Flood Mapping Reform Discussed on Capitol Hill

Representatives from several groups interested in FEMA's map modernization efforts were in Washington this week to testify at the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity Hearing on The Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007 (H.R. 1682).

A key part of the discussion was the effort to modernize FEMA flood maps.

Witnesses included representatives from:

• The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM)
• The Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (MAPPS)
• The American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM)
• The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America
• The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America
• The National Association of Realtors

According to a MAPPS news update, the Mapps representative "called for FEMA to collect accurate ground elevation data using the latest state-of-the-art commercial geospatial technologies." MAPPS also called for a move to fully embrace digital products "with the goal of eliminating paper products by 2010."

The representative of the floodplain managers supported greater use of digital data and GIS data and tools, but suggested that, given limited resources, engineering studies of flood risk based on existing data are more important in the short term than expanded acquisition of new, higher-resolution digital elevation data.

There was support for re-establishing the Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC), but concern that it be given broad representation and sufficient authority to be effective.

The MAPPS testimony also included a suggestion that FEMA be given access to the Census Bureau's Master Address File (MAF). This could be a contentious idea; Census has a tradition, and a legislative mandate, to guard that file closely because of privacy concerns.

The listing of hearing witnesses includes links to the written testimony submitted by each witness. It will eventually also include a hearing transcript.