone: 202.646.2752.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The TMAC is an advisory committee that was 
established by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, 
42 U.S.C. 4101a, and in accordance with the provisions of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. (Pub. L. 92-463). The TMAC 
is required to recommend to the Administrator: (1) Mapping standards 
and guidelines for FIRMs and data accuracy, data quality, data 
currency, and data eligibility; (2) how to maintain, on an ongoing 
basis, FIRMs and flood insurance identification; and (3) procedures for 
delegating mapping activities to State and local mapping partners. The 
TMAC is also required to recommend to the Administrator, and other 
Federal agencies participating on the Council, methods for improving 
interagency and intergovernmental coordination on flood mapping and 
flood risk determination, and a funding strategy to leverage and 
coordinate budgets and expenditures across Federal agencies. In 
consultation with scientists and technical experts, other Federal 
agencies, and local communities, the TMAC will develop recommendations 
on how to ensure that FIRMs incorporate the best available climate 
science to assess flood risks and ensure that FEMA uses the best 
available methodology to consider the impact of the rise in sea level 
and future development on flood risk. Members of the TMAC will be 
appointed based on their demonstrated knowledge and competence 
regarding surveying, cartography, remote sensing, geographic 
information systems, or the technical aspects of preparing and using 
FIRMs. To the maximum extent practicable, FEMA will ensure that 
membership of the TMAC has a balance of Federal, State, local, Tribal, 
and private members, and includes geographic diversity, including 
representation from areas with coastline on the Gulf of Mexico and 
other States containing areas identified by the Administrator as at 
high risk for flooding or as areas having special flood hazards.
    FEMA is requesting qualified individuals who are interested in 
serving on the TMAC to apply for appointment. Certain members of the 
TMAC, as described below, will be appointed and serve as Special 
Government Employees (SGE) as defined in section 202(a) of title 18 
United States Code. Candidates selected for appointment as SGEs are 
required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Form (Office 
of Government Ethics (OGE) Form 450). This form can be obtained by 
visiting the Web site of

[[Page 65690]]

the Office of Government Ethics (http://www.oge.gov). Please do not 
submit this form with your application. Qualified applicants will be 
considered for one or more of the following membership categories:
    a. One member of a recognized professional surveying association or 
organization (SGE appointment);
    b. One member of a recognized professional mapping association or 
organization (SGE appointment);
    c. One member of a recognized professional engineering association 
or organization (SGE appointment);
    d. One member of a recognized professional association or 
organization representing flood hazard determination firms (SGE 
appointment);
    e. One representative of the United States Geological Survey;
    f. One representative of a recognized professional association or 
organization representing State geographic information;
    g. One representative of State national flood insurance 
coordination offices;
    h. One representative of the Corps of Engineers;
    i. One member of a recognized regional flood and storm water 
management organization (SGE appointment);
    j. Two representatives of different State government agencies that 
have entered into cooperating technical partnerships with the 
Administrator and have demonstrated the capability to produce FIRMs;
    k. Two representatives of different local government agencies that 
have entered into cooperating technical partnerships with the 
Administrator and have demonstrated the capability to produce FIRMs;
    l. One member of a recognized floodplain management association or 
organization (SGE appointment);
    m. One member of a recognized risk management association or 
organization (SGE appointment); and
    n. One State mitigation officer (SGE appointment).
    Members of the TMAC will serve terms of office of two years. 
However, up to half (eight) of those initially appointed to the TMAC 
may serve one-year terms to allow for staggered turnover. There is no 
application form. However, applications must include the following 
information: The applicant's full name, home and business phone 
numbers, preferred email address, home and business mailing addresses, 
current position title & organization, resume or curriculum vitae, and 
the membership category of interest (e.g., State mitigation officer). 
Contact information is provided in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section of this notice.
    The TMAC will meet not less than twice a year. Members may be 
reimbursed for travel and per diem, and all travel for TMAC business 
must be approved in advance by the Designated Federal Officer. The 
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not discriminate in 
employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, 
political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital 
status, disability and genetic information, age, membership in an 
employee organization, or other non-merit factor. DHS strives to 
achieve a widely diverse candidate pool for all of its recruitment 
actions. Registered lobbyists and current FEMA employees, Disaster 
Assistance Employees, reservists, contractors, and potential 
contractors will not be considered for membership.

    Dated: October 23, 2013.
W. Craig Fugate,
Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 2013-26019 Filed 10-31-13; 8:45 am]
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