High ground, Vol. 1, no. 2 (Spring 1996)

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A Publication of the Georgia Floodplain Management Office

Governor Miller's River Care 2000 PrQgram

landowners throughout the watersheds. In many cases, local citizens and local governments will have to champion river protection to prevent further damage in the future. Governor Miller's new program, River Care 2000, will develop active partnerships to encourage river protection by local landowners, organizations and governmental bodies.

Georgia has more than 70,000 miles of rivers and streams. Most ofthem originate within our state, so Georgians have a unique opportunity to detennine the future ofour rivers. Although we are fortunate to have a good supply ofclean water, our rivers still face significant challenges. There are many examples: storm-water runoff carrying chemicals from urban and agricultural lands, erosion and subsequent sedimentation, and unwise development offlood-prone areas.
Many of the challenges facing rivers today, including flood damage to improvements, are the cumulative result ofthe management decisions of

River Care 2000 is a conservation program which will meet some oftoday's challenges by improving our knowledge and management of Georgia's rivers. The Department ofNatural Resources will administer the program, with guidance from four citizens' advisory groups. During the next four years, River Care 2000 will consist ofthree related tasks: assessing important river resources throughout the state, identifYing more effective management tools for river corridors, and recommending land acquisition criteria for the program.
Governor Miller has named an eleven-person River Care 2000 Coordinating Committee to give policylevel guidance to the program. He has also directed the Department ofNatural Resources to form three additional citizens' working teams to make recommendations to the coordinating committee in three issue areas. The members of the Committee and the teams broadly represent conservation and preservation organizations; science and academia; the agriculture, forestry and residential development industries; and local, state and federal government. . This breadth of representation helps ensure that their recommendations will be broadly accepted and implemented.

The teams fonnaIly began work during March 1996. Care 2000 Coordinator, Department of Natural

Recommendations for land acquisition will become Resources, Suite 1252-E, 205 Butler Street, SE,

available in July 1996. The assessment results will Atlanta, Georgia 30334. Phones are 404-657-9746

appear in July 1997. And the new or improved and fax 404-656-0770

tools for management will be recommended in

December 1997. River Care will emphasize Thanks to Harvey Young, Dept. of Natural

cooperation and incentives rather than regulatory Resources, for submitting this article.

measures, wherever possible. The Department will

not propose any action which would result in taking

landowner's property rights without compensation.

It will also be important to make landowners and local officials aware of the importance of

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watersheds and river corridors. The Department

will work with the Georgia Farm Bureau and other

organizations to communicate the

interconnectedness ofwatersheds, and the economic'

and social values which river corridors possess.

The information program will emphasize the need to

manage these areas wisely. River Care 2000 will begin a state land acquisition

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program during FY-1996, supported by $10 million

in general-obligation bonds made available

specifically for River Care; about $3.5 million in

bonds remaining from Governor Miller's highly

successful Preservation 2000 Program; and about $1.6 million in nonpoint-source pollution funds from

Floodplain

Management

And the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Flood Insurance

state will acquire lands associated with rivers. Some of these lands will be managed as parks,

Rates: What Community

historic sites, natural areas, wildlife management areas, or greenways. The program will be based on

Officials Should Know

a willing-buyer, willing-seller concept, so riverfront landowners need not feel threatened by state acquisition. The Department will explore ways of offsetting the community's loss of ad-valorem tax revenues which occurs when the state acquires real property.

Local community officials play an important role in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The decisions they make have a direct impact on the flood insurance premium rates that local residents pay. To minimize these rates, officials must have a basic understanding of how their floodplain

'For more information about the River Care 2000 Program, please contact Mr. Harvey Young, River

management efforts affect flood insurance premium rates. The following are six commonly misunderstood NFIP issues which lead to

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homeowners paying unnecessarily expensive flood insurance premiums:
1. Insurance Rates for Structures in Unnumbered A Zones
Flood insurance premium rates for structures built in Unnumbered A Zones can be very expensive. Unnumbered A Zones are areas of Special Flood Hazard without a detailed study performed and no Base Flood Elevations (BFE) provided on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). For construction within these zones, NFIP requirements specify that the community obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any BFE and floodway data available from Federal, State, or other source. This data should be used as long as it reasonably reflects flooding conditions expected during the base flood, is not scientifically or technically incorrect, and represents the best data available. Community officials should consider formally adopting this data by reference as part oftheir floodplain management regulations.

