HomeMy WebLinkAboutUS Department of Homeland Security-Flood Protection Project-06.09.2008 n , aodk• - y�o1C �
2-°� U.S.Department of Homeland Security
Region VII
9221 Ward Parkway,Suite 300
Kansas City,MO 64114-3372
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11ND SES' '
March 11,2008
Mr.Aric Shroeder
Senior Planner, City of Waterloo
715 Mulberry Street
Waterloo,IA 50703
Dear Mr. Shroeder:
This is in regard to the Waterloo Flood Protection Project shown on the effective Flood Insurance
Rate Map (FIRM) and in the effective Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report for Black Hawk
County, Iowa. As you may know, the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency
Management Agency(FEMA), is in the process of producing a countywide FIS report and Digital
Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) for Black Hawk County, Iowa. This effort is being
undertaken as part of FEMA's Flood Map Modernization(Map Mod)program.
As part of FEMA's effort to produce the DFIRM, it was determined that the flood hazard
information presented on the effective FIRM and in the FIS report is based, in some areas, on
flood protection provided by the Waterloo Flood Protection Project. Based on the information
available and on the mapping standards of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) at the
time that the FIS was performed, FEMA accredited the levee with providing protection from the
flood that has a 1-percent-chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. This
1-percent-annual-chance flood also is referred to as the base flood.
For FEMA to continue to accredit the identified levee with providing protection from the base
flood,the levee must meet the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Section
65.10(44 CFR 65.10), entitled"Mapping of Areas Protected by Levee Systems"(copy enclosed).
In accordance with 44 CFR 65.10(a), it is the responsibility of the community or other party
seeking recognition of a levee system to provide the data defined and outlined within the
regulation. Specifically, the design and construction data provided must be certified by a
registered professional engineer or by a Federal agency with responsibility for levee design.
FEMA understands that it may take time to acquire and/or assemble the documentation necessary
to fully comply with 44 CFR 65.10. Therefore, FEMA has incorporated a process into the
aggressive schedule of Map Mod that, if needed, will provide you with additional time to submit
all the necessary documentation. Initiation of this process can take place only if you, the levee
owner, and a representative of each impacted community sign and return the enclosed agreement
within 90 days of the date of this letter(before June 10, 2008). Completion and submittal of the
enclosed agreement will officially request that FEMA label the levee as a Provisionally
Accredited Levee(PAL) on the DFIRM and will serve as your agreement that,to the best of your
knowledge, the levee meets the requirements of 44 CFR 65.10. The completed agreement must
be submitted before June 10,2008, for the levee to receive the PAL designation.
www.fema.gov
By endorsing the agreement, you agree to provide all the necessary documentation to comply
with 44 CFR 65.10 before June 10, 2010. If you are unable to submit all of the documentation
necessary to meet the requirements of 44 CFR 65.10 before this date, FEMA will initiate a map
revision to redesignate certain areas on the landward side of the levee as floodprone.
The levees will be labeled as PAL during the 24-month period to convey to map users that levee
certification verification is underway. FEMA recommends that you, the levee owner, and the
impacted communities implement outreach efforts to inform affected property owners that an
assessment of the levee is underway. FEMA also encourages the purchase of flood insurance,
even though coverage is not federally required.
If the documentation necessary to fully comply with 44 CFR 65.10, including an existing
operation and maintenance plan and record of an on-site inspection by a registered professional
engineer, is readily available, please submit the data to this office within 30 days of the date of
this letter. Upon receipt of your submittal,FEMA will review the data and determine whether the
levee will continue to be accredited with providing protection from the base flood.
If you have additional questions regarding the specific submittal requirements, please contact
Julie Grauer of my staff,either by telephone at 816-283-7044 or by facsimile at 816-283-7018.
We look forward to working with you and community officials to address this important matter.
If there is anything we can do to facilitate the submittal process,please let us know.
