[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 21, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2955-2959]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00904]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Docket ID: FEMA-2014-0032]


Fee Schedule for Processing Requests for Map Changes, for Flood 
Insurance Study Backup Data, and for National Flood Insurance Program 
Map and Insurance Products

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice contains the revised fee schedules for processing 
certain types of requests for changes to National Flood Insurance 
Program (NFIP) maps, for processing requests for Flood Insurance Study 
(FIS) technical and administrative support data, and for processing 
requests for particular NFIP map and insurance products. The changes in 
the fee schedules will allow FEMA to reduce further the expenses to the 
NFIP by recovering more fully the costs associated with processing 
conditional and final map change requests; retrieving, reproducing, and 
distributing technical and administrative support data related to FIS 
analyses and mapping; and producing, retrieving, and distributing 
particular NFIP map and insurance products.

DATES: The revised fee schedules are effective for all requests dated 
February 20, 2015, or later.
    The revised fee schedule for map changes is effective for all 
requests dated February 20, 2015, or later. The revised fee schedule 
supersedes the current fee schedule, which was established on January 
13, 2010.
    The revised fee schedule for requests for FIS backup data also is 
effective for all requests dated February 20, 2015, or later. The 
revised fee schedule supersedes the current fee schedule, which was 
established on January 13, 2010.
    The revised fee schedule for requests for particular NFIP map and 
insurance products, which are available through the FEMA Map Service 
Center (MSC), is effective for all requests, including but not limited 
to hardcopy, on-line, and telephone requests received on or after 
February 20, 2015. The revised fee schedule supersedes the current fee 
schedule, which was established on January 13, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Magnotti, Hydraulic Engineer, 
Data and Dissemination Management Branch, Risk Analysis Division, 500 C 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20472; by telephone at (202) 646-3932 or by 
facsimile at (202) 646-2787 (not toll-free calls); or by email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice contains the revised fee 
schedules for processing certain types of requests for changes to 
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) maps, requests for Flood 
Insurance Study (FIS) technical and administrative support data, and 
requests for particular NFIP map and insurance products.
    Evaluations Performed. To develop the revised fee schedule for 
conditional and final map change requests and letter of determination 
review requests, FEMA 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 Letters 
of Determination Review (LODRs).
    To develop the revised fee schedule requests for FIS technical and 
administrative support data, FEMA evaluated the actual costs of 
reviewing, reproducing, and distributing archived data in seven 
categories. These categories are discussed in more detail below.
    To develop the revised fee schedule for requests for particular 
NFIP map and insurance products, FEMA decided to eliminate fees for 
digital product downloads and to discontinue its distribution of paper-
based products, as well as products on digital media (i.e. compact 
disc). This decision was based on the re-architecture of the Map 
Service Center (MSC), which allows for the online downloading of larger 
datasets. The products covered by this notice are discussed in detail 
below.
    Periodic Evaluations of Fees. A primary component of the fees is 
the prevailing private-sector rates charged to FEMA for labor and 
materials. Because these rates and the actual review and processing 
costs may vary from year to year, FEMA 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 Years 2010, 2011, 
2012, and 2013, FEMA established the following review and processing 
fees, which are to be submitted with all requests:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Proposed online
             LOMC Type                 Proposed fee      submission fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single-lot/single-structure CLOMA                $600               $500
 and CLOMR-F......................
Single-lot/single-structure LOMR-F                525                425

[[Page 2956]]

 
Single-lot/single-structure LOMR-F                425                325
 based on as-built information
 (CLOMR-F previously issued by
 FEMA)............................
Multiple-lot/multiple-structure                   800                700
 CLOMA............................
Multiple-lot/multiple-structure                   900                800
 CLOMR-F and LOMR[dash]F..........
Multiple-lot/multiple-structure                   800                700
 LOMR[dash]F based on as-built
 information (CLOMR-F previously
 issued by FEMA)..................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note that for digital submissions, the fees for these products have been
  reduced by $100, since the costs for handling, scanning, and
  transportation will be lower. The higher costs associated with
  handling, scanning, and transportation of hardcopy submissions will
  continue to be recovered.

