Monroe, MI - U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) and U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI15) released today a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in relation to proposed changes to the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and their impact on municipalities in Monroe County. 

Senator Levin and Congressman Dingell wrote FEMA to request an extension to the period in which the affected municipalities could comment on the updated FIRMs, set to expire October 21, 2010.  Levin and Dingell also urged FEMA to grant an invitation from Monroe Mayor Robert Clark to clarify the flood map modernization process.  In response to Levin and Dingell’s request, FEMA has extended the comment period through December 31, 2010.  In addition, FEMA will brief local officials on the methods and metrics used in the FIRMs process. 

“Determining the boundaries of the Flood Insurance Rate Maps is a matter of grave concern to the affected residents in Monroe County,” said Dingell.  “It is critical that local units of government and residents have ample opportunity to have their questions and concerns addressed.  Additionally, I am committed to ensuring FEMA is using the best methods available to determine the most appropriate and accurate flood plain maps.”

"It is only fair and appropriate that the communities and residents affected by this process have ample opportunity to review how FEMA arrived at the proposed changes and to get answers to their questions," Levin said.

The FIRMs are used by local and state governments, insurance agents, lenders, developers and residents to identify flood risk and reduce loss of life and property that result from flooding events through planning and safe floodplain management practices.  Under FEMA’s Map Modernization program, the existing paper FIRMs will be produced on a new, digital based map. According to FEMA, digitally updating the FIRMs will likely result in some changes in the floodplain boundaries.