Sincerely,
Roc i
Robert Bissell
Director,Mitigation Division
FEMA Region VII
Enclosures
PAL Agreement
"Requirements of 44 CFR Section 65.10:Mapping of Areas Protected by Levee Systems"
"Meeting the Criteria for Accrediting Levees on Flood Maps: How-to-Guide for Floodplain Managers
and Engineers"
cc: Timothy J.Hurley,Mayor,City of Waterloo
Bill Cappuccio, State of Iowa NFIP Coordinator
Jerry Skalak,Corps of Engineers,Rock Island District
Senator Chuck Grassley,Washington,DC,Office
Senator Tom Harkin, Washington,DC,Office
Representative Bruce Baley, Washington,DC,Office
Letter of Agreement and Request for Provisionally Accredited Levee(PAL)Designation and
Agreement to Provide Adequate Compliance with the
Code of Federal Regulations,Title 44,Section 65.10(44 CFR 65.10)
We, the undersigned, have received the letter from FEMA dated March 11, 2008, and the enclosed
document entitled "44 CFR Section 65.10: Mapping of Areas Protected by Levee Systems". We
understand that FEMA is in the process of providing updated flood maps for Black Hawk County, Iowa
and that the area behind the levee known as Indianola Levee will be remapped to reflect that the levee has
been designated as a PAL.
To the best of our knowledge, the levee known as Waterloo Flood Protection Project meets the
requirements of 44 CFR 65.10. We hereby submit to FEMA, within 90 days (before June 10, 2008) our
agreement to provide FEMA with all the necessary information to show that the levee known as Waterloo
Flood Protection Project complies with 44 CFR 65.10. We understand that this documentation will be
required before June 10, 2010. This information will allow FEMA to move forward with the flood
mapping for Black Hawk County, Iowa. We fully understand that if complete documentation of
compliance with 44 CFR 65.10 is not provided within the designated timeframe of 24 months, FEMA
will initiate a revision to the Flood Insurance Rate Map to redesignate the area as floodprone.
Levee Owner Representativ signature)
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Date: 6//��pg
Community CEO (signature)
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Date: (,,9 -0
Other(if applicable) 6 .12Q (signature)
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Date: 67 -9-0 K
•
Title 44 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 65.10
Mapping of Areas Protected by Levee Systems
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 44, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 44CFR65.10]
[Page 346-349]
TITLE 44: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND ASSISTANCE
CHAPTER I: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
PART 65:IDENTIFICATION AND MAPPING OF SPECIAL HAZARD AREAS--Table of Contents
Sec. 65.10 Mapping of areas protected by levee systems.
(a) General. For purposes of the NFIP, FEMA will only recognize in its flood hazard and risk
mapping effort those levee systems that meet, and continue to meet, minimum design,
operation, and maintenance standards that are consistent with the level of protection sought
through the comprehensive flood plain management criteria established by Sec. 60.3 of this
subchapter. Accordingly, this section describes the types of information FEMA needs to
recognize, on NFIP maps, that a levee system provides protection from the base flood. This
information must be supplied to FEMA by the community or other party seeking recognition of
such a levee system at the time a flood risk study or restudy is conducted, when a map revision
under the provisions of part 65 of this subchapter is sought based on a levee system, and upon
request by the Administrator during the review of previously recognized structures. The FEMA
review will be for the sole purpose of establishing appropriate risk zone determinations for NFIP
maps and shall not constitute a determination by FEMA as to how a structure or system will
perform in a flood event.
(b) Design criteria. For levees to be recognized by FEMA, evidence that adequate design and
operation and maintenance systems are in place to provide reasonable assurance that
protection from the base flood exists must be provided. The following requirements must be
met:
(1) Freeboard.
(i) Riverine levees must provide a minimum freeboard of three feet above the water-surface
level of the base flood. An additional one foot above the minimum is required within 100 feet in
either side of structures (such as bridges) riverward of the levee or wherever the flow is
constricted. An additional one-half foot above the minimum at the upstream end of the levee,
tapering to not less than the minimum at the downstream end of the levee, is also required.
(ii) Occasionally, exceptions to the minimum riverine freeboard requirement described in
paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, may be approved. Appropriate engineering analyses
demonstrating adequate protection with a lesser freeboard must be submitted to support a
1
request for such an exception. The material presented must evaluate the uncertainty in the
estimated base flood elevation profile and include, but not necessarily be limited to an
assessment of statistical confidence limits of the 100-year discharge; changes in stage-
discharge relationships; and the sources, potential, and magnitude of debris, sediment, and ice
accumulation. It must be also shown that the levee will remain structurally stable during the
base flood when such additional loading considerations are imposed. Under no circumstances
will freeboard of less than two feet be accepted.