community must either determine a BFE itself: or require the developer of the subdivision to determine one. When determining a BFE, the community or the developer must use engineering methodologies comparable to those that were used to develop the community's Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).
(b) For proposed developments ofless than 50 lots and/or 5 acres in areas without determined BFEs, the insurance premium rate will be set by comparing the highest adjacent grade to the structure with the lowest floor elevation. For these developments without a BFE provided on the FIRM or one declared by the community using any available BFE data, community officials should require the lowest floor be elevated three (3) feet higher than the highest adjacent grade elevation. Anything less than three feet will result in expensive insurance prermums.
2. Collecting "As-Built" Lowest Floor Elevations

Officials must make every effort to obtain a BFE to use when permitting structures within these Unnumbered A Zones. By determining a BFE and assuring that structures are built in accordance with NFIP requirements, local officials ensure homeowners qualify for significantly lower flood insurance rates than policies that are rated without aBFE.
.If there is no flood data available, local officials must keep two important factors in mind when permitting a structure:
(a) Subdivision proposals and other proposed developments (including manufactured home parks) greater than 50 lots or 5 acres, whichever is less, must include BFE data. The BFE data may be obtained from Federal or State agencies, or other sources. If the BFE data is not available, the

Community officials need to ensure that they are collecting certified "as-built" lowest floor elevations on those structures built within Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). Proposed elevations are not acceptable under NFIP regulations. These "asbuilt" elevations are important because flood insurance premiums for structures built after the date ofthe community's initial FIRM are determined by comparing the structure's lowest floor elevation with the BFE for the area.
Use of the FEMA Elevation Certificate is encouraged. These Certificates can be used for: (a) Buying flood insurance - An Elevation Certificate is required for all post-FIRM structures. Pre-FIRM structures may be eligible for post-FIRM rates (which are usually about 60% less) with an Elevation Certificate showing the lowest floor is elevated at or above the BFE.

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(b) Documentation of Floodplain Management - (three feet if no depth number is specified).

Communities are required by their floodplain Therefore, the construction of enclosed areas below

management ordinances to obtain and maintain grade, including parking garages, beneath residential

records of the elevation ofthe lowest floor ofnew buildings in AD Zones is also prohibited.

and substantially improved structures in SFHAs. A

community can use the Elevation Certificate to meet For non-residentiaI structures, enclosed areas below

this requirement - provided it is proPerlyfilled out. grade are permitted provided that the structure,

together with attendant utility and sanitary facilities,

(c) Support Documentation provided with a Map is designed to be watertight with walls substantially

Revision Application - Although an elevation impermeable to the passage of water (Le.,

certificate cannot, in and of itself: get a map floodproofed) to 1 foot above the BFE (or in the

revision, it can be used as supporting documentation case of AO Zones, floodproofed to the level

when provided with the proper map revision forms. .specified on the FIRM), and with structural

components having the capability of resisting

hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and effects of

3. Enclosed Areas Below-Grade, Including buoyancy.

Parking Garages

Note: Because of the severe damage that can be

For the purposes of the NFIP, enclosed areas caused by velocity waters and debris, enclosed areas

below-grade, including parking garages, are below-grade are not recommended in AO Zones

considered basements. Under NFIP regulations, a where velocities have been identified.

basement is defined as any area ofa building having

its floor subgrade, (below ground level), on all

sides. This definition is much broader than common 4. Enclosed Areas Above-Grade, but Below the

building code definitions.

Base Flood Elevation Level, Including Parking

Garages

Residential structures within Zones AI-30, AE and

AH on the community FIRM must have the lowest NFIP regulations require that enclosed areas above

floor (including any basement) elevated at or above grade and below BFE are to be used solely for the

the BFE. Under NFIP regulations, an area below parking of vehicles, building access, or storage.

grade, such as a parking garage, is considered a Additionally, these areas are to be designed to allow

basement if it is below grade on all sides. for the entry and exit of floodwater in order to

Therefore, the construction of enclosed areas below automatically equalize hydrostatic flood forces on

grade, including parking garages, is prohibited exterior walls. Designs for meeting this requirement

beneath residential buildings in Zones AI-30, AE, must either be certified by a registered professional

andAH.

engineer or architect, or meet or exceed the

following minimum criteria: a minimum of two

In addition, residential structures within any AO openings having a total net area ofnot less than one

Zone on a community's FIRM must have the lowest square inch of opening for every square foot of

floor (including any basement) elevated above the enclosed area subject to flooding; and the bottom

highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth of all openings shall be no higher than one foot

number specified in feet on the community's FIRM, above grade.

