HomeMy WebLinkAbout08042005 BSC Agenda Item 4 Page 1 of 1
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Josie Orosco
From: James L. Dougherty, Jr. [jdough8 @attglobal.net]
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2005 4:19 PM
To: Dennis Mack; Annette Arriaga; Ayres, John; Brian Hoogendam; Bryant Slimp; David Flame;
McMahon, Kevin M SPLC; Muddy McDaniel; Peter Benjamin; Nes Tesno; Josie Orosco
Cc: Michael Ross; Ron Wicker; John Rudloff; Chris Claunch
Subject: FEMA floodplain regs
Attached is an excerpt from a FEMA publication about the Community Rating System (CRS).
Under the CRS, cities can earn lower flood insurance rates by taking a number of actions,
including the adoption of floodplain-floodway regs that are more stringent than the basic
floodplain regs. The attached excerpt lists more-stringent regs that cities can adopt to earn
better rates under the CRS. Note that that first one listed is to require a minimum "freeboard"
of one foot.
/s/ Jim
James L. Dougherty, Jr.
Attorney at Law
5177 Richmond, Suite 740
Houston, Texas 77056-6709
Phone: 713-880-8808
Fax: 281-220-8984
E-Mail: jim@jdlaw.prserv.net
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: THIS MESSAGE (WHICH INCLUDES ANY ATTACHMENTS)
IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE NAMED ADDRESSEE(S). IF YOU ARE NOT AN INTENDED
RECIPIENT, OR THE EMPLOYEE OR AGENT RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING IT TO AN
INTENDED RECIPIENT, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT ANY DISTRIBUTION OR
COPYING OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS
MESSSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE IMMEDIATELY CALL THE SENDER AT 713-880-8808
AND DESTROY THE MESSAGE. THANK YOU.
07/28/2005
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OMB No. 3067-0195
CtGY MAry
FEmA Expires February 28, 2005
-0 0, FIA-15A/2002
National Flood Insurance Program
Community Rating System
116464
N F I P/C RS
CRS APPLICATION
2002
• •
OMB No. 3067-0195
Expires February 28, 2005
Public reporting burden for the CRS Application worksheets and the CRS Coordinator's Manual is estimated to
average 30 hours per response. The burden estimate includes the time for reviewing instructions, searching
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the needed data, and completing and submitting the
application worksheets. You are not required to respond to this collection of information unless a valid OMB
control number is displayed in the upper right corner of the worksheet. Send comments regarding the accuracy
of the burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to: Information Collections Management,
Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C St., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20472, Paperwork Reduction
Project(3067-0195). Note: do not send your completed worksheets to this address.
Activity Worksheet No. Title
AW-210 CRS Application Cover Page
AW-214 Recertification Worksheet
AW-230 Modification/Cycle Cover Page
AW-310 Elevation Certificates
AW-320 Map Information
AW-330 Outreach Projects
AW-340 Hazard Disclosure
AW-350 Flood Protection Information
AW-360 Flood Protection Assistance
AW-410 Additional Flood Data
AW-420 Open Space Preservation
AW-430 Higher Regulatory Standards
AW-430LD Land Development Criteria
AW-440 Flood Data Maintenance
AW-450 Stormwater Management
AW-501 Repetitive Loss List
AW-502 Repetitive Loss Requirements
AW-510 Floodplain Management Planning
AW-520 Acquisition and Relocation
AW-530 Flood Protection
AW-540 Drainage System Maintenance
AW-610 Flood Warning Program
AW-620 Levee Safety
AW-630 Dam Safety
AW-710 Community Growth Adjustment
AW-720 Community Credit Calculations
AW-720m Community Credit Calculations(Modification)
AW-CB Closed Basin Lake Hazards
AW-CE Coastal Erosion Hazards
AW-DB Dunes and Beaches
AW-IJ Ice Jam Hazards
AW-MF Mudflow Hazards
AW-SU Land Subsidence Hazards
AW-TS Tsunami Hazards
AW-UF Uncertain Flow Path Hazards
• •
FOREWORD
The Community Rating System (CRS) is a part of the National Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP). When communities go beyond the minimum standards for floodplain management,
the CRS can provide discounts up to 45% off flood insurance premiums for their
policyholders.