(iii) For coastal levees, the freeboard must be established at one foot above the height of the
one percent wave or the maximum wave runup (whichever is greater) associated with the 100-
year stillwater surge elevation at the site.
(iv) Occasionally, exceptions to the minimum coastal levee freeboard requirement described in
paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section, may be approved. Appropriate engineering analyses
demonstrating adequate protection with a lesser freeboard must be submitted to support a
request for such an exception. The material presented must evaluate the uncertainty in the
estimated base flood loading conditions. Particular emphasis must be placed on the effects of
wave attack and overtopping on the stability of the levee. Under no circumstances, however,
will a freeboard of less than two feet above the 100-year stillwater surge elevation be accepted.
(2) Closures All openings must be provided with closure devices that are structural parts of the
system during operation and design according to sound engineering practice.
(3) Embankment protection. Engineering analyses must be submitted that demonstrate that no
appreciable erosion of the levee embankment can be expected during the base flood, as a
result of either currents or waves, and that anticipated erosion will not result in failure of the
levee embankment or foundation directly or indirectly through reduction of the seepage path
and subsequent instability. The factors to be addressed in such analyses include, but are not
limited to: Expected flow velocities (especially in constricted areas); expected wind and wave
action; ice loading; impact of debris; slope protection techniques; duration of flooding at
various stages and velocities; embankment and foundation materials; levee alignment, bends,
and transitions; and levee side slopes.
(4) Embankment and foundation stability. Engineering analyses that evaluate levee
embankment stability must be submitted. The analyses provided shall evaluate expected
seepage during loading conditions associated with the base flood and shall demonstrate that
seepage into or through the levee foundation and embankment will not jeopardize embankment
or foundation stability. An alternative analysis demonstrating that the levee is designed and
constructed for stability against loading conditions for Case IV as defined in the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers (COE) manual, "Design and Construction of Levees"(EM 1110-2-1913,
Chapter 6, Section II), may be used. The factors that shall be addressed in the analyses
include: Depth of flooding, duration of flooding, embankment geometry and length of seepage
path at critical locations, embankment and foundation materials, embankment compaction,
penetrations, other design factors affecting seepage (such as drainage layers), and other design
factors affecting embankment and foundation stability (such as berms).
(5) Settlement. Engineering analyses must be submitted that assess the potential and
magnitude of future losses of freeboard as a result of levee settlement and demonstrate that
freeboard will be maintained within the minimum standards set forth in paragraph (b)(1) of this
2
section. This analysis must address embankment loads, compressibility of embankment soils,
compressibility of foundation soils, age of the levee system, and construction compaction
methods. In addition, detailed settlement analysis using procedures such as those described in
the COE manual, "Soil Mechanics Design--Settlement Analysis"(EM 1100-2-1904) must be
submitted.
(6) Interior drainage. An analysis must be submitted that identifies the source(s) of such
flooding, the extent of the flooded area, and, if the average depth is greater than one foot, the
water-surface elevation(s) of the base flood. This analysis must be based on the joint
probability of interior and exterior flooding and the capacity of facilities (such as drainage lines
and pumps) for evacuating interior floodwaters.
(7) Other design criteria. In unique situations, such as those where the levee system has
relatively high vulnerability, FEMA may require that other design criteria and analyses be
submitted to show that the levees provide adequate protection. In such situations, sound
engineering practice will be the standard on which FEMA will base its determinations. FEMA will
also provide the rationale for requiring this additional information.
(c) Operation plans and criteria. For a levee system to be recognized, the operational criteria
must be as described below. All closure devices or mechanical systems for internal drainage,
whether manual or automatic, must be operated in accordance with an officially adopted
operation manual, a copy of which must be provided to FEMA by the operator when levee or
drainage system recognition is being sought or when the manual for a previously recognized
system is revised in any manner. All operations must be under the jurisdiction of a Federal or
State agency, an agency created by Federal or State law, or an agency of a community
participating in the NFIP.
(1) Closures. Operation plans for closures must include the following:
(i) Documentation of the flood warning system, under the jurisdiction of Federal, State, or
community officials, that will be used to trigger emergency operation activities and
demonstration that sufficient flood warning time exists for the completed operation of all
closure structures, including necessary sealing, before floodwaters reach the base of the
closure.
(ii) A formal plan of operation including specific actions and assignments of responsibility by
individual name or title.