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5. Enclosed Areas Below BFE in Coastal High Hazard Areas (V-Zones)
NFIP regulations state that all new construction and substantial improvements within Zones VI-30, VB, and V on the community's FIRM have the space below the lowest floor either free of obstruction or constructed with non-supporting breakaway walls, open wood latticework, or insect screening intended to collapse under wind and water loads without causing collapse, displacement, or other structural damage to the elevated .portion of the building or supporting foundation system. Breakaway wall design must be certified by a registered professional engineer or architect. Such enclosed space should be used solely for parking ofvehicles, building access, or storage.
6. Preliminary versus Effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)
For floodplain management purposes the Preliminary FlRM often constitutes the best available information. Therefore for structures being built in SFHAs, community officials can use the Preliminary FIRM to decide whether a structure must be elevated and ifso, to what elevation. Officials however must keep in mind that the insurance premiums for that structure will be determined using the Effective FIRM only. Until the Preliminary is published as Effective, it holds no bearing on either the need to purchase or the cost of flood Insurance.
Reference: Mike Shore, Mitigation Program Specialist, FEMA, Region IX San Francisco
Improper elevation of structures can have dramatic effects on insurance premium rates. Allowing a structure to be built below BFE causes premium rates to increase significantly.
Example FIQ,Od Insurance Rates for $80,000 structural coverage on a single family dwelling with no basement and $30,000 contents coverage based on elevation ofthe lowest floor above or below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE).
+2 ft. $106.00 structure + $49.50 contents + $45.00 constant + $30.00 federal policy fee = $230.50
+1 ft. $136.00 structure + $70.50 contents + $45.00 constant + $30.00 federal policy fee = $281.50
Oft. $201.00 structure + $126.00 contents + $45.00 constant + $30.00 federal policy fee = $402.00
-1 ft. $640.00 structure + $402.00 contents + $45.00 constant + $30.00 federal policy fee = $1117.00
:2 ft. policy must be submitted to Washington to be rated
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Historic Preservation's Flood Grant Program
In July 1994, Tropical Stonn Alberto swept through Georgia, ravaging approximately one third of our state with heavy rains and flood waters. FIfty-five of Georgia's one hundred and fifty-nine counties were declared natural disaster areas by President Clinton. Most ofthe damage was concentrated in the southwestern part ofthe state, especially along the Flint River.
Responding to this declaration and with the support of numerous elected officials, the Office of Management and Budget allotted from the President's Discretionary Fund, $2.945 million for historic preservation projects to provide disaster relief in the three southern states affected by flooding and heavy rains. Georgia received the largest sum, $2.475 million, while Florida received $100,000, Alabama received $250,000, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation received $120,000.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division (HPD) is administering the $2.475 million that Georgia
received as an emergency grant program. In
addition, the National Park Service has agreed to waive some of the more stringent guidelines usually associated with Federal grant procedures in an effort to have funds reach those in need in an expedient manner. These funds have been specifically provided for technical assistance and emergency repairs to historic and archeological :esources impacted by the stonn. HPD has used these funds for technical assistance, planning, infonnational services, and rehabilitation work.

As customary following a natural disaster, funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have also been allocated for the repair and rehabilitation of public infrastructure, structures owned by public and non-profit agencies, and for emergency shelter and basic home repair. To avoid duplication of funding, HPD has concentrated their assistance on historic resources not eligible to receive FEMA funding.
Eligible activities that have been charged to the grant include technical assistance to local government officials and property owners; architectural and engineering plans and specifications; economic feasibility studies; damage assessments; and construction work to stabilize and repair flood damaged historic architectural and archeological resources. Technical assistance includes video programs, workshops, and publications which provide information about stabilization, cleaning, and preserving historic properties and sites. The grant program also provided funding for additional personnel to assist with flood recovery. Planners, architects and consultants were hired to make the grant process as smooth as possible. HPD hired a three-member flood team to manage the general administrative duties, including information and financial services, and conducting site visits.
As a result of this program, approximately one hundred historic resources in more than fifteen Georgia counties have received funding for
development and predevelopment projects. Many
different types of Georgia's historic resources have been included in HPD's grant program. Commercial and residential structures, non-profit agencies, public facilities, and archeological resources have all received funding.

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comprehensive and diversified, emphasizing longtenn goals as well as short term relief. HPD feels that the result of this grant program will be a heightened public awareness of historic preservation and its value. on the local, state, and federal level.
Thanks to Kathryn Coggeshall, DNR Historic Preservation Divisionfor suhmitting this article.

