[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 25 (Thursday, February 6, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5739-5740]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2964]



Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 25 / Thursday, February 6, 1997 / 
Notices

[[Page 5739]]



FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY


Fee Schedule for Processing Requests for Map Changes and for 
Flood Insurance Study Backup Data for Fiscal Year 1997

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice contains the revised fee schedules for processing 
certain requests for changes to National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) 
maps and for processing requests for Flood Insurance Study (FIS) backup 
data. The changes in the fee schedules will allow FEMA to reduce 
further the expenses to the NFIP by recovering more fully the costs 
associated with (1) processing conditional and final map change 
requests and (2) retrieving, reproducing, and distributing technical 
and administrative support data related to FIS analyses and mapping.

DATES: The revised fee schedules are effective for all requests dated 
October 1, 1996 or later.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick H. Sharrocks, Jr., Chief, 
Hazard Identification Branch, 500 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20472, 
(202) 646-2756 or by facsimile at (202) 646-4596 (not toll-free calls).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice contains the revised fee 
schedules for processing certain requests for changes to NFIP maps and 
for processing requests for FIS backup data. The revised schedule for 
map changes is effective for all requests dated October 1, 1996, or 
later, in accordance with the final rule for changes to 44 CFR parts 
65, 70, and 72 published elsewhere in this edition of the Federal 
Register, and supersedes the current fee schedule established on June 
30, 1992.
    The revised fee schedule for requests for FIS backup data also is 
effective for all requests dated October 1, 1996 or later, and 
supersedes the current fee schedule published in the Federal Register 
on June 30, 1992.
    The basis for the fee schedule for requests for Conditional Letters 
of Map Amendment (CLOMAs), Conditional Letters of Map Revision Based on 
Fill (CLOMR-Fs), Conditional Letters of Map Revision (CLOMRs), Letters 
of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-Fs), Letters of Map Revision 
(LOMRs), and Physical Map Revisions (PMRs) and for the fee schedule for 
requests for FIS backup data is provided in the separately published 
final rule.
    A primary component of the fees is the prevailing private-sector 
rates charged to FEMA for labor and materials. Because these rates and 
the actual review and processing costs may vary from year to year, FEMA 
will evaluate the fees at the end of each fiscal year and publish 
revised fee schedules, when needed, as notices in the Federal Register.

Simplification of Fee Schedule for Conditional and Final Map 
Changes

    The existing fee collection process is complex and its 
administration requires time-intensive efforts on the part of FEMA. It 
also increases the time required to provide the requesters with the 
product they require. The current system requires requesters to submit 
an initial fee that is not intended to cover the full review and 
processing costs or the cartographic production costs. Requesters 
subsequently receive invoices for the balances. The current system is 
complicated further by the pre-authorized spending limits placed on 
each product. When FEMA determines these limits will be exceeded, 
written authorization to proceed must be obtained before FEMA can 
proceed with its review. Processing of the request is delayed until the 
written authorization is received.
    FEMA has streamlined the process by (1) charging flat user fees for 
most map change products and services; (2) requiring full payment of 
fees before work is begun on most map change requests; (3) 
consolidating similar products or services into a limited number of 
user fee categories; and (4) limiting the number of products for which 
requesters may receive exemptions from payment of fees. As a result, 
requesters know the cost of most products before FEMA begins work.
    The initial fee for requests for LOMRs and CLOMRs based on 
structural measures on alluvial fans has been maintained because (1) 
such requests are rare, (2) the FEMA review for these requests is 
usually very complex, and (3) the costs involved in processing the 
requests can fluctuate significantly.

Fees for Conditional and Final Map Revisions Based on Structural 
Measures on Alluvial Fans

    Based on a review of actual cost data for Fiscal Year 1995, FEMA 
established $5,000 as the initial fee for requests for LOMRs and CLOMRs 
based on structural measures on alluvial fans. FEMA will recover the 
remainder of the review and processing costs by invoicing the requester 
before issuing a determination letter, consistent with current 
practice. The prevailing private-sector labor rate charged to FEMA ($50 
per hour) will be used to calculate the total reimbursable fees.