(iii) Provisions for periodic operation, at not less than one-year intervals, of the closure structure
for testing and training purposes.
(2) Interior drainage systems. Interior drainage systems associated with levee systems usually
include storage areas, gravity outlets, pumping stations, or a combination thereof. These
drainage systems will be recognized by FEMA on NFIP maps for flood protection purposes only
if the following minimumcriteria are included in the operation plan:
3
(i) Documentation of the flood warning system, under the jurisdiction of Federal, State, or
community officials, that will be used to trigger emergency operation activities and
demonstration that sufficient flood warning time exists to permit activation of mechanized
portions of the drainage system.
(ii) A formal plan of operation including specific actions and assignments of responsibility by
individual name or title.
(iii) Provision for manual backup for the activation of automatic systems.
(iv) Provisions for periodic inspect on of interior drainage systems and periodic operation of any
mechanized portions for testing and training purposes. No more than one year shall elapse
between either the inspections or the operations.
(3) Other operation plans and criteria. Other operating plans and criteria may be required by
FEMA to ensure that adequate protection is provided in specific situations. In such cases, sound
emergency management practice will be the standard upon which FEMA determinations will be
based.
(d) Maintenance plans and criteria. For levee systems to be recognized as providing protection
from the base flood, the maintenance criteria must be as described herein. Levee systems must
be maintained in accordance with an officially adopted maintenance plan, and a copy of this
plan must be provided to FEMA by the owner of the levee system when recognition is being
sought or when the plan for a previously recognized system is revised in any manner. All
maintenance activities must be under the jurisdiction of a Federal or State agency, an agency
created by Federal or State law, or an agency of a community participating in the NFIP that
must assume ultimate responsibility for maintenance. This plan must document the formal
procedure that ensures that the stability, height, and overall integrity of the levee and its
associated structures and systems are maintained. At a minimum, maintenance plans shall
specify the maintenance activities to be performed, the frequency of their performance, and the
person by name or title responsible for their performance.
(e) Certification requirements. Data submitted to support that a given levee system complies
with the structural requirements set:forth in paragraphs (b)(1) through (7) of this section must
be certified by a registered professional engineer. Also, certified as-built plans of the levee must
be submitted. Certifications are subject to the definition given at Sec. 65.2 of this subchapter.
In lieu of these structural requirements, a Federal agency with responsibility for levee design
may certify that the levee has been adequately designed and constructed to provide protection
against the base flood.
[51 FR 30316, Aug. 25, 1986]
4
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A levee is a manmade structure, To help clarify the responsibilities
usually an earthen embankment, of community officials,levee COMMUNITIES WITH
designed and constructed in owners,or other parties seeking
accordance with sound engineering recognition of a levee for LEVEES SC�IOIJL KlgOtl :
practices to contain, control,or providing information on levees
divert the flow of water so as to identified during a mapping • The participating
provide protection from temporary project,FEMA issued Procedure communityand/or -
flooding. include
g Memorandum No.34(PM 34), other party seeking
floodwalls and other flood-control Interim Guidance for Studies recognition or
structures(not including dams). Including Levees,on continued
August 22,2005, PM 34 provided recognition must
As part of the countywide flood clarification of the existing provide sufficient
mapping process,the Department procedures, which were provided data showing that
of Homeland Security,Federal in Appendix H of FEMA's the levee provides
Emergency Management Agency Guidelines and Specifications for protection from the
(FEMA)and its State and local Flood Hazard Mapping Partners. I-percent-annual-
mapping partners need to review chance flood (also
data associated with levees. FEMA issued Revised Procedure known as the base
Memorandum No.43,Guidelines flood) for FEMA to
It is the levee owner's or for Identifying Provisionally recognize the levee
community's responsibility to Accredited Levees,on March 16, on a FIRM.
provide data and documentation to 2007,which will allow mapping
demonstrate that a levee meets the contractors and partners to issue • Communities must
requirements of the National Flood preliminary and, in some cases, actively participate in
Insurance Program(NFIP)as effective flood maps while the levee
described in Title 44, Chapter 1, communities and levee owners are documentation process.
