Welcome to the Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Self-Assessment Tool Is the FEMA Cooperating Partners Technical Program Right for You? Thank you for your interest in the Cooperating Technical Partners Program, which we will refer to by its shorter name-CTP Program. Through the following series of informative and easy-to-follow screens, you will be able to assess whether the CTP Program is a good fit for you and the organization you represent. If you have previously completed this assessment and are now interested in reviewing the technical capabilities/requirements for certain Program activities, please click on the "Technical Capabilities/Requirements Only" link below. Otherwise, click on the "Begin Program Assessment" link below. * Begin Program Assessment * Begin Capabilities/Requirements Assessments Only Begin Program Assessment Why Was the CTP Program Created? As you are likely aware, under a mandate from the U.S. Congress, FEMA identifies, publishes, and updates flood hazard information for floodprone communities nationwide. FEMA has complied with this mandate by publishing and updating flood maps for more than 19,000 communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, or NFIP. Because flood hazard conditions change over time due to natural and manmade changes in watersheds and floodplains, FEMA has an ongoing program to update flood maps for floodprone communities. Because flood map update needs are increasing and Federal funds are limited, a significant portion of the approximately 100,000-panel flood map inventory is becoming outdated. To reverse this trend, FEMA designed a plan to modernize the flood map inventory. FEMA has updated the plan twice since it was first issued in 1997. Over time, FEMA plans to eliminate the existing backlog of outdated flood maps and convert all flood maps to a digital format. One of the key objectives of the FEMA "map modernization" plan is to increase local involvement in, and ownership of, the flood mapping process. To meet this objective, FEMA created the CTP Program. Under the CTP Program, qualified Partners at the community, regional, and State level may actively participate in the creation and/or maintenance of the flood maps. What commitment has FEMA made to the CTP Program? In support of the CTP Program, FEMA has committed to: * Recognize the contributions made by State, community, and regional agency Partners by providing timely and accurate flood hazard information; * Maximize the use of Partner contributions as a means of leveraging limited public funds to the fullest extent while maintaining essential national standards; * Fully integrate Partners into the flood hazard data development process with the corresponding authorities and responsibilities; * Provide training and technical assistance to Partners when appropriate; and * Facilitate mentoring to increase capability for existing and potential Partners. What are the benefits of the CTP Program? The following are beneficial reasons for partnering with State, regional, and local organizations to produce NFIP maps: * The data used for local permitting and planning will also be the basis for the NFIP map, facilitating more efficient floodplain management. * The CTP Program provides the opportunity to interject a tailored, local focus into a national program; thus, where unique conditions may exist, the special approaches to flood hazard identification that may be necessary can be taken. * The partnership mechanism provides the opportunity to pool resources and extend the productivity of limited public funds. Which Mapping Partner category best describes the organization you represent? * Community * Regional Agency * State Agency * Other Program Participation Requirements for Communities - Begin Program Assessment Does your community participate in the NFIP? * Yes, my community participates in the NFIP * No Your community is not eligible to participate in the CTP Program at this time. A representative of your community should contact the FEMA Regional Office that services your community to begin the process of joining the NFIP. To obtain the location and telephone number of the Regional Office to contact, call the FEMA Map Assistance Center, toll free, at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877- 336-2627) or view the Regional contact information on the FEMA Web site. * Don't Know To determine whether your community is participating in the NFIP, you should first review the FEMA Community Status Book, which provides a listing of all communities that have been identified as potentially floodprone nationwide. The Community Status Book is available, in pdf format, on the FEMA Web site. Look below for additional details about using the Community Status Book. Do you want to learn more about the CTP Program requirements? * Yes, I want to learn more about the CTP Program requirements * No Thank you for your interest in participating in the CTP Program and for taking the time to assess your organization's qualifications for participating in the Program. We encourage your organization to pursue participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). For additional information on the NFIP, the FEMA mapping program, and map creation and maintenance options, we encourage you to visit the FEMA Flood Hazard Mapping Web site. Community Status Book * Select the state in which your community is located, such as Nevada. * Locate your community in the