The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is continuing its program to update the nation's floodplain maps. This program is commonly referred to as Map Mod. The DEQ is collaborating with FEMA in this effort through the Cooperating Technical Partners  (CTP) Program. The DEQ is playing an integral role in the mapping program by performing studies, reviewing studies prepared by others, and overseeing the mapping effort in Michigan.  You can read more about the status of FEMA's Map Modernization effort at http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/mm_main.shtm. 

The following projects are currently underway: 

• Countywide studies are completed in Barry, Berrien, Branch, Cass, Huron, Genesee, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Midland, Oakland, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Van Buren counties. 

• Bay, Calhoun, Cheboygan, Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Monroe, Osceola, Ottawa, Roscommon, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Washtenaw, Wayne counties.  The preliminary maps covering a particular community would be available for viewing at the community office. 

• Preliminary maps for Alpena, Charlevoix, Chippewa, Grand Traverse, Hillsdale, Ionia, Iosco, Isabella, Kent, Lenawee, Mecosta, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Saginaw counties are expected to be available by the end of 2010. 

• Mapping activities are underway for Alcona, Allegan, Arenac, Dickinson, Gladwin, Gogebic, Iron, Leelanau, Marquette, Mason, Menominee, and Oceana counties. 

• Mapping activities are not planned under Map Mod or Risk MAP (http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/rm_main.shtm)  for Alger, Antrim, Baraga, Benzie, Crawford, Delta, Emmet, Houghton, Kalkaska, Keweenaw, Lake, Luce, Mackinac, Manistee, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Ogemaw,  Ontonagon, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Schoolcraft, or Wexford counties.

Once FEMA has completed its production of new digital flood insurance rate maps for a county, the communities within the county will need to consider formal adoption of the new maps to either become eligible to join the NFIP or to maintain participation. The DEQ has developed model documents for communities to use for the adoption process. Those documents and further discussion can be viewed and accessed on the NFIP Map Modernization Map Adoption page . 

The Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for Berrien County is now available: 

• Berrien County FIS Report (3,800 KB) 
• Berrien County FIS Exhibits - Bedortha Drain through Ox Creek (6,200 KB) 
• Berrien County FIS Exhibits - Parker/Richardson Drain through Yellow Creek (7,300 KB) 

The DFIRMs and FISs for the various counties are available for viewing and purchase at FEMA's Map Service Center (http://msc.fema.gov).