Federal Emergency Management Agency November 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Comments are requested on the proposed Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and proposed BFE modifications for the communities listed in the table below. The purpose of this proposed rule is to seek general information and comment regarding the proposed regulatory flood elevations for the reach described by the downstream and upstream locations in the table below. The BFEs and modified BFEs are a part of the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In addition, these elevations, once finalized, will be used by insurance agents and others to calculate appropriate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and the contents in those buildings.

Pursuant to the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), via the Federal Insurance Administrator, must publish flood elevation determinations for comment in the Federal Register. Currently, FEMA publishes base flood elevation (BFE) determinations for Flood Insurance Studies (FISs, also referred to as flood studies) as proposed and final rules, and Letters of Map Revision (LOMRs) that include changes to the technical content of a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) or FIS as interim and final rules. FEMA now plans to publish these determinations as notices rather than as rules. This new procedure will not affect the notice or appeals process for these determinations. FEMA also plans to publish other types of flood hazard determinations in the Federal Register with the opportunity for comment and appeal. These other types of flood hazard determinations include new and modified Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) and new or modified regulatory floodways.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Virginia (FEMA-4042-DR), dated November 4, 2011, and related determinations.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Vermont (FEMA-4043-DR), dated November 8, 2011, and related determinations.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of an emergency for the State of New Hampshire (FEMA-3344-EM), dated November 1, 2011, and related determinations.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the District of Columbia (FEMA-4044-DR), dated November 8, 2011, and related determinations.

Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and modified BFEs are made final for the communities listed below. The BFEs and modified BFEs are the basis for the floodplain management measures that each community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is issuing two final guidance documents: Supplement 4 (Supplement 4) to ``Criteria for Preparation and Evaluation of Radiological Emergency Response Plans and Preparedness in Support of Nuclear Power Plants,'' NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP- 1, Revision 1 (NUREG-0654), and the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program Manual (the REP Program Manual). Supplement 4 is a joint document issued by FEMA and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) that contains the evaluation criteria against which FEMA and the NRC measure the emergency preparedness plans of nuclear power plant owners, operators and the State, local, and Tribal jurisdictions in which they reside. The REP Program Manual is intended to be the principal source of policy and guidance for State, local, and Tribal jurisdictions. Supplement 4 revises and provides additional offsite requirements for emergency preparedness programs at the Nation's nuclear power plants, as well as requirements for backup means for alert and notification and coordination between licensees and offsite responders. The REP Program Manual consolidates many of the REP Program's operative guidance and policy documents into one location, and provides additional guidance on Supplement 4 criteria. FEMA is also providing the public comment adjudication matrix for the REP Program Manual and Supplement 4.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on a revision of a currently approved information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning the Elevation Certificate and the Floodproofing Certificate for Non-Residential Structures.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on a proposed revision of a currently approved information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning the Emergency Management Institute Course Evaluation Form, which is used to evaluate the quality of course deliveries, facilities, and instructors at the Emergency Management Institute (EMI).

This Notice provides guidelines that describe the application process for grants and the criteria for awarding grants in the fiscal year (FY) 2011 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program year. It explains the differences, if any, between these guidelines and those recommended by representatives of the Nation's fire service leadership during the annual Criteria Development meeting, which was held October 6-7, 2010. The application period for the FY 2011 AFG Program year was open from August 15, 2011, to September 23, 2011, and was announced on https://www.grants.gov. Approximately 16,491 applications for AFG funding were submitted electronically, using the application submission form and process available at https://portal.fema.gov. Before the application period, the FY 2011 AFG Guidance and Application Kit was published on the AFG Web site (https://www.fema.gov/firegrants). Additional information to assist applicants also was provided on the AFG Web site, including an applicant tutorial, a Get Ready Guide, and a Narrative Assistance Guide. The AFG Program makes grants directly to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical services (EMS) organizations for the purpose of enhancing the abilities of first responders to protect the health and safety of the public as well as that of first-responder personnel facing fire and fire-related hazards. In addition, the authorizing statute requires that a minimum of 5 percent of appropriated funds be expended for fire prevention and safety grants, which are also made directly to local fire departments and to local, regional, State, or national entities recognized for their expertise in the fields of fire prevention and firefighter safety research and development.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on a proposed revision of a currently approved information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning the National Flood Insurance Program Mortgage Portfolio Protection program, which is an option that companies participating in the National Flood Insurance Program can use to bring their mortgage loan portfolios into compliance with the flood insurance purchase requirements. To participate in the Mortgage Portfolio Protection Program, the company must agree to adhere to certain guidelines and requirements in the implementation package published by the Associate Administrator for Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration. The Write Your Own insurance company signs documentation noting they agree to adhere to these requirements.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of New Jersey (FEMA-4039-DR), dated October 14, 2011, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (FEMA-4028-DR), dated September 3, 2011, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Maryland (FEMA-4034-DR), dated September 16, 2011, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Maryland (FEMA-4038-DR), dated October 5, 2011, and related determinations.

Comments are requested on the proposed Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and proposed BFE modifications for the communities listed in the table below. The purpose of this proposed rule is to seek general information and comment regarding the proposed regulatory flood elevations for the reach described by the downstream and upstream locations in the table below. The BFEs and modified BFEs are a part of the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In addition, these elevations, once finalized, will be used by insurance agents and others to calculate appropriate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and the contents in those buildings.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on a proposed extension, without change, of a currently approved information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning the collection of information regarding the existence of smoke detectors and sprinkler systems within hotels and motels.

Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and modified BFEs are made final for the communities listed below. The BFEs and modified BFEs are the basis for the floodplain management measures that each community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (FEMA-4030-DR), dated September 12, 2011, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of New York (FEMA-4031-DR), dated September 13, 2011, and related determinations.

Modified Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) are finalized for the communities listed below. These modified BFEs will be used to calculate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and their contents.

Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and modified BFEs are made final for the communities listed below. The BFEs and modified BFEs are the basis for the floodplain management measures that each community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).