Why Apply?
When your community participates in the CRS, everyone benefits, including those who don't
live or own property in a floodplain. Even when there is no flooding, your community's
public information and floodplain management efforts can improve the quality of life, protect
the environment, make people safer, and save everyone money.
If there is a flood, your CRS activities
• Save lives.
• Prevent property damage.
• Avoid lost jobs and economic devastation caused by flooding of offices, factories,
farms, stores, and other businesses.
• Prevent damage and disruption to roads, schools, public buildings, and other
facilities.
To earn CRS credit, your community can do things like
• Preserve open space in the floodplain
• Enforce higher standards for safer new development
• Maintain drainage systems
• Inform people about flood hazards, flood insurance, and how to reduce flood
damage.
Your community is probably already doing many of these things. To get credit, you simply
prepare an application showing what's being done. Once the information is verified, FEMA
provides the flood insurance premium discounts. The amount of your discount depends on
what your community does.
Where to start
• Read the Introduction section on pages 1-3 for an overview of the CRS.
• Contact your ISO/CRS Specialist (see Appendix C on page 53). He or she can tell you
what credit is automatically provided in your state and answer all your questions.
• Read pages 4-9 on the application procedures and prerequisites.
• Pick those activities on pages 10-43 that your community is implementing now. Just
spend your time on what will give you the 500 points needed for the application. Your
ISO/CRS Specialist can help you with the other activities during the verification visit.
CRS Application i Edition: 2002
•
100 INTRODUCTION
Background: Communities that regulate new development in their floodplains are able to
join the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In return, the NFIP provides federally
backed flood insurance for properties in
participating communities. Today, over CRS Classifications
19,000 communities are in the NFIP and
there are over 4.5 million policies in effect. Credit Points CRS Premium
Class Discount
The Community Rating System (CRS) is a 4,500+ 1 45%
part of the NFIP. The CRS reduces flood 4,000-4,499 2 40%
insurance premiums to reflect what a 3,500-3,999 3 35%
community does above and beyond the °
NFIP's minimum standards for floodplain 3,000-3,499 4 30/o
regulation. The objective of the CRS is to 2,500-2,999 5 25%
reward communities for what they are doing, 2,000-2,499 6 20%
as well as to provide an incentive for new 1,500-1,999 7 15%
flood protection activities. The reduction in 1,000-1,499 8 10%
flood insurance premium rates is provided 500-999 9 5%
according to a community's CRS 0-499 10 0
classification, as shown in the chart. -
SFHA (Zones A,AE,A1—A30, V, V1—V30,AO, and
Community participation in the CRS is AH): Credit varies depending on class.
VOLUNTARY. To date, over 900 communities SFHA (Zones A99,AR, AR/A, AR/AE, AR/A1—A30,
are participating as CRS Class 9 or better. AR/AH, and AR/AO): 10% credit for Classes 1-6; 5%
credit for Classes 7-9.
The rating formulas, verification procedures,
credit criteria, and documentation requirements Non-SFHA(Zones B, C, X, D): 10% credit for Classes
are described in more detail in the CRS 1-6; 5%credit for Classes 7-9.
Coordinator's Manual. This CRS Application Preferred Risk Policies are not eligible for CRS
discusses only the procedures, scoring, and premium discounts.
documentation that is needed for an initial
application.
Application: To apply, a community submits documentation that shows what it is doing and
that its activities deserve at least 500 points. The documentation is attached to the appropriate
worksheet pages in this CRS Applica-
tion.
Terminology: All CRS publications use the
The application is submitted to the following terms and acronyms:
ISO/CRS Specialist (see page 53). The ISO/CRS Specialist: The person who reviews and
ISO/CRS Specialist is an employee of the verifies your application, and is also available to
Insurance Services Office,Inc. (ISO).ISO help you with questions on these materials.
works on behalf of the Federal Emergency FIRM: Flood Insurance Rate Map, published by
Management Agency (FEMA) and the FEMA and provided to communities.
insurance companies to review CRS
applications, verify the communities' SFHA or Special Flood Hazard Area: The
credit points, and perform program floodplain delineated on the FIRM as A Zones.
improvement tasks. CEO or Chief Executive Officer: The mayor,
county board chair, city manager, or other person
of equivalent position.
