FLOODPLAIN ELEVATION CERTIFICATES

The Floodplain Elevation Certificate is the most accurate means of determining if a property is located in the flood plain. It provides elevation information necessary to assist and assess flood risk more accurately, ensure compliance with local floodplain regulations, determine the necessity for flood insurance and/or support a request for a LOMA or LOMR.

The fieldwork necessary to complete a Floodplain Elevation Certificate involves the determination of the actual elevations of reference points of any existing or to-be-built building or structure and the elevations of the adjacent grades. The type of structure (e.g. on slab, basement, piers or posts) and other characteristics outlined in the certificate influence which reference points are necessary. The certificate also contains published base floodplain elevations.

Landmark has extensive experience in assisting the developer or property owner in completing a Floodplain Elevation Certificate and deciding what future course of action is best for further development of the property.


LETTER OF MAP AMENDMENT (LOMA) and (CLOMA)

Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) is an official exception to the U.S. Government identified (FEMA) Special Flood Hazard Areas. FEMA's designated special flood hazard areas are memorialized through official flood maps. Those flood maps designate the flood plain areas in the U.S. and territories. If the property is in a special flood hazard area, a lender will require the owner (or buyer) to purchase flood insurance as a condition to obtain a real estate loan on that property where the improvements are or will be located. This flood hazard area is also subject to special land use and development requirements. 

Within the special flood hazard area or flood plain there can occur "islands" of higher ground at an elevation above the established base flood plain. This land above the flood plain occurs either as the result of the placement of artificial land fill or naturally existing high ground. These “islands” are eligible for an exemption to the requirement for the purchase of flood insurance and flood plain management requirements with the issuance of a LOMA.

Specifically, a LOMA is applicable to artificial fill placement and natural high ground knoll situations that normally involve a single property or small area. (see for contrast, LOMR, which involves more extensive physical changes). The LOMA process is a means to legally amend the flood map without the cost of reprinting and distributing the entire flood map panel. FEMA has the authority to issue a LOMA.

A variation of the LOMA is a Conditional Letter of Map Amendment (CLOMA), a letter from FEMA stating that a proposed structure, not to be elevated by fill, would be excluded from the flood hazard area map if it was built as proposed. The letter does not amend the map, but indicates whether the project, if built as proposed, will be recognized by FEMA.

Landmark can assist in the application and receipt of a LOMA or CLOMA.

LETTER OF MAP REVISION (LOMR) (and CLOMR)

Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) is an official exception to the U.S. Government identified (FEMA) Special Flood Hazard Areas. FEMA's designated special flood hazard areas are memorialized through official flood maps. Those flood maps designate the flood plain areas in the U.S. and territories. If the property is in a special flood hazard area, a lender will require the owner (or buyer) to purchase flood insurance as a condition to obtain a real estate loan on that property where the improvements are or will be located. This flood hazard area is also subject to special land use and development requirements. 

Within the special flood hazard area or flood plain there can occur "islands" of higher ground at an elevation above the established base flood plain. This land above the flood plain occurs either as the result of the placement of artificial land fill or naturally existing high ground. These “islands” are eligible for an exemption to the requirement for the purchase of flood insurance and flood plain management requirements with the issuance of a LOMR.

Specifically, a LOMR is applicable to artificial fill placement and natural high ground knoll situations that normally involve significant changes in the configuration of the flood plain due to more extensive physical changes such as levee placement, stream channelization, major fill placement, etc. (see for contrast, LOMA, which involves a single property or a small area). A LOMR is typically used in subdivision or large commercial property development. The governing body of the community where the project is involved must make the request for a LOMR, as that community must adapt any changes and revisions to the floodplain map.  The LOMR process is a means to legally revise the flood map without the cost of reprinting and distributing the entire flood map panel. FEMA has the authority to issue a LOMR.

Often, a community or an individual working with the community, may request comments from FEMA on whether a proposed project will justify a map revision. A Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) provides documentation of the formal review of FEMA that determines whether a proposed project meets the minimum floodplain management requirements and will thus justify a map revision. A CLOMR is not a building permit, although it may often be required form the local planning commission prior to obtaining a building permit. It is an official FEMA letter commenting on the effects of a proposed project that may or may not alter hydrologic or hydraulic flood characteristics of the property. 

Landmark can assist in the application and receipt of a LOMR or CLOMR.