Section 65.10 of the Code of compiling and submitting the full
Federal Regulations(44 CFR documentation necessary to show • Levees structures
Section 65.10)which you may compliance with 44 CFR Section without sufficient
view on FEMA's Web site at 65.10 requirements. documentation will not
www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/ be credited as providing
fhm/Iv_fpm.shtm. This document provides flood protection.
information regarding what types
To be recognized as providing of information you'll need to • Some levees may
protection from the 1-percent- submit during the mapping process qualify to be shown as
annual-chance flood on Flood for your levee to be recognized as Provisionally Accredited
Insurance Rate Maps(FIRMs), providing protection on FIRMS, Levees on the FIRM.
levee systems must meet and including a checklist and an index Guidance regarding
continue to meet the minimum of further resources you may wish Provisionally Accredited
design,operation,and maintenance to consult. Levees is available at
standards of 44 CFR Section 65.10 www.fema.gov/plan/
of the NFIP regulations. prevent/fhm/Iv_fpm.
shtm.
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FEMAApril 2007 PAGE 1
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HOW WILL FEMA MAP LEVEES?
FEMA's mapping requirements are designed to provide the people living and working behind the levee with appropriate
risk information so that they may minimize damage and loss of life. It is important to note that FEMA does not evaluate
the performance of a levee—this is the responsibility of the levee owner. FEMA is responsible for establishing mapping
standards and risk determination zones and reflecting these determinations on flood maps.
Levee Accredited on FIRM
t WARNNID!THIS AREA NI SHOWN AS BEING PROTECTED FROM = An accredited levee is a levee that FEMA shows on a FIRM
�' THE/PERCENT ANNUAL CHANCE FLOOD HAZARD BY LEVEE
o oR OTHER STRUCTURE,ov OPPINO FAIULTE of as providing protection from the 1-percent-annual-chance or
TNIS STRUCTURE fs POSSIS "wHICN COULD REMIT N!
DESTRUCTIVE PROTECTION,FLOOD
I ELEVATIONS.AND WATER YEIOCITiEs. greater flood. This determination is based on the submittal of
PROPER PROTECTION,FLOOD INSURANCE,ANC ADHERENCE
TO EVACUATION PROCEDURES ARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED ' data and documentation as required bythe NFIP regulations.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION,SEE TOE NOTES TO USERS. ,, LI
r F ' ;;. The area landward of an accredited levee is shown as Zone X
e- ti (shaded)on the FIRM except for areas of residual flooding,
` ti /, such as ponding areas,which will be shown as Special Flood
`' " ' �"'_ f ii Hazard Area. Flood insurance is not mandatoryin Zone X
,1: ' fi" y (shaded);however, it is strongly encouraged for all structures
/'' in areas behind levees.
`. _ .++ ✓ a4
ti '/, f „ Provisionally Accredited Levee(PAL)
-4 ;;` ` �" ,,, r A PAL is a designation for a levee that FEMA has previously
1 h accredited with providing 1-percent-annual-chance flood protection
. WARNINM PROVISIONALLY ACCREDITED f on an effective FIRM,and for which FEMA is awaiting data and/or
'� LEVEE FOR EXPLANATION.SEE THE i`' documentation that will show the levee's compliance with NFIP
NOTES TO USERS. regulations. Before FEMA will designate a levee as a PAL,the
}: }
;'-4� .�.��} •', community or levee owner will need to sign and return an
"�"' , agreement that indicates that documentation required for
,' ' - *' ' ' compliance with 44 CFR Section 65.10 of the NFIP regulations will
'`she %, ,,� ,� ``�, be provided within a specified timeframe,depending upon the
levee's status. Flood insurance is not mandatoryfor structures
-- r fi 4 s ' ' , f r behind a levee with provisional status however,it is strongly
.= `-tv-- k- .: `' - . encouraged. g Y
} - Levee Not Accredited or De-accredited on FIRM
If the levee is not shown as providing protection from the
'' 1-percent-annual-chance flood on an effective FIRM,the levee is
}** considered"not accredited"and is mapped as Zone AE ort
`` = ! '4 „- Zone A,depending upon thetype of._ = , � ,! '� p g p study performed for the area.
, . P If the levee was previously shown providing protection from theR i_ ' r ' 1-percent-annual-chance flood on an effective FIRM but does not
<. � `� meet the Provisionally Accredited Levee(PAL)requirements or
h is no longer eligible for the PAL,FEMA will"de-accredit"the
,''' ' �rt levee and the area landward of the levee will be remapped as
=� v`t Zone AE or Zone A(high-risk flood zones)depending on the
f` _: type of study performed for the area. Flood insurance will be
`- F' '' required for structures with a federally backed mortgage.