list for your State. The list is separated into two sections, both of which are in alphabetical order. * The first section includes communities that are participating in the NFIP and contains a header that reads: "Communities Participating in the National Flood Insurance Program." * The second section lists communities that are not participating in the NFIP and contains a header that reads: "Areas Which Have Had Special Flood Hazard Areas Identified Not in the Program." In which section of the list does your community appear? * Communities Participating in the National Flood Insurance Program Your community is eligible to participate in the CTP Program. Now you should determine whether your community has the capability to participate in the CTP Program. Show me technical requirements! * Areas Which Have Had Special Flood Hazard Areas Identified Not in the Program Your community is not eligible to participate in the CTP Program at this time. A representative of your community should contact the FEMA Regional Office that services your community to begin the process of joining the NFIP. To obtain the location and telephone number of the Regional Office to contact, call the FEMA Map Assistance Center, toll free, at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or view the Regional Contact Information on the FEMA Web site. * Neither Section Your community may not have been identified as being floodprone or potentially floodprone or your community may have recently been incorporated and your community may have been mapped as part of a county map. A representative of your community should contact the FEMA Regional Office that services your community to begin the process of joining the NFIP. To obtain the location and telephone number of the Regional Office to contact, call the FEMA Map Assistance Center, toll free, at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or view the Regional Contact Information on the FEMA Web site. Is your community on probation with the NFIP? * Yes Your community is not eligible to participate in the CTP Program at this time. Once your community has resolved the floodplain management issues that led to your community being placed on probation and has been reinstated to full compliant status, your community will become eligible to participate in the CTP Program. A representative of your community should contact the FEMA Regional Office that services your community to determine when your probationary period will end. To obtain the location and telephone number of the Regional Office to contact, call the FEMA Map Assistance Center, toll free, at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or view the Regional Contact Information on the FEMA Web site. * No Your community is eligible to participate in the CTP Program. Now you should determine whether your community has the capability to participate in the CTP Program. Show me technical requirements ! * Don't Know What is probation? When is a community placed on probation? How long does a community's probation last? Probation, an action authorized under Federal regulations, is the formal notice from FEMA to a community that its floodplain management program does not meet NFIP criteria. FEMA may impose probation on a community 90 days after providing written notice to community officials of specific deficiencies in the community's floodplain management program. FEMA generally imposes probation only after consulting with community officials and determining that the community cannot correct the deficiencies. FEMA may continue probation for up to 1 year after the community corrects all Program deficiencies and remedies all violations of NFIP regulations to the maximum extent possible. To find out if your community has been placed on probation by FEMA, you or another community representative should contact the FEMA Regional Office that services your community to begin the process of joining the NFIP. To obtain the location and telephone number of the Regional Office to contact, call the FEMA Map Assistance Center, toll free, at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627 or view the Regional Contact Information on the FEMA Web site. Do you want to learn more about the CTP Program requirements? * Yes, I want to learn more about the CTP program requirements * No Thank you for your interest in participating in the CTP Program and for taking the time to assess your organization's qualifications for participating in the Program. Program Participation Requirements for Regional Agencies - Begin Program Assessment Regional agencies that are eligible for participation in the CTP Program include: * Watershed management and flood control districts; * Regional planning councils; * Councils of governments; and * Regional Offices of State agencies. Does your agency serve communities that participate in the NFIP? * Yes Your agency is eligible to participate in the CTP Program. Now you should determine whether your agency has the technical capability to participate in the CTP Program. Show me Technical Requirements and Capabilities * No Your agency is not eligible for participation in the CTP Program. However, your agency may have applicable expertise or information that would be vital to an active participant in the Program. Because it is critical that FEMA and its Mapping Partners use all applicable expertise and information to keep flood maps up to date, we encourage you to contact FEMA or an active participant