Georgia’s map modernization scoping effort

Abstract

This paper discusses the Georgia Flood Map Modernization Program and the associated study scoping effort. Georgia is partnering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to create, update, and republish the Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) for all 159 counties and 531 communities in the State. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has taken responsibility for the program for the State of Georgia. This project will benefit virtually every citizen of the State by creating more accurate and more easily accessible flood maps. Through this process, local governments in Georgia may contribute mapping data to the process. With Georgia having the most local government jurisdictions per state in FEMA Region IV, the identification and assembly of local data is an enormous effort. The EPD contributes contractor services, technical support and eventually map production services and other tools to benefit local governments. The technical assistance provided by the EPD encompasses all aspects of the FEMA map modernization effort, including project scoping, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, floodplain delineation, QA/QC, DFIRM production, outreach and eventually long-term map maintenance.