Fee Schedule for Requests for Conditional Letters of Map Amendment and 
Conditional and Final Letters of Map Revision Based on Fill

    Based on a review of actual cost data for Fiscal Year 1995, FEMA 
established the following flat user fees, which are to be submitted by 
requesters with all requests dated October 1, 1996 or later:

Request for single-lot/single-structure CLOMA, CLOMR-F, and LOMR-F, 
$400
Request for multiple-lot/multiple-structure CLOMA, $700
Request for multiple-lot/multiple-structure CLOMR-F and LOMR-F, $800
Request for single-lot/single-structure LOMR-F based on as-built 
information (CLOMR-F previously issued by FEMA), $300
Request for multiple-lot/multiple-structure LOMR-F based on as-built 
information (CLOMR-F previously issued by FEMA), $700

Fee Schedule for Requests for Map Revisions

    Unless the request is otherwise exempted under 44 CFR 72.5, 
requesters must submit the flat user fees shown below with requests for 
LOMRs and PMRs dated October 1, 1996 or later that are not based on 
structural measures on alluvial fans. These fees are based on a review 
of actual cost data for Fiscal Year 1995.

Request based on bridge, culvert, channel, or combination thereof, 
$3,700
Request based on levee, berm, or other structural measure, $4,300
Request based on as-built information submitted as followup to CLOMR, 
$2,300
Request based solely on submission of more detailed data, $2,300

Fee Schedule for Requests for Conditional Map Revisions

    Unless the request is otherwise exempted under 44 CFR 72.5, 
requesters must submit the flat user fees shown below with requests for 
CLOMRs dated October 1, 1996 or later that are not based on structural 
measures on alluvial fans. These fees are based on a review of actual 
cost data for Fiscal Year 1995.

Request based on new hydrology, bridge, culvert, channel, or 
combination thereof, $3,100
Request based on levee, berm, or other structural measure, $3,300

[[Page 5740]]

Fee Schedule for Requests for Flood Insurance Study Backup Data

    Requesters must submit the user fees shown below with requests for 
FIS backup data dated October 1, 1996 or later. These fees are based on 
a review of actual cost data for Fiscal Year 1995. They are based on 
the complete recovery of FEMA's costs for retrieving, reproducing, and 
distributing the data, as well as a pro rata share of the costs for 
maintaining the data and operating the fee reimbursement system.
    As under the previous fee schedule, all entities except FEMA's 
Study Contractors, FEMA's Technical Evaluation Contractors, and the 
Federal agencies involved in performing FISs (i.e., U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey, Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, and Tennessee Valley Authority) will be charged for requests 
for FIS backup data. The only other exception is that one copy of the 
FIS backup data will be provided to a community free of charge if the 
data are requested during the statutory 90-day appeal period for an 
initial or revised FIS for that community.
    FEMA has established seven categories into which requests for FIS 
backup data are separated. These categories are:
    (1) Category 1--Paper copies, microfiche, or diskettes of 
hydrologic and hydraulic backup data for current or previously 
effective FIS
    (2) Category 2--Paper or mylar copies of topographic mapping 
developed during FIS process
    (3) Category 3--Paper copies or microfiche of survey notes 
developed during FIS process
    (4) Category 4--Paper copies of individual Letters of Map Change
    (5) Category 5--Paper copies of preliminary map panels
    (6) Category 6--Computer tapes of Digital Line Graph files
    (7) Category 7--Computer diskettes and user's manuals for FEMA 
programs (e.g., Wave Height, Wave Runup, Alluvial Fan)
    A non-refundable fee of $90, to cover the preliminary costs of 
research and retrieval, must be submitted to initiate requests for data 
under Categories 1, 2, and 3. The total costs of processing requests in 
Categories 1, 2, and 3 above will vary based on the complexity of the 
research involved in retrieving the data and the volume and medium of 
data to be reproduced and distributed. The initial fee will be applied 
against the total costs to process the request, and FEMA will invoice 
the requester for the balance before the data are provided. No data 
will be provided to a requester until all required fees have been paid.
    No initial fee is required to initiate a request for data under 
Categories 4 through 7. Requesters will be notified by telephone about 
the availability of materials and the fees associated with requested 
data. As with requests for data under Categories 1, 2, and 3, no data 
will be provided to requesters until all required fees are paid.
    The costs for processing requests under Categories 4 through 7 will 
not vary. Therefore, FEMA established flat user fees for these 
categories of requests. The flat user fees are shown below.

Request Under Category 4
    First letter, $ 40
    Each additional letter, $10
Request Under Category 5
    First panel, $35
    Each additional panel, $2
Request Under Category 6 (per county), $150
Request Under Category 7 (per copy), $25

Payment Submission Requirements

    Fee payments must be made in advance of services being rendered. 
These payments shall be made in the form of a check or money order or 
by credit card payment. Checks and money orders must be made payable, 
in U.S. funds, to the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA will 
provide receipts to requesters for their records or billing purposes.
    The fees collected will be deposited to the National Flood 
Insurance Fund, which is the source of funding for providing these 
services.

    Dated: January 28, 1997.
Richard W. Krimm,
Executive Associate Director, Mitigation Directorate.
[FR Doc. 97-2964 Filed 2-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-04-P