Fee Schedule for Requests for Letters of Determination Review

    Based on a review of actual cost data for Fiscal Years 2010, 2011, 
2012, and 2013, FEMA established the following review and processing 
fee for requests for Letters of Determination Review, which is to be 
submitted with all requests:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Product type                         Proposed fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LODR...................................................             $80
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fee Schedule for Requests for Conditional Letters of Map Revision

    Based on a review of actual cost data for Fiscal Years 2010, 2011, 
2012, and 2013, FEMA established the following review and processing 
fees, which are to be submitted with all requests that are not 
otherwise exempted under 44 CFR 72.5 and/or the Homeowner Flood 
Insurance Affordability Act of 2014, Public Law 113-89, section 22, 
Mar. 21, 2014, 128 Stat. 1028, 42 U.S.C. 4101e.:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Proposed online
            LOMC Type                Proposed fee       submission fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLOMR based on new hydrology,                $6,750              $6,500
 bridge, culvert, channel, or
 any combination thereof........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note that for digital submissions, the fee for this product has been
  reduced by $250, since the costs for handling, scanning, and
  transportation will be lower. The higher costs associated with
  handling, scanning, and transportation of hardcopy submissions will
  continue to be recovered.

Fees for Conditional Letters of Map Revision Based on a Levee, Berm, or 
Other Structural Measure

    Based on a review of actual cost data for Fiscal Years 2010, 2011, 
2012, and 2013, FEMA has established $7,250 as the initial fee for 
requests for CLOMRs based on a levee, berm, or other structural 
measure. For digital submissions, the fees for this product have been 
reduced by $250, since the costs for handling, scanning, and 
transportation will be lower. The higher costs associated with 
handling, scanning, and transportation of hardcopy submissions will 
continue to be recovered. FEMA will also 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 FEMA ($60 
per hour) will continue to be used to calculate the total fees to be 
submitted to FEMA.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               LOMC Type                            Proposed fee                Proposed online submission fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLOMR based on a levee, berm, or other  $7,250 (plus $60/h)................  $7,000 (plus $60/h).
 structural measure.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note that for digital submissions, the fee for this product has been reduced by $250, since the costs for
  handling, scanning, and transportation will be lower. The higher costs associated with handling, scanning, and
  transportation of hardcopy submissions will continue to be recovered.

Fee Schedule for Requests for Letters of Map Revisions

    Based on a review of actual cost data for Fiscal Years 2010, 2011, 
2012, and 2013, FEMA established the following review and processing 
fees, which are to be submitted with all requests that are not 
otherwise exempted under 44 CFR 72.5 and/or the Homeowner Flood 
Insurance Affordability Act of 2014, Public Law 113-89, section 22, 
Mar. 21, 2014, 128 Stat. 1028, 42 U.S.C. 4101e. Requesters must submit 
the review and processing fees shown below with requests for LOMRs 
dated February 20, 2015, or later that are not based on structural 
measures on alluvial fans.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Proposed online
             LOMC Type                 Proposed fee      submission fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOMR based on a bridge, culvert,               $8,250             $8,000
 channel, hydrology, or
 combination thereof..............
LOMR based on as-built information              8,250              8,000
 submitted as a follow-up to a
 CLOMR............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note that for digital submissions the fees have been reduced by $250 for
  these products since there will be less handling, scanning, and
  transportation costs on these products. The higher costs associated
  with handling, scanning, and transportation of hardcopy submissions
  will continue to be recovered.


[[Page 2957]]

Fees for Final Letters of Map Revision Based on a Levee, Berm, or Other 
Structural Measure

    Based on a review of actual cost data for Fiscal Years 2010, 2011, 
2012, and 2013, FEMA has established $9,250 as the initial fee for 
requests for LOMRs based on levee, berm, or other structural measure. 
For digital submissions, the fees for this product have been reduced by 
$250, since the costs for handling, scanning, and transportation will 
be lower. The higher costs associated with handling, scanning, and 
transportation of hardcopy submissions will continue to be recovered. 
FEMA will also 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 FEMA ($60 per hour) will continue 
to be used to calculate the total fees to be submitted to FEMA.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               LOMC Type                            Proposed fee                Proposed online submission fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOMR based on a levee, berm, or other   $9,250 (plus $60/h)................  $9,000 (plus $60/h).
 structural measure.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note that for digital submissions, the fee for this product has been reduced by $250, since the costs for
  handling, scanning, and transportation will be lower. The higher costs associated with handling, scanning, and
  transportation of hardcopy submissions will continue to be recovered.

Fees for Conditional and Final Letters of Map Revision Based on 
Structural Measures on Alluvial Fans

    Based on a review of actual cost data for Fiscal Years 2010, 2011, 
2012, and 2013, FEMA has established $7,250 as the initial fee for 
requests for CLOMRs and LOMRs based on structural measures on alluvial 
fans. For digital submissions, the fees for these products have been 
reduced by $250, since the costs for handling, scanning, and 
transportation will be lower. The higher costs associated with 
handling, scanning, and transportation of hardcopy submissions will 
continue to be recovered. FEMA will also 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 FEMA ($60 
per hour) will continue to be used to calculate the total fees to be 
submitted to FEMA.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               LOMC Type                            Proposed fee                Proposed online submission fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLOMR based on structural measures on   $7,250 (plus $60/h)................  $7,000 (plus $60/h).
 alluvial fans.
LOMR based on structural measures on    $7,250 (plus $60/h)................  $7,000 (plus $60/h).
 alluvial fans.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note that for digital submissions the fees have been reduced by $250 for these products since there will be less
  handling, scanning, and transportation costs on these products. The higher costs associated with handling,
  scanning, and transportation of hardcopy submissions will continue to be recovered.

