Part B
LEAD FEDERAL AGENCY/BUREAU AND/OR SUBCOMMITTEE/WORKING GROUP REPORT (Agencies With Lead Responsibilities Assigned under Current Circular A-16 Authorities) (Please provide a separate report for each activity for which you have the lead)
1. Program/Activity Name:
Flood Hazard Mapping: development of Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRM).
2. What are the programs this data supports?
National Flood Insurance Program of the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration
Very Briefly Describe All Applicable Items:
3. Uses of Data: What are the end uses of this data? How does it benefit customers, support lead and other agency missions, etc.?
Uses:
Determination of flood insurance rates for properties based on flood hazard zones Determination of floodways for local government regulation of development
Benefit/support of mission:
Reduction of losses to life and property
4. Charter/Plan: Do you have a current charter or plan for collection? Should it be updated?
Procedures for data collection have been updated to reflect the need of the map modernization program. These 'Guidelines & Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners' are now being finalized.
5. Metadata: What is the status of metadata? Is it discoverable and served through the NSDI Clearinghouse? What percentage of this theme's data has metadata and is in a Clearinghouse node?
Metadata will be delivered with the data on CD and plans are in place for serving it through a NSDI Clearinghouse node.
6. Standards: What is the status of this theme's data, process, transfer, and classification standards?
These are contained within the 'Guidelines & Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners.
7. Progress: List FY 2000/2001 activities/progress to date (quantify where possible)
FEMA has been compiling and revising a flood mapping guidance document, 'Guidelines & Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners,' including specifications for an enhanced geospatial product designed for distribution within the public domain.
During 2000-2001 many Digital Flood Insurance rate maps were generated, although the current specification does not call for delivery of digital data. The new specifications call for delivery of digital databases in addition to the paper product, and this specification should go into effect next year.
8. Leadership: Describe your active leadership role with others (private, local, State, Federal) who collect and use this data.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Flood Insurance Rate Maps and accompanying Flood Insurance Study information are the most widely utilized hazard identification maps and tools in the country. Through the Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) initiative, FEMA actively engages in partnerships with state, local and regional agencies to facilitate the production of improved flood hazard mapping in a digital format. The CTP increases local input, capability and responsibility for the development and maintenance of flood hazard data while maintaining a consistent national standard for flood hazard data. It is envisioned that the CTP initiative will grow and evolve as technologies and the capabilities of FEMA's partners increase.
9. Collaborative Partnerships: How many major partnerships with others do you have on this theme? (list if desired)
Currently, FEMA has entered into CTP agreements with 81 state, regional and local government agencies. That number is expected to increase by at least 23 by the end of FY 2001. Some of the specific mapping activities in the most recently initiated CTP agreements are still under development, however, of the 81 current partnerships, 69 have resulted or will result in the production of digital flood hazard mapping information. A list of those partners who have currently agreed to produce this digital information is attached.
10. Scope: Are you engaged in broad participation and international/global coordination?
11. Policy: Do you have a policy in place for full and open access or data sharing?
Any official data products created by FEMA will be in the public domain.