Options for Changing Information on Updated Flood Maps Options Available for Changing the Updated Flood Maps and Reports * During the 90-day Appeal period, community officials (or other interested parties through community officials) may submit an appeal of the proposed Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) shown on the Preliminary copies of the Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports. * During the 90-day Appeal period, community officials (or other interested parties through community officials) also may submit a protest concerning flood hazard information other than BFEs shown on the Preliminary copies of the DFIRMs and FIS reports. * After the DFIRMs and FIS reports become effective, community officials (or other interested parties through community officials) may request Map Revisions to request changes to the BFEs, floodplain boundaries, and regulatory floodways shown on the DFIRMs. * After the DFIRMs and FIS reports become effective, individual property owners may request property-specific changes through the Letter of Map Amendment or Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill procedures. Requirements for Appeals and Protests * Appeals and protests are processed in accordance with Part 67 of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations. * In support of appeals or protests, appellants must submit appropriate scientific or technical information to refute the information shown on the Preliminary copies of the DFIRMs and FIS reports. * The type of supporting information required will vary depending on the basis for the appeal or protest. * Appellants who are interested in determining the supporting information required should consult with local community officials. * If the community submits an appeal or protest during the 90-day appeal period, FEMA will delay the processing of the affected DFIRM and FIS report until that Appeal or Protest is addressed. * If FEMA determines that a revision to the Preliminary version of the DFIRM or FIS report is appropriate, FEMA will revise the DFIRM and FIS report before they become effective. Requirements for Map Revisions * Map Revisions are processed in accordance with Part 65 of the NFIP regulations. * In support of Map Revisions, requesters must submit appropriate scientific or technical information to refute the information shown on the effective map and in the effective report. * The type of supporting information required will vary depending on the basis for the Map Revision. * To assist revision requesters, FEMA developed a set of application forms and instructions commonly referred to as the “MT-2 forms.” The MT-2 forms may be downloaded from the FEMA Web site at www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/dl_mt-2.shtm. * If a revision to the effective map or report is appropriate, FEMA either will physically revise and reissue the affected portions of the updated map and/or report for review and ultimate publication or will issue a determination letter, referred to as a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR). FEMA generally uses the LOMR process for relatively small modifications to the effective map and report. * Additional information on Map Revisions is provided in Chapters 5 and 9 of the previously referenced Guide for Community Officials. Requirements for Amendments and Revisions Based on Fill * If an individual homeowner has technical information that he or she believes indicates his or her home has been inadvertently shown within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) on the effective DFIRM, the homeowner may submit that information to FEMA and request that FEMA remove the flood zone designation from the home. * If the home has been built on natural ground, such requests are processed as Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) requests in accordance with Part 70 of the NFIP regulations. * If the home has been elevated on earthen fill, such requests are processed as Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F) requests in accordance with Part 65 of the NFIP regulations. * In support of LOMA and LOMR-F requests, the requester must include the surveyed elevation of the lowest ground touching the structure, the lowest enclosed level of the structure, and certain other information. * To assist homeowners and other requesters, FEMA developed application forms and instructions. For single residential lots or structures, requesters should use the MT-EZ form (available on the FEMA Web site at www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/dl_mt-ez.shtm). For multiple lots or structures, requesters should use the MT-1 forms package (available on the FEMA Web site at www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/dl_mt-1.shtm). * If FEMA issues a LOMA or LOMR-F, thereby removing a home from the floodplain, the Federal flood insurance requirements would no longer apply to that home. LOMAs and LOMR-Fs are effective immediately. Sources of Information for Map Change Requirements * The documents referenced above are available from the “Forms, Documents, and Software” portion of the FEMA Web site at www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/frm_main.shtm. * For general information, interested parties may also contact one of FEMA’s Map Specialists, who may be reached either by telephone, toll free, at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627), or via the FEMA Web site at www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/fmc_main.shtm. * For copies of effective NFIP maps and reports, interested parties should contact the FEMA Map Service Center, either by telephone, toll free, at 1-800- 358-9616, or via the Web at www.msc.fema.gov.