One ofthe larger grant projects involved the City ofMontezuma, which received two block grants
to revitalize its Main Street business core. This
grant provided funding for the structural and fucade rehabilitation ofmore than forty buildings that were under more than six feet ofwater during the 1994 flood. Montezuma is also taking advantage ofaid from the National Trust and the Georgia Trust. These organizations are assisting with economic revitalization and planning, heritage tourism and other fonns of financial stimulation.
Additional grant projects have included the Baker County Courthouse in Newton, which received the largest single HPD grant of$550,OOO for total
rehabilitation; Fielder's Grist Mill and Gin in
Junction City; Historic Oakview and Riverside Cemetery in Albany; the Old Webster County Jail; the Columbus Museum, which used funding to conduct an archeological swvey ofdamaged areas along the Flint River; and the Fembank Museum which recommended steps to implement a proposed statewide archeological "site stewardship" program in Georgia.
The Flood Recovery Grant for Historic Preservation Program has helped show that historic preservation can be an effective part of disaster recovery. HPD's recovery efforts are

Upcoming Training Courses
Floodplain Management
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its Emergency Manag~ment Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland, will be sponsoring the following resident courses. The Emergency Management Institute (EM!) serves as the national focal point for the development and delivery of emergency management training to enhance the capabilities of Federal, State, and local government officials, volunteer organizations, and the private secto~ to mjni~ze the impact of disasters on the Amencan public.
There are no tuition fees for EM! on-campus
courses. All instruction, books, and housing are provided at no cost, and FEMA reimburses air fare. Participants are responsible for the cost of the meals provided and for personal incidental
expenses. AIl persons attending EM! courses are
required to purchase a campus meal ticket for the period oftheir course.
For additional information on the following courses, or to obtain an application, please contact Georgia's Floodplain Management Office at (404) 656-6382. You may also contact EM! at

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1-800-238-3358. It is suggested that applications for courses be submitted at least two months prior to the date ofthe course.
E234 - Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) Course - August 12-16,1996
E273 - Managing Floodplain Development Through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) - June 24-28, 1996
E278 - National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)/ Community Rating System (CRS) June 17-21, 1996; July 29-August 2, 1996; September 23-27, 1996
E279 - Retrofitting Floodprone Residential Buildings - September 9-13, 1996
*******
NFIP Lender and Insurance Seminars
These half-day seminars are conducted by personnel of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Regional Office located in Dunwoody, Georgia.
At NFIP Lender Seminars, compliance officers, and loan processing and servicing personnel can significantly enhance their knowledge of this specialized area of risk management. In addition, lenders can get the latest information regarding NFIP changes.
NFIP Insurance Seminars provide property/casualty insurance company principals, licensed agents, and their support staff with the knowledge and skills needed to accurately calculate flood insurance premiums, understand ~he rules and regulations of the NFIP, and demonstrate ways to better serve flood insurance policyholders.

Seminar Dates for 1996 Lenders: July 9 & October 22 Insurance providers: July 10 & October, 23
For more information contact Roger Widdifield or Christal Leggett at (770) 396-9117.
*******
Erosion and Sediment Control
This three-day workshop, developed by representatives from each level of the conservation professional community of Georgia, builds a solid working knowledge of erosion and sedimentation control processes and practices. The State law and minimum requirements are discussed in detail, as well as basic plan routing procedures and erosion and sediment control practices. Interpretation ofthe State Erosion and Sediment Act will be stressed. Skill improvement sessions provide straightforward techniques to optimizing plan and site inspections, selection and use of effective erosion and sediment control measures, and on site investigation.
Dates: September 10-12, 1996 (Southern TECH, Atlanta, GA); December 3-5, 1996 (Macon, GA)
For more information contact Southern College of Technology, Office of Continuing Education at (770) 528-7240.

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Flood Facts
*FIood insurance claims are paid by policyholder premiums, not taxpayer dollars.
*Flood insurance is available to protect homes, condominiums, apartments, and non-residential buildings, including commercial structures. A maximum of $250,000 of building coverage is available for single-family residential buildings; $250,000 per unit for multi-family residences. The limit of contents coverage on all residential buildings is $100,000, which is also available to renters. Commercial structures can be insured to a limit of$500,000 for the building and $500,000 for the contents.
*The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) defines flooding as a general and temporary condition during which the surface of normally dry land is partially or completely inundated. Two adjacent properties, or two or more acres, must be affected.
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GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Environmental Protection Division Floodplain Management Office 7 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Suite 440 Atlanta, Georgia 30334