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According to FEMA Region V Director Edward Buikema, reliable
information about flood risk is the first step in preventing and
reducing losses. "The Map Modernization initiative gives homeowners,
communities and government agencies the ability to broaden risk
management activities from a single hazard to a multi-hazard
approach," Buikema said. "It also assists us with efficient and
effective flood plain management and helps increase public awareness
of flood dangers." The Cooperating Technical Partners Program
allows FEMA to leverage taxpayer dollars and access state-of-the-art
technology while building a safer, more disaster-resilient nation.
"Flooding is a dynamic hazard, and older maps may not reflect recent
development or natural changes in the environment," Buikema said.
"Through CTP cooperative agreements, FEMA hopes to enhance state
capabilities and fully develop state partners."
This agreement will allow the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources to produce digital flood insurance rate maps, hydrologic
and hydraulic analyses, and flood plain mapping for Adams, Brown,
Calhoun, Cass, Fulton, Greene, Grundy, Iroquois, Jersey, Kane,
Kankakee, LaSalle, Lee, Mason, Menard, Morgan, Ogle, Pike, Schuyler,
Scott, Stephenson and Will counties.
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 The Cooperating Technical Partners initiative is a component of
FEMA's Map Modernization program, which began in 2003. The
modernization program is a multiyear presidential initiative
supported by Congress and directed at improving and updating the
nation's flood hazard identification maps. Through the program, FEMA
will provide reliable digital flood hazard data and maps for the
United States to support the National Flood Insurance Program.
Progress towards initiative goals has been assessed, and FEMA is
making changes in its implementation of the initiative that will
result in better-targeted and more accurate flood data, while also
producing digital flood maps for a significant portion of the
nation.
To learn more about the Cooperating Technical Partners Program,
flood hazard mapping and digital flood insurance rate maps, or to
download FEMA's
"Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard
Mapping Partners," visit
http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/index.shtm.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any
national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works
with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National
Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
[FEMA
Region 5 news release] |