CRS Application 1 Edition: 2002
• •
The Coordinator's Manual and the ISO/CRS Specialist will explain additional materials that
are needed for the verification visit and that are submitted annually to document continued
implementation of the activities.
Some of the activities may appear to have relatively low scores. This CRS Application
intentionally provides lower credit points for the more complicated activities where it is
difficult to communicate the CRS credit criteria. The ISO/CRS Specialist or a technical
reviewer will calculate the correct verified score based on the documentation submitted. You
are encouraged to review the more detailed credit criteria in the CRS Coordinator's Manual
before you submit your application.
No fee is charged for a community to a �`°�� � �
apply for participation in the CRS. All
CRS publications and software are
available at no cost by using the order
form on page 49. x; '
Verification: The ISO/CRS Specialist
reviews the community's application
documents on behalf of FEMA to confirm
that there are enough credit points to
warrant a Class 9 or better. If there are, a 7tf
verification visit is scheduled. During the " u
visit, the community's floodplain
program is reviewed in detail
to provide all possible CRS points. The The community's program is reviewed by the
program is verified both in the office and ISO/CRS Specialist during the verification visit.
in the field. ISO submits the findings to
FEMA.
FEMA sets the credit to be granted and notifies the community, the state, insurance
companies, and other appropriate parties. The community's CRS classification takes effect on
either May 1 or October 1.
Recertification: Each year the community must recertify that it is continuing to perform
the activities that are being credited by the CRS. Recertification is an annual activity that
includes copies of projects conducted during the year, progress reports, and similar items that
document continued implementation of the credited activities. At least once every five years,
the community must also verify its program again.
Community Responsibilities: As part of its application,the community's Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) must designate a staff person as the CRS Coordinator. The Coordinator is the
point of contact for FEMA and the ISO/CRS Specialist on CRS matters.
Specifically, a community is responsible for:
The CRS Coordinator should be
• designating its CRS Coordinator, someone familiar with the operation
• cooperating with the ISO/CRS Specialist and the of all community departments that
verification procedures, implement the credited activities.
• continuing to implement its credited activities,
• recertifying each year that it is continuing to implement its activities,
CRS Application 2 Edition: 2002
• •
COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM
ELIGIBLE COMMUNITIES
COMMUNITY COMMUNITY NAME CRS CURRENT CURRENT %DISCOUNT %DISCOUNT STATUS3
NUMBER ENTRY EFFECTIVE CLASS FOR FOR
DATE DATE SFHA1 NON-SFHA2
Tennessee (continued)
470184 Kingsport, City of 10/1/92 10/1/97 10 0 0 R
475433 Knox County 10/1/02 10/1/02 9 5 5 C
475434 Knoxville, City of 10/1/92 10/1/92 9 5 5 C
470070 Morristown, City of 10/1/92 10/1/93 10 0 0 R
470040 Nashville, City of& Davidson 10/1/91 10/1/91 9 5 5 C
470100 Ripley, Town of 10/1/91 10/1/96 10 0 0 R
475448 Spring City, Town of 10/1/92 10/1/97 10 0 0 R
Texas
485454 Arlington, City of 10/1/91 10/1/91 9 5 5 C
480624 Austin, City of 10/1/91 10/1/99 8 10 5 C
485456 Baytown, City of 10/1/91 10/1/01 7 15 5 C
