November 3, 2004

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has begun a five-year initiative to update and modernize the nation’s floodplain maps. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has partnered with FEMA to produce floodplain maps in Livingston and Washtenaw Counties. This effort will update some maps that are over 25 years old and produce initial maps for communities that currently do not have one.

The maps will be available in both the traditional paper copy and in a digital format. The digital version will be accessible over the Internet and will also be available to communities on compact disc. Communities and developers use flood maps to determine safe areas in which to build. Insurance agents and lenders use flood maps to determine which properties are flood prone. Home and business owners use flood maps to determine their flood risk and protect their property.

The DEQ and FEMA met with Washtenaw County residents and community officials in July to present details of the mapping initiative. Based on that meeting and other community input, the DEQ and FEMA prioritized a set of streams that will be studied as part of this mapping project. Surveyors and engineers from Spicer Group will start field work around the middle of October to collect stream and floodplain data. They will have flyers with additional information to distribute to residents they meet during the field work.

The DEQ and FEMA will meet with Livingston County community officials and residents in early November. The preliminary floodplain maps for both counties should be available in fall 2005.

Additional information about FEMA’s mapping initiative is on the web at www.hazards.gov/wps/portal. Information pertaining to the DEQ’s involvement with the mapping program will be posted on the Land and Water Management Division web page at www.michigan.gov/deqlwmd. You can also contact Ric Sorrell of the DEQ at 517-335-3176 or by e-mail to sorrell@michigan.gov .

Editor’s note:  DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at http://www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised November 3, 2004 by Alice Stimpson