in the Program to find out how you can support their Program-related activities. To obtain the location and telephone number of the Regional Office to contact, call the FEMA Map Assistance Center, toll free, at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336- 2627) or view the Regional Contact Information on the FEMA Web site. Are you interested in contacting an active participant in the Program? o Yes For information on current Partners in your state, visit the CTP News Section of the Flood Hazard Mapping Web site and click on your state of interest, such as the state of Nevada. Scroll down to view detailed instructions on finding information on current Partners in your state. o No Do you want to learn more about the CTP Program requirements? ? Yes, I want to learn more about the CTP Program requirements ? No Thank you for your interest in participating in the CTP Program and for taking the time to assess your organization's qualifications for participating in the Program. We encourage your organization to pursue participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). For additional information on the NFIP, the FEMA mapping program, and map creation and maintenance options, we encourage you to visit the FEMA Flood Hazard Mapping Web site. Finding Information on Current Partners in your State * Click on one of the Partner name links listed on the page that is generated by clicking on the appropriate state, such as the Nevada Division of Water Planning. * Click on the "CTP Profile" link. * The CTP Profile provides the name, title, and telephone number for the "Primary Point of Contact" for the Partner and for FEMA. Either Point of Contact can discuss your organization's potential for participating in a current or future Flood Map Project under the CTP Program. Program Participation Requirements for State Agencies - Begin Program Assessment Is your agency the State NFIP Coordinating Agency? * Yes As the State NFIP Coordinating Agency, your agency already meets the eligibility requirements for the CTP Program. We encourage you to contact your Regional Office to discuss signing a Partnership Agreement and to discuss Flood Map Projects that your agency would like to undertake. To view a template for the Partnership Agreement or to obtain information on the types of mapping activities that may be undertaken under the CTP Program, we encourage you to visit the dedicated portion of our Flood Hazard Mapping Web site. * No Does your agency serve communities that participate in the NFIP? o Yes Your agency has met the eligibility requirements for the CTP Program. However, we strongly encourage you or another member of your organization to contact the State NFIP Coordinating Agency to determine how you would best be able to participate in the CTP Program. o No Your agency is not eligible for participation in the CTP Program. However, your agency may have applicable expertise or information that would be vital to an active participant in the Program. Because it is critical that FEMA and its Mapping Partners use all applicable expertise and information to keep flood maps up to date, we encourage you to contact FEMA or an active participant in the Program to find out how your agency can support their Program-related activities. To obtain the location and telephone number of the Regional Office to contact, call the FEMA Map Assistance Center, toll free, at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627 or view the Regional Contact Information on the FEMA Web site. Are you interested in contacting an active participant in the Program? For information on current Partners in your state, visit the CTP News Section of the Flood Hazard Mapping Web site and click on your state of interest, such as the state of Nevada. Scroll down to view detailed instructions on finding information on current Partners in your state. * Don't Know A list of the current State NFIP Coordinating Agencies is provided at the Association of Floodplain Managers Web site. * Is your agency included on that list? o Yes As the State NFIP Coordinating Agency, your agency already meets the eligibility requirements for the CTP Program. We encourage you to contact your Regional Office to discuss signing a Partnership Agreement and to discuss Flood Map Projects that your agency would like to undertake. To view a template for the Partnership Agreement or to obtain information on the types of mapping activities that may be undertaken under the CTP Program, we encourage you to visit the dedicated portion of our Flood Hazard Mapping Web site. o No, my agency is not included in that list Do you want to learn more about the CTP Program requirements? * Yes, I want to learn more about the CTP Program requirements * No Thank you for your interest in participating in the CTP Program and for taking the time to assess your organization's qualifications for participating in the Program. We encourage your organization to pursue participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). For additional information on the NFIP, the FEMA mapping program, and map creation and maintenance options, we encourage you to visit the FEMA Flood Hazard Mapping Web site. Finding Information on Current Partners in your State * Click on one of the Partner name links listed on the page that is generated by clicking on the appropriate state, such as the Nevada Division of Water Planning. * Click on the "CTP Profile" link. * The CTP Profile