480289 Bellaire, City of 10/1/93 10/1/93 9 5 5 C
480586 Benbrook, City of 10/1/91 10/1/02 7 15 5 C
480082 Bryan, City of 10/1/95 10/1/95 9 5 5 C
485459 Burleson, City of 10/1/91 10/1/91 9 5 5 C
480167 Carrollton, City of 10/1/91 10/1/01 7 15 5 C
485462 Cleburne, City of 10/1/92 10/1/92 9 5 5 C
480484 Conroe, City of 10/1/92 05/1/02 7 15 5 C
• 480170 Coppell, City of 10/1/93 10/1/03 8 10 5 C
485464 Corpus Christi, City of 10/1/91 10/1/91 9 5 5 C
480171 Dallas, City of 10/1/91 05/1/02 7 15 5 C
480291 Deer Park, City of 10/1/00 10/1/00 9 5 5 C
480774 Denton County 10/1/92 10/1/93 10 0 0 R
480194 Denton, City of 10/1/91 10/1/01 8 10 5 C
480173 Duncanville, City of 10/1/91 10/1/01 8 10 5 C
480214 El Paso, City of 10/1/91 10/1/91 9 5 5 C
a 485468 Friendswood, City of 10/1/91 10/1/03 5 25 10 C
485471 Garland, City of 10/1/91 10/1/97 7 15 5 C
485472 Grand Prairie, City of 10/1/91 10/1/93 8 10 5 C
480296 Houston, City of 05/1/02 05/1/02 8 10 5 C
480601 Hurst, City of 10/1/92 10/1/02 8 10 5 C
485481 Kemah, City of 10/1/92 10/1/00 5 25 10 C
485487 LaPorte, City of 10/1/99 10/1/99 8 10 5 C
485488 League City, City of 10/1/92 10/1/92 9 5 5 C
480195 Lewisville, City of 10/1/91 10/1/96 7 15 5 C
480452 Lubbock, City of 10/1/92 10/1/93 8 10 5 C
480477 Midland, City of 10/1/92 10/1/94 8 10 5 C
485491 Nassau Bay, City of 10/1/92 10/1/94 8 10 5 C
480607 North Richland Hills, City of 10/1/91 10/1/99 7 15 5 C
480206 Odessa, City of 10/1/92 10/1/02 8 10 5 C
480307 Pasadena, City of 10/1/91 10/1/92 10 0 0 R
■ 480140 Plano, City of 10/1/92 10/1/03 6 20 10 C
485499 Port Arthur, City of 10/1/91 10/1/91 9 5 5 C
480184 Richardson, City of 10/1/91 10/1/97 8 10 5 C
485505 San Marcos, City of 10/1/92 10/1/02 7 15 5 C
'For the purpose of determining CRS discounts, all AR and A99 zones are treated as non-SFHAs.
2lncrease in discount for Classes 1-6 effective May 1, 2001. See table on page CRS 1.
3Status: C = Current, R = Rescinded
CRS 25 October 1, 2003
• •
COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM
ELIGIBLE COMMUNITIES
COMMUNITY COMMUNITY NAME CRS CURRENT CURRENT %DISCOUNT %DISCOUNT
NUMBER ENTRY EFFECTIVE CLASS FOR FOR STATUS
DATE DATE SFHA' NON-SFHA2
Texas (continued)
485507 Seabrook, City of 10/1/02 10/1/02 9 5 5 C
480502 Sweetwater, City of 10/1/91 10/1/91 9 5 5 C
485513 Taylor Lake Village, City of 10/1/96 05/1/02 8 10 5 C
481585 Tiki Island, Village of 10/1/01 10/1/01 9 5 5 C
480662 Wichita Falls, City of 10/1/91 10/1/91 9 5 5 C
Utah
490039 Bountiful, City of 10/1/91 10/1/91 9 5 5 C
490074 Cedar City, City of 10/1/94 10/1/96 10 0 0 R
490040 Centerville, City of 05/1/02 05/1/02 9 5 5 C
• 490019 Logan, City of 10/1/93 10/1/03 8 10 5 C
490072 Moab, City of 04/1/01 04/1/01 9 5 5 C
490214 North Ogden, City of 10/1/93 05/1/03 8 10 5 C
• 490216 Orem, City of 10/1/93 10/1/03 8 10 5 C
490159 Provo, City of 10/1/91 10/1/96 8 10 5 C
490178 Santa Clara, Town of 10/1/95 10/1/95 9 5 5 C
490177 St. George, City of 10/1/94 10/1/95 8 10 5 C
490052 West Bountiful, City of 10/1/96 10/1/96 9 5 5 C
Vermont
500013 Bennington, Town of 10/1/93 10/1/93 9 5 5 C
500126 Brattleboro, Town of 10/1/91 10/1/91 9 5 5 C
505518 Montpelier, City of 10/1/98 10/1/98 9 5 5 C
Virginia
510001 Accomack County 10/1/92 10/1/96 8 10 5 C
515519 Alexandria, City of 10/1/92 10/1/02 8 10 5 C
515520 Arlington County 10/1/92 10/1/92 9 5 5 C
510134 Bridgewater, Town of 10/1/96 10/1/96 9 5 5 C
I 510002 Chincoteague, City of 10/1/00 10/1/03 8 10 5 C
515525 Fairfax County 10/1/93 10/1/03 8 10 5 C
510071 Gloucester County 10/1/95 10/1/95 9 5 5 C