April 2007 PAGE 2
Design Criteria" Section of the NFIP Regulations: 65.10(b)
Description: For levees to be recognized by FEMA,evidence that adequate design and operation and maintenance
systems are in place to provide reasonable assurance that protection from the base flood exists must be provided. The
following requirements must be met:
Checklist for Design Criteria:
Freeboard. Minimum freeboard required 3 feet above the Base Flood Elevation(BFE)all along
I
length,and an additional 1 foot within 100 feet of structures(such as bridges)or wherever the flow is
restricted. Additional 0.5 foot at the upstream end of levee. Coastal levees have special freeboard
requirements(see 65.10(b)(1)(iii)and(iv)).
® Closures. All openings must be provided with closure devices that are structural parts of the system
during operation and designed according to sound engineering practice.
Embankment Protection.Engineering analyses must be submitted that demonstrate that no
® appreciable erosion of the levee embankment can be expected during the base flood,as a result of either
currents or waves,and that anticipated erosion will not result in failure of the levee embankment or
foundation directly or indirectly through reduction of the seepage path and subsequent instability.
Embankment and Foundation Stability Analyses.Engineering analyses that evaluate levee
embankment stability must be submitted. The analyses provided shall evaluate expected seepage
® during loading conditions associated with the base flood and shall demonstrate that seepage into or
through the levee foundation and embankment will not jeopardize embankment or foundation stability.
An alternative analysis demonstrating that the levee is designed and constructed for stability against
loading conditions for Case IV as defined in the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers(USACE)manual,
Design and Construction of Levees,(EM 1110-2-1913,Chapter 6,Section II),may be used.
Settlement Analyses. Engineering analyses must be submitted that assess the potential and magnitude
of future losses of freeboard as a result of levee settlement and demonstrate that freeboard will be
I maintained. This analysis must address embankment loads,compressibility of embankment soils,
compressibility of foundation soils,age of the levee system,and construction compaction methods. In
addition,detailed settlement analysis using procedures such as those described in the USACE manual,
Soil Mechanics Design—Settlement Analysis(EM 1100-2-1904),must be submitted.
Interior Drainage. An analysis must be submitted that identifies the source(s)of such flooding,the
® extent of the flooded area,and,if the average depth is greater than one foot,the water-surface
elevation(s)of the base flood. This analysis must be based on the joint probability of interior and
exterior flooding and the capacity of facilities(such as drainage lines and pumps)for evacuating
interior floodwaters.
April 2007 PAGE 3
'}4 sir Ly1 ! i -t
Operation Plan* Section of the NFIP Regulations: 65.10(c)(1)
Description: For a levee system to be recognized,the operational criteria must be as described below. All closure
devices or mechanical systems for internal drainage,whether manual or automatic,must be operated in accordance with
an officially adopted operation manual,a copy of which must be provided to FEMA by the operator when levee or
drainage system recognition is being sought or when the manual for a previously recognized system is revised in any
manner. All operations must be under the jurisdiction of a Federal or State agency,an agency created by Federal or State
law,or an agency of a community participating in the NFIP.
Checklist for Operation Plan:
Flood Warning System. Documentation of the flood warning system,under the jurisdiction of
1111
Federal, State, or community officials that will be used to trigger emergency operation activities; and
demonstration that sufficient flood warning time exists for the completed operation of all closure
structures, including necessary sealing,before floodwaters reach the base of the closure.
I Plan of Operation. A formal plan of operation including specific actions and assignments of
responsibility by individual name or title.
® Periodic Operation of Closures. Provisions for periodic operation,at not less than one-year
intervals,of the closure structure for testing and training purposes.
Interior Drainage Plan. See below.
Interior Drainage Section of the NFIP Regulations: 65.10(c)(2)
Plan
Description: Interior drainage systems associated with levee systems usually include storage areas,gravity outlets,
pumping stations,or a combination thereof. These drainage systems will be recognized by FEMA on NFIP maps for
flood protection purposes only if the following minimum criteria are included in the operation plan.