Fees for the Mapping of Physical Map Revisions (PMRs)

    Based on a review of actual cost data for Fiscal Years 2010, 2011, 
2012, and 2013, FEMA has established $8,250 as the initial fee for 
requests to process the review of PMRs. Additional fee of $2,500 per 
panel is required to create the mapping for the PMR. Requesters must 
submit the review and processing fees shown below with requests for 
PMRs dated February 20, 2015, or later that are not based on structural 
measures on alluvial fans.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               PMR Type                             Proposed fee                Proposed online submission fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PMR based on a bridge, culvert,         $8,250 plus $2,500/panel...........  $8,000 plus $2,500/panel.
 channel, hydrology, or combination
 thereof.
PMR based on as-built information       $8,250 plus $2,500/panel...........  $8,000 plus $2,500/panel.
 submitted as a follow-up to a CLOMR.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note that for digital submissions the fees have been reduced by $250 for these products since there will be less
  handling, scanning, and transportation costs on these products. The higher costs associated with handling,
  scanning, and transportation of hardcopy submissions will continue to be recovered.

Fees for Mapping of Physical Map Revisions Based on a Levee, Berm, or 
Other Structural Measure

    Based on a review of actual cost data for Fiscal Years 2010, 2011, 
2012, and 2013, FEMA has established $9,250 as the initial fee for 
requests to process the review of PMRs based on levee, berm, or other 
structural measure. Additional fee of $2,500 per panel is required to 
create the mapping for the PMR. For digital submissions, the fees for 
this product have been reduced by $250, since the costs for handling, 
scanning, and transportation will be lower. The higher costs associated 
with handling, scanning, and transportation of hardcopy submissions 
will continue to be recovered. FEMA will also 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 FEMA ($60 
per hour) will continue to be used to calculate the total fees to be 
submitted to FEMA.

[[Page 2958]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               PMR Type                             Proposed fee                Proposed online submission fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PMR based on a levee, berm, or other    $9,250 (plus $60/h) plus $2,500/     $9,000 (plus $60/h) plus $2,500/
 structural measure.                     panel.                               panel.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note that for digital submissions, the fee for this product has been reduced by $250, since the costs for
  handling, scanning, and transportation will be lower. The higher costs associated with handling, scanning, and
  transportation of hardcopy submissions will continue to be recovered.

Fees for Physical Map Revision Based on Structural Measures on Alluvial 
Fans

    Based on a review of actual cost data for Fiscal Years 2010, 2011, 
2012, and 2013, FEMA has established $7,250 as the initial fee for 
requests to process the review of PMRs based on structural measures on 
alluvial fans. Additional fee of $2,500 per panel is required to create 
the mapping for the PMR. For digital submissions, the fees for these 
products have been reduced by $250, since the costs for handling, 
scanning, and transportation will be lower. The higher costs associated 
with handling, scanning, and transportation of hardcopy submissions 
will continue to be recovered. FEMA will also 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 FEMA ($60 
per hour) will continue to be used to calculate the total fees to be 
submitted to FEMA.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               PMR Type                             Proposed fee                Proposed online submission fee
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PMR based on structural measures on     $7,250 (plus $60/h) plus $2,500/     $7,000 (plus $60/h) plus $2,500/
 alluvial fans.                          panel.                               panel.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note that for digital submissions the fees have been reduced by $250 for these products since there will be less
  handling, scanning, and transportation costs on these products. The higher costs associated with handling,
  scanning, and transportation of hardcopy submissions will continue to be recovered.