510201 James City County 10/1/92 10/1/92 9 5 5 C
510090 Loudoun County 10/1/92 05/1/03 10 0 0 R
510104 Norfolk, City of 10/1/92 10/1/92 9 5 5 C
510183 Poquoson, City of 10/1/92 10/1/97 9 5 5 C
515529 Portsmouth, City of 10/1/92 10/1/00 9 5 5 C
510119 Prince William County 10/1/96 10/1/01 8 10 5 C
510190 Roanoke County 10/1/91 10/1/91 9 5 5 C
510130 Roanoke, City of 10/1/96 05/1/03 8 10 5 C
510053 Vienna, Town of 10/1/96 10/1/96 9 5 5 C
510005 Wachapreague, Town of 10/1/96 10/1/96 9 5 5 C
Washington
530073 Auburn, City of 10/1/92 05/1/02 7 15 5 C
530074 Bellevue, City of 10/1/92 10/1/00 6 20 10 _ C
'For the purpose of determining CRS discounts, all AR and A99 zones are treated as non-SFHAs.
2lncrease in discount for Classes 1-6 effective May 1, 2001. See table on page CRS 1.
3Status: C = Current, R = Rescinded
CRS 26 October 1, 2003
COMaNITY CLASSIFICATION PINTS
There are 10 community classes in the Community Rating System. Class 1 communities have the largest
premium credit; residents of Class 10 communities receive no premium credit. Communities that do not
apply for CRS classification are Class 10 communities.
The insurance premium credit is based on whether a property is in or out of the Special Flood Hazard
Area(SFHA), i.e., the A and V Zones as shown on the community's Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).
The premium credit for properties in the SFHA increases according to the community's CRS class.
The credit for properties outside the SFHA is lower for Class 1-8 communities because premiums in
these areas are already relatively low and can be lowered further through the Preferred Risk Policy.
Also, most activities undertaken to qualify for those classes are implemented only in the floodplain.
Because areas designated as A99 and AR Zones already receive an insurance premium reduction, these
zones get the same premium reduction as non-SFHA areas.
A community's classification is based on the community total points (cT) as calculated on
activity worksheet AW-720. The qualifying community total points, CRS classes, and flood insurance
premium credits are shown below:
Credit Points (cT) CRS Class Premium
Discount
4,500+ 1 45%
4,000-4,499 2 40%
3,500-3,999 3 35%
3,000-3,499 4 30%
2,500-2,999 5 25%
2,000-2,499 6 20%
1,500-1,999 7 15%
1,000-1,499 8 10%
500-999 9 5%
0-499 10 0
SFHA (Zones A, AE, A1—A30, V, V1—V30, AO, and AH): Credit varies depending on
class.
SFHA (Zones A99, AR, AR/A, AR/AE, AR/A1—A30, AR/AH, and AR/AO): 10% credit
for Classes 1-6; 5% credit for Classes 7-9.
Non-SFHA (Zones B, C, X, D): 10% credit for Classes 1-6; 5% credit for Classes 7-9.
Preferred Risk Policies are not eligible for CRS premium discounts.
The Preferred Risk Policy does not receive premium rate credits under the CRS because it already has a
lower premium than other policies. Preferred Risk Policies are available only in B, C, and X Zones for
properties that are shown to have a minimal risk of flood damage.
Premium reductions are subject to change.
•
Higher Regulatory Standards
The following list includes examples of more restrictive requirements that a
community may adopt. Although not required, communities are encouraged to
adopt more restrictive standards, which would provide additional protection to lives
and properties.
By adopting these or other higher regulatory standards, the community may qualify
for participation in the Community Rating System (CRS). Please refer to CRS
Publication (CRS Credit for Higher Regulatory Standards), which can be
downloaded at http://www.fema.gov/nfip/crs.htm.