Checklist for Interior Drainage Plan:
Flood Warning System. Documentation of the flood warning system,under the jurisdiction of
I
Federal, State, or community officials that will be used to trigger emergency operation activities;and
demonstration that sufficient flood warning time exists to permit activation of mechanized portions
of the drainage system.
I
Plan of Operation. A formal plan of operation including specific actions and assignments of
responsibility by individual name or title.
April 2007 PAGE 4
IIIManual Backup. Provision for manual backup for the activation of automatic systems.
■ Periodic Inspection. Provisions for periodic inspection of interior drainage systems and periodic
operation of any mechanized portions for testing and training purposes. No more than 1 year shall
elapse between either the inspections or the operations.
Maintenance Section of the NFIP Regulations:65.10(d)
Plan
Description: For levee systems to be recognized as providing protection from the base flood,the maintenance criteria
must be as described herein:
Checklist for Maintenance Plan:
■ Levee systems must be maintained in accordance with an officially adopted maintenance plan, and a
copy of this plan must be provided to FEMA by the owner of the levee system when recognition is
being sought or when the plan for a previously recognized system is revised in any manner.
I All maintenance activities must be under the jurisdiction of a Federal or State agency,an agency
created by Federal or State law,or an agency of a community participating in the NFIP that must
assume ultimate responsibility for maintenance.
IThis plan must document the formal procedure that ensures that the stability,height,and overall
integrity of the levee and its associated structures and systems are maintained. At a minimum,the
plan shall specify the maintenance activities to be performed,the frequency of their performance,and
the person by name or title responsible for their performance.
Certification Section of the NFIP Regulations: 6s.10(e)
Description: Data submitted to support that a given levee system complies with the structural requirements set forth in
"Design Criteria"(paragraphs(b)(1)through(7)of the regulations)must be certified by a registered.PE. Also,certified
"as-built"plans of the levee must be submitted. Certifications are subject to the definition given in Section 65.2 of the
NFIP regulations. In lieu of these structural requirements,a Federal agency with responsibility fOr-levee design:may
certify.that the levee has been adequately designed and constructed to provide protection against the base flood.
Checklist for Certification Requirement:
■ All data submitted is certified by Professional Engineer or certified by a Federal agency.
■ Certified as-built levee plans are included in the submittal.
April 2007 PAGE 5
t
A NOTE ABOUT RISK AND
FLOOD INSURANCE CHECKLIST INFORMATION
The checklist provided in this publication is meant to assist local officials and
It is important to note that levee owners in gathering the documentation that will be required for FEMA
o provide to show a levee as providing base flood protection on the community's FIRM.
levees are designed
Where possible,text from the actual NFIP regulations(44 CFR Section 65.10)
a specific level of protection. was used.
They can be overtopped or fail
in a larger flood events. The checklist is set up according to the appropriate paragraph of 65.10. For
example,Design Criteria can be found in Paragraph 65.10(b):
Levees also decay over time.
Design Criteria' Section of the FENIA Revelations:65.100 j
They require regular
maintenance andperiodic � ,� 1
and eft ��ndrnaiitt 8ttc�s a" ik i , 0 11
upgrades to retain their level of assur�ncethatprotection , mth� ' oc4,t t#11;0$91 d Tb,e
following requirements rtt £.i00Y w
protection. When levees do
fail, they fail catastrophically.
For a comprehensive description of each item in this checklist,please see
The damage may be more
Appendix H of the Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping
significant than if the levee Partners. Locations of this resource, and other useful resources,are provided
was not there at all. below.
For all these reasons, FEMA INDEX OF RESOURCES
This resource,and other levee-related information and materials,can be found
strongly urges people to
at www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/lv intro.shtm.
understand their flood risk,
know their evacuation Procedure Memorandum No.34,Interim Guidance for Studies Including
Levees, can be found at www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/lv fpm.shtm.
procedures, and protect their
property by purchasing flood Revised Procedure Memorandum No.43, Guidelines for Identifying
Insurance. � Provisionally Accredited Levees, can be found at
wvvw.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhin/lv_fpm.shtm.
Appendix H of the Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping
Partners can be downloaded at www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/flim/dl_cgs.shtm.
44 CFR Section 65.10 of the NFIP regulations can be downloaded at
www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/ly fpm.shtm.
Flood insurance information can be found at www.fema.gov/business/nfip or
on the NFIP's consumer site,www.FloodSmart.gov.
April 2007 PAGE 6