STATE OF MICHIGAN

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT

LANSING
RICK SNYDER
GOVERNOR

January 28, 2011

The Honorable John Moolenaar

State Senator
State Capitol
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, Michigan 48909-7536

Dear Senator Moo/enaar:

Thank you for your letter dated January 24, 2011, regarding the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) flood maps in Midland and Gladwin Counties. We are aware of
the additional topographic information provided to FEMA as part of a Letter of Map Revision
(LOMR) by Jerome Township. Our district staff reviewed the lOMR request and notifiedFEMA
that we concur with the revision. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and
Environment (DNRE) will use the more accurate information in our floodplain regulatory
program.

The process to' develop the flood insurance rate maps and require flood insurance is federal and
under the jurisdiction of FEMA. Due to the scope of the LOMR process and the cost involved,
FEMA indicated that the revision needs to be worked into their budget.

Once FEMA allocates a budget for this process, it will still take them some time to complete it.
FEMA is required to follow their regulatory process to revise the flood insurance rate maps,
which involves allowing for public comment on the revised maps. Until updated maps become
effective, lenders, the community, and insurance agents are required to use the current effective
maps.

As indicated in your letter, the letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) process is avallable.to
property owners and could be processed by FEMA in about 30 days. It should be noted that
even when the maps are revised, the purchase of flood insurance for homes outside the
. mapped flood zone will be at the discretion of the lender. It is also possible that individual
property owners will still need to go through the LOMA process even after the revised map is
published.

We have contacted Mr. Mike Hanke, Region V, FEMA, and indicated that the map revision is a
priority to Michigan. Should you have any additional questions, please contact Mr. Bruce
Menerey, Water Resources Division, DNRE, at 517-335-3181; or you may contact me.

Sincerely,

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Dan Wyant W\
Director
517-373-7917
CONSTITUTION HALL. 525 WEST ALLEGAN STREET. P.O. BOX 30473 • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909·7973
ww..v.michigan.gov/dnre • (SOO) 662·9"278

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