Also, another reference on the No Adverse Impacts (NAI) components is the
Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) and its web site
http://www.floods.org.
• Freeboard
-Defined as a factor of safety usually expressed in feet above a flood level i.e.:
require elevations to be 2 feet above base flood elevation (BFE)
• Protection of critical facilities
-Meet 500-year floodplain standards
• Protection of floodplain storage capacity
-Prohibit fill in the 100-year floodplain
• Enclosure limits
-Prohibit all enclosures or limit the enclosure area
• Mandatory disclosure laws
-Require notification that property is located in 100-year floodplain
• More strict enforcement of building codes as it relates to the floodplain
-As it relates to planning and zoning
• Adoption of international building codes
-More restrictive floodplain management standards
• Zoning requirements
-More restrictive floodplain management standards
• Higher floodway standards
-Designate 100-year floodplain as floodway
• Elevation certificate requirement for all new development
-Development in Zones B, C, and X
• •
• Lower substantial improvement threshold
-More restrictive than the 50%minimum standard
• Cumulative substantial improvement/substantial damage
-Combination of multiple improvements/damage in reaching certain threshold
• Regulate development in the B or shaded X Zones
-Mandate 100-year standards in the 500-year floodplain
• Adopt no adverse impact on any property from any flooding source
-Refer to ASFPM website for NAI components
• Enforce all Special Flood Hazard Areas as if they were floodways
-Refer to "Higher Floodway Standards" above
• Enhance Storm water management plan
-Require detention of flood waters, etc.
-Specifically prohibit diverting drainage onto neighboring properties
-Adopt and enforce a subdivision regulation ordinance
-Adopt and enforce a master drainage plan
• Regulations for natural and beneficial functions
-Restrictions on development in sensitive areas, i.e.: wetlands, riparian areas,
shorelines, stream channels, banks, and habitats
• Foundation Protection
-Require site-specific construction standards
• Land development criteria/Open space preservation
-Prohibit/limit development in floodplains
• Low Density Zoning
-Limit development i.e.: no more than one building constructed per acre of
floodplain
• Allow no variances
-Offer no relief to floodplain management standards
• Incorporating state-mandated regulatory standards
-More restrictive floodplain management standards
• Other more restrictive or higher regulatory standards not listed above
• •
Regulations Credited by the CRS Not Related to Minimum NFIP Requirements
Regulations credited in Activity 430 (Higher Regulatory Standards):
Section 431.b: Requiring that fill and building foundations be designed to protect them from damage due to erosion,
scour and settling(FDN).
Section 431.e: Requiring that critical facilities, such as hospitals and hazardous materials storage sites,be protected
from higher flood levels (PCF).
Section 431.f: Maintaining floodplain storage by prohibiting fill or by requiring compensatory storage(PSC).While
floodway regulations preserve flood conveyance,they allow the flood fringe to be filled in which can have a significant
effect on downstream flood heights.
Section 431.g: Prohibiting or regulating developments that can have an adverse impact on public health or water
quality, including alterations to shoreline, channels, and banks (NBR).
Section 431.i: Implementing other regulations that exceed the minimum requirements of the NFIP Regulations(OHS).
Section 431 LZ: Zoning to minimize the number of buildings in the floodplain to reduce the damage potential and help
maintain flood storage and conveyance capacity(LZ).
The NFIP Regulations are oriented toward the more common overbank and coastal flooding. Special hazards
regulations ("SH") are requirements tailored to different conditions. They are found in the separate special hazards
publications listed in Appendix E.
Regulations credited under other activities:
Section 341.b: Requiring developers or sellers to publicize or disclose the flood hazard on their properties (ODR).
Section 421: Prohibiting new buildings in the floodway,V Zone,or other part of the floodplain to preserve open space
(OS).
Section 431LD.a: Regulations that encourage preserving floodplain lands as open space.
Section 451.a: Requiring new developments to provide retention or detention of their stormwater runoff to minimize
the increase in flood flows due to watershed urbanization(SMR).
Section 451.e: Requiring erosion and sedimentation control during construction projects to reduce siltation and the
resulting loss of channel carrying capacity(ESC).