provides the name, title, and telephone number for the "Primary Point of Contact" for the Partner and for FEMA. Either Point of Contact can discuss your organization's potential for participating in a current or future Flood Map Project under the CTP Program. Participation by Organizations Other than Communities, Regional Agencies, or State Agencies - Begin Program Assessment Participation in the CTP Program is limited to eligible communities, regional agencies, and State agencies. Because it is critical that FEMA and its Mapping Partners use all applicable expertise and information to keep flood maps up to date, we encourage you to contact FEMA or an active participant in the Program to find out how you can support their Program-related activities. To obtain the location and telephone number of the Regional Office to contact, call the FEMA Map Assistance Center, toll free, at 1-877- FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or view the Regional Contact Information on the FEMA Web site. We encourage you or another representative of your organization to contact the appropriate FEMA Regional Office or an active participant in the Program to find out how you can support their Program-related activities. Are you interested in contacting an active participant in the Program? * Yes For information on current Partners in your state, visit the CTP News Section of the Flood Hazard Mapping Web site and click on your state of interest, such as the state of Nevada. Scroll down to view detailed instructions on finding information on current Partners in your state. * No Do you want to learn more about the CTP Program requirements? * Yes, I want to learn more about the CTP Program requirements * No Thank you for your interest in participating in the CTP Program and for taking the time to assess your organization's qualifications for participating in the Program. Finding Information on Current Partners in your State * Click on one of the Partner name links listed on the page that is generated by clicking on the appropriate state, such as the Nevada Division of Water Planning. * Click on the "CTP Profile" link. * The CTP Profile provides the name, title, and telephone number for the "Primary Point of Contact" for the Partner and for FEMA. Either Point of Contact can discuss your organization's potential for participating in a current or future Flood Map Project under the CTP Program. Technical Capabilities/Requirements The technical capabilities required from the Partner will vary based on the mapping activity or project that is to be undertaken. In general, though, your community or agency must have the following: * Processes and/or systems in place that support mapping or data collection activities that contribute to flood hazard identification and that are not federally funded; * Demonstrated capability to perform a given mapping activity; and * In-house staff capabilities in the appropriate technical area for the given mapping activity OR if any portion of a project or activity is contracted, have the in-house staff capability to monitor the contractor and to approve completed products. Partners that receive funding from FEMA through a Cooperative Agreement must be able to perform the financial management activities required as part of the Cooperative Agreement (i.e., account for Federal funds, prepare financial reports). FEMA Regional Offices will assist Partners with these financial management activities.Scroll down to view the funded and unfunded mapping activities. Funded Activities As funding levels permit, the mapping activities for which Partners may receive funding in Fiscal Year 2002 through a Cooperative Agreement with FEMA are summarized in the listing below. Funded Activities Activity Partners Description Refinement or Creation of Approximate Zone A Boundaries Community Regional Agency State Agency The Partner works with FEMA to perform analyses to refine the Zone A boundaries shown on the effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) or create new Zone A areas to be included on the FIRM. Emphasis is placed on automated analysis and production techniques. Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analyses and Floodplain Mapping Community Regional Agency State Agency The Partner develops digital engineering data and floodplain mapping using Geographic Information System (GIS)-based or traditional hydrologic and hydraulic modeling. Coastal Flood Hazard Analyses and Floodplain Mapping Community Regional Agency State Agency The Partner develops digital engineering data and floodplain mapping using GIS -based or traditional coastal flood hazard analysis methods. Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) Preparation Community Regional Agency State Agency The Partner digitizes information from the effective hardcopy FIRM and prepares a DFIRM that meets FEMA specifications. Redelineation of Detailed Floodplain Boundaries Using Updated Topographic Data Community Regional Agency State Agency The Partner redelineates the effective floodplain boundaries shown on the FIRM using more up- to-date topographic data. GIS technology is used, where available. Digital Topographic Data Development Community Regional Agency State Agency The Partner develops digital topographic data for flood hazard identification purposes. Note: The Cooperative Agreements awarded for mapping activities under the CTP Program are intended to supplement, not supplant, ongoing mapping efforts by a Partner, whether that Partner is a community, a regional a gency, or a State agency. Funds provided by FEMA would be in addition to the resources provided by the Partner for the mapping activities. Unfunded Activities While no funding will be provided to Partners for the mapping activities listed below, FEMA may provide technical assistance, support, and/or data for an activity. Unfunded Activities Activity Partners Description Digital Base Map Inventory Regional Agency State Agency The Partner performs an investigation and provides an inventory of base maps meeting FEMA specifications for NFIP communities in a particular state or region. Digital Base Map Data Sharing Community Regional Agency State Agency The Partner supplies a base map for use in producing a DFIRM. The base map will comply with FEMA minimum accuracy requirements and be distributable by FEMA to the public in hardcopy and electronic formats. DFIRM Maintenance Community Regional Agency State Agency The Partner assumes responsibility for long- term, periodic maintenance of the DFIRM. This can include base map and/or flood hazard information. Hydrologic and Hydraulic Review Community Regional Agency State Agency The Partner reviews hydrologic and hydraulic studies prepared for FEMA-funded flood data updates and/or map revisions processed under Part 65 of the NFIP regulations. The review focuses on compliance with the technical and regulatory requirements contained in Guidelines and Specifications for Flood Hazard Mapping Partners, the pertinent NFIP regulations, as well as standard accepted engineering practices. Assessment of Community Mapping Needs [To Support FEMA's Mapping Needs Update Support System (MNUSS)] Regional Agency State Agency The Partner performs a detailed community-by- community assessment of mapping needs for every mapped (including flood data updates and map maintenance) and unmapped NFIP community within its jurisdiction. The Partner then submits the results of the assessment to FEMA for inclusion in the MNUSS database. Technical Standards Agreement Community Regional Agency State Agency The Partner works with FEMA to adopt specific technical standards or processes appropriate for local conditions for NFIP flood mapping purposes. Technical Requirements Technical requirements for mapping activities that FEMA may provide funding for under a Cooperative Agreement: The mapping activities that may be undertaken either separately or in combination by capable Partners can be separated into the three general categories listed below. * Field surveys and topographic data development * Flood hazard data development * Map production Field survey and topographic data development activities include the following: * Conduct detailed field reconnaissance of a project area to determine: o Conditions along the floodplain(s); o Type and number of hydraulic and/or flood-control structures; o Apparent maintenance status of existing structures; o Locations of cross sections; and o Other parameters needed for hydrologic and hydraulic analyses. * Conduct field surveys to: o Obtain channel and floodplain cross sections; o Identify or establish Temporary Bench Marks; and o Obtain physical dimensions of hydraulic and flood-control structures. * Develop digital topographic data and mapping, using remote-sensing technology where appropriate. * Perform independent Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) reviews of the topographic data. Flood Hazard data development activities include the following: * Perform hydrologic analyses for riverine flooding sources; * Perform hydraulic analyses for riverine flooding sources; * Perform coastal flood hazard analyses; and * Perform independent QA/QC reviews of analyses for riverine and coastal flooding sources for accuracy and compliance with FEMA requirements. Map production activities include the following: * Use results of detailed hydrologic and hydraulic analyses and new or updated topographic data to develop digital floodplain mapping showing: o Floodplain boundary delineations; o Floodway boundary delineations; o Base flood elevations; o Cross section locations; o Transect locations (for coastal areas); and o Flood insurance risk zone designations. * Use results of approximate hydrologic and/or hydraulic analyses and new or updated topographic data to develop digital floodplain mapping showing: o Floodplain boundary delineations; and o Flood insurance risk zone designations. * Use new or updated topographic data to revise floodplain boundary delineations for areas studied by detailed methods. * Perform an independent QA/QC review of floodplain mapping for accuracy and compliance with FEMA requirements. * Prepare a digital base map. * Produce a Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) that is accurate and complies with FEMA graphic and database specifications. * Perform an independent QA/QC review of DFIRM for accuracy and compliance with FEMA requirements. Technical Capabilities The capabilities that a Partner must possess will vary with the type(s) of mapping activities to be undertaken. * Technical capabilities for Field Survey and Topographic Data Development activities * Technical capabilities for Flood Hazard Data Development activities * Technical capabilities for Map Production activities * Financial Monitoring and Control and Contracting capabilities Technical capabilities for Field Survey and Topographic Data Development activities