Fee Schedule for Flood Insurance Study Backup Data

    Non-exempt requesters of FIS technical and administrative support 
data must submit the fees shown below with requests dated February 20, 
2015, or later. These fees are based on the complete recovery costs to 
FEMA for retrieving, reproducing, and distributing the data, as well as 
maintaining the library archives, and for collecting and depositing 
fees. Based on a review of actual cost data for Fiscal Years 2010, 
2011, 2012, and 2013, FEMA established the following review and 
processing fees from the February 20, 2015, fee schedule, which are to 
be submitted with all requests.
    All entities except the following will be charged for requests for 
FIS technical and administrative support data:
     Private architectural-engineering firms under contract to 
FEMA to perform or evaluate studies and restudies;
     Federal agencies involved in performing studies and 
restudies for FEMA (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 FEMA and request the Digital Line Graph data (Category 6 below);
     Communities that request data during the statutory 90-day 
appeal period for an initial or revised FIS for that community;
     Mapped participating communities that request data at any 
time other than during the statutory 90-day appeal period, provided the 
data are requested for use by the community and not a third-party user; 
and
     State NFIP Coordinators, provided the data requested are 
for use by the State NFIP Coordinators and not a third-party user.
    FEMA has established seven categories into which requests for FIS 
backup data are separated. 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 
(LOMCs);
    (5) Category 5--Paper copies of Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate 
Map (FIRM) or Flood Boundary and Floodway Map panels;
    (6) Category 6--Computer tapes or CD-ROMs of Digital Line Graph 
files, Digital FIRM files, or Digital LOMR attachment files; and
    (7) Category 7--Computer diskettes and user's manuals for FEMA 
computer programs.
    FEMA established a flat non-refundable fee of $300 for non-exempt 
requesters of FIS technical and administrative support data to initiate 
a request under Categories 1, 2, and 3 above. This fee covers the costs 
of 4 hours of research and retrieval. For larger requests that require 
more than 4 hours of research, additional hours will be charged at $40 
per hour. If the data requested are available and the request is not 
cancelled, the final fee is calculated as a sum of the standard per-
product charge plus a per-case surcharge of $93, designed to recover 
the cost of library maintenance and archiving. The total costs of 
processing requests in Categories 1, 2, and 3 will vary based on the 
complexity of the research involved in retrieving the data and the 
volume and medium of the data to be reproduced and distributed. The 
initial flat fee will be applied against the total costs to process the 
request, and FEMA will invoice the requester for the balance plus the 
per-case surcharge before the data are provided. No data will be 
provided to a requester until all required fees have been paid.
    No initial fee is required to initiate a request for data under 
Categories 4 through 7. Requesters will be notified by telephone about 
the availability of the data and the fees associated with the requested 
data.
    As with requests for data under Categories 1, 2, and 3, no data 
will be provided to requesters until all required fees are paid. A flat 
user fee for each of these categories of requests, shown below, will 
continue to be required.
Request Under Category 4 (First Letter) $40

[[Page 2959]]

Request Under Category 4 (Each additional letter) $10
Request Under Category 5 (First panel) $35
Request Under Category 5 (Each additional panel) $2
Request Under Category 6 (per county/digital LOMR attachment 
shapefiles) $150
Request Under Category 7 (per copy) $25

Fee Schedule for Map and Insurance Products

    The MSC distributes a variety of NFIP map and insurance products to 
a wide range of customers, including Federal, State, and local 
government officials; real estate professionals; insurance providers; 
appraisers; builders; land developers; design engineers; surveyors; 
lenders; homeowners; and other private citizens.
    FEMA decided to eliminate fees for digital product downloads and 
discontinue its distribution of paper-based products, as well as 
products on digital media (i.e. compact disc). This decision was based 
on the re-architecture of the MSC, which allows for the online 
downloading of larger datasets. All of the products produced by the 
program will be housed online through the MSC. By making this change, 
FEMA will no longer have any costs for reproduction, shipping, and 
handling of digital media, except for the very limited fee-exempt 
distribution to communities affected by map changes. FEMA will also 
have virtually no variable costs associated with public distribution of 
products. Whether one customer downloads a digital flood map or 
thousands download it, FEMA's costs are essentially the same. Some 
fixed IT costs are associated with building and maintaining the MSC 
systems; however, FEMA has a statutory mandate to make the flood data 
products available for free to a large percentage of the customer base. 
As a result, virtually no costs can be directly attributed to a 
specific delivery of a product to a specific customer.
    For more information on the map and insurance products available 
from the MSC, interested parties are invited to visit the MSC Web site 
at http://msc.fema.gov.

Payment Submission Requirements

    Fee payments for non-exempt requests must be made in advance of 
services being rendered. These payments shall be made in the form of a 
check, money order, or by credit card payment. Checks and money orders 
must be made payable, in U.S. funds, to the

National Flood Insurance Program.

    FEMA will deposit all fees collected to the National Flood 
Insurance Fund, which is the source of funding for providing these 
services.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 
1978, 43 FR 41943, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 329; E.O. 12127, 44 FR 
19367, 3 CFR, 1979 Comp., p. 376; 44 CFR part 72; Homeowner Flood 
Insurance Affordability Act of 2014.

    Dated: December 4, 2014.
Roy Wright,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Mitigation, Federal Insurance and 
Mitigation Administration, Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2015-00904 Filed 1-20-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-12-P