Section 451.f: Requiring developers to implement appropriate "best management practices" that will improve the
quality of stormwater runoff(WQ).
Section 541.b: Prohibiting dumping or placing debris in stream channels (SDR).
Section 631.b: Regulating new developments downstream of dams to protect them from flooding from a dam break
(DFR).
8
OMB No.3067-0195
Expires February 28,2005
430 HIGHER REGULATORY STANDARDS Community:
This activity provides credit for regulations that require new development to be protected to
one or more standards stricter than the NFIP's minimum requirements. More information on
this activity and example regulatory language are provided in CRS Credit for Higher
Regulatory Standards (see page 48).
431 Credit Points
a. Enter 60 points if you have floodplain management regulations that require
freeboard for all new buildings and substantial improvements (i.e., all new
buildings (and their furnaces, utilities, ductwork, etc.) must be elevated or
floodproofed to a level at least_l foot above the base flood elevation).
b. Enter 10 points if your community has adopted and enforces the soil testing and
compaction requirements of the Standard, Uniform, National, or international
Building Codes (also known as the Southern, ICBO, BOCA, and I-Codes).
c. Enter 40 points if you have regulations that require ALL improvements,
modifications, additions, and reconstruction projects to an existing building to be
._counted.cumulatively over a period of at least five years.(Once the total cost of all
the projects reaches 50% of the building's value, the project is considered a
substantial improvement and the building is treated as a new building and must be
elevated). Enter 15 points if all additions to buildings(regardless of size) must be
elevated above the base flood elevation.
d. Enter 18 points if your threshold for substantial improvements is less than 50%.
e. Enter 20 points if you prohibit or restrict critical facilities in the floodplain. t
f. Enter 60 points if you have regulations thatprohibit fill in the floodplain(not just
in the :floodway) or that require compensatory storage.
g. Enter 5 points if you have regulations that prohibit activities in the floodplain that
are hazardous to public health or water quality or that require that new floodplain
developments avoid or minimize disruption to shorelines or stream channels and
their banks.
h. Enter 40 points if your regulations prohibit or restrict building enclosures,
including breakaway walls, below the base flood elevation.
I. Enter 5 points if any of your regulations are mandated by state law.
m. Enter I0 points if your community has a Building Code Effectiveness Grading
Schedule of class 6 or better.Add 25 more points if your community has adopted
either the International Residential Code or the International Building Code
(50 points if your community adopted both codes).
n. Enter 25 points if all proposed development projects in the floodplain and the
certificates of occupancy for such projects are reviewed by a Certified Floodplain
Manager (CFM). if not, enter 5 points for each staff member in the office that
regulates floodplain development who is a CFM or who has graduated from the
Emergency Management Institute's courses on Managing Floodplain Development
or Coastal Construction (see inside back cover). The maximum for this credit is 25
points.
CRS Application 29 Edition: 2002
•
CLAUNCH & MILLER, INC.
Engineering Consultants
July 5,2005
West University Place
Building and Standards Commission
3800 University Boulevard
West University Place, Texas 77005
Attention: Ms.Ness Tesno
Dear Ms.Tesno;
Thanks you for the opportunity to meet with the Building and Standards Commission to
discuss the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. The key issue for the Commission was
deciding on a regulation for setting the minimum Finish Floor Elevation for new
construction. The purpose of this letter is to confirm with the Commission that my
recommendation is to establish the minimum Finish Floor Elevation to be one foot above
the base flood elevation,which is the water surface elevation for the 1% (100 year) storm
event, as shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps(FIRM).
As we discussed, a new release of the FIRM maps will be coming out soon. It is also
recommended that during this interim period prior to the release of the new maps,that the
City use the maps produced by the Tropical Storm Allison Recovery Data that shows a
Base Flood Elevation that was generated using the new data collected for Harris County
during this very large study effort. I believe that this is the best available data for
regulating the Finish Floor Elevations until the new FIRM maps are released.
Please contact me if you have any questions or need additional information.
Sincerely,
Claunch&Miller, Inc.
Sent Electronically
Michael C.Vandewater, P.E.
Sr.Project Manager
4635 Southwest Freeway, Suite 1000 • Houston, Texas 77027 • 713-622-9264