include the following: * Experience performing conventional surveys; * Experience performing aerial surveys; * Experience performing hydrographic surveys; * Experience performing surveys using remote-sensing technology, including airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IFSAR) systems; * Experience using Global Positions Systems; * General experience developing Geographic Information Systems (GISs) and applying GIS technology; * Experience developing Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), and Triangulated Irregular Networks (TINs); * Experience developing DTMs, DEMs, and TINs in accordance with National Standards for Spatial Data Accuracy (NSSDA); and * Experience performing QA/QC reviews of digital topographic data and related products for accuracy and compliance with FEMA requirements. Technical capabilities for Flood Hazard Data Development activities include the following: * Experience performing conventional surveys; * General experience applying FEMA-accepted hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) models; * Experience performing floodflow-frequency analyses; * Experience evaluating flood protection provided by levee systems; * Experience in watershed master planning; * General experience developing GISs and applying GIS technology; * Experience using automated, GIS-based H&H models; * Experience modeling steady and unsteady flow and using one- and two- dimensional flow models; and * Experience performing independent QA/QC reviews of analyses for riverine and coastal flooding sources and related products for accuracy and compliance with FEMA requirements. Technical capabilities for Map Production activities include the following: * Experience performing conventional surveys; * Experience producing maps portraying floodplain and floodway boundaries; * Experience in digital conversion of map information; * Familiarity with FEMA DFIRM graphic formats, standards, and specifications; * Familiarity with Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle formats, standards, and specifications; * Experience in development and population of databases; * Familiarity with FEMA DFIRM database formats, standards, and specifications; * Experience producing metadata, including digital geospatial metadata; * Experience producing maps using GIS technology; and * Experience performing QA/QC reviews of digital maps and related products for accuracy and compliance with FEMA requirements. Financial Monitoring and Control and Contracting capabilities are summarized below: * If Federal funding is provided, Partners must be able to perform the financial management activities required, including accounting for Federal funds and preparing financial reports. * If any portion of a mapping project or activity is to be contracted and Federal funding is provided: o State agency Partners must follow policies and procedures used for procurements that do not involve Federal funds; and o Community and regional agency Partners must follow procurement policies and procedures documented specified in the Code of Federal Regulations at 44 CFR 13.36. (The procurement policies and procedures are available for viewing or downloading at the following location on the U.S. Government Printing Office Web site. Closing Thank you for your interest in participating in the CTP Program and for taking the time to assess your qualifications for participating in the Program. We encourage you to pursue other options for participating in the creation and maintenance of NFIP flood maps. For additional information on the FEMA mapping program and map creation and maintenance options, we encourage you to visit the FEMA Flood Hazard Mapping Web site. Have you decided that the CTP Program is right for you? * Yes We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the required Partnership Agreement and then contact the Regional CTP Coordinator for your state. A template for the Partnership Agreement is available on the dedicated portion of our Flood Hazard Mapping Web site. Please contact your Regional CTP Coordinator before you begin working on the Partnership Agreement. Information on the Regional CTP Coordinator for your state is available on the dedicated portion of our Flood Hazard Mapping Web site. We look forward to working with you on future mutually beneficial Flood Map Projects. * No If you or someone else in your agency has decided that the CTP Program is not right for your agency, we encourage you to pursue other options for participating in the creation and maintenance of NFIP flood maps. For additional information on the FEMA mapping program and map creation and maintenance options, we encourage you to visit the FEMA Flood Hazard Mapping Web site. * Not Sure We encourage you to re-assess your agency's qualifications at a later date, after you have completed any additional research. If you have specific concerns/questions that you would like addressed before making a final decision regarding participation in the CTP Program, we encourage you to do the following: o Contact your Regional CTP Coordinator. Information on the Regional CTP Coordinator for your state is available on the dedicated portion of our Flood Hazard Mapping Web site. o E-mail a FEMA Map Specialist. Information on the Map Specialist for your state also is available on our Flood Hazard Mapping Web site. o Call the FEMA Map Assistance Center, toll free, at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627). 1