High ground, Winter 2006

INSIDE

s New CFMs Increase Local Floodplain
Management Capability page 2 s Upcoming Floodplain Management
Training Course page 2 s Registration for Technical Conference page 2 s Application page 3 s The NFIP/Georgia Floodplain Management Office page 4

From the Georgia Floodplain Management Office Department of Natural Resources

Georgia's Flood Map Modernization New Website - www.georgiadfirm.com

Volume 5 Issues 1
Winter 2006

The Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Georgia Department of Natural Resources has initiated a powerful outreach effort to keep communities and the public informed of the progress and status of the digital flood map production and adoption process. A new website has been implemented to provide a venue for the public and local officials to view the preliminary flood maps, to get information about the map adoption process, and to be informed of the association between new flood maps and flood insurance. Local residents and community officials will find mapping status information, as well as, useful links to resources and FEMA documents and tutorials. Please join our e-mail list to be informed of important updates.

Georgia Association of Floodplain Management

The efforts of numerous individuals and organization from across the State of Georgia have joined together to form the Georgia Association of Floodplain Management (GAFM). The purpose of this new organization is to serve as a unifying force for floodplain managers as well as others who have an interest in floodplain management within the State of Georgia. For the benefit of its members and the advancement of floodplain management, GAFM will provide educational and technical training opportunities and encourage the exchange of information, ideas, and experiences among the practitioners of floodplain management.
GAFM invites membership from professional, academic, public and private entities; students and everyday citizens interested in or involved in floodplain, watershed, stormwater, wetlands, and hazard mitigation management and/or related disciplines are encouraged to join. All applications submitted with appropriate fees and accepted

by January 15, 2006, shall entitle members to be included in the Charter Membership list and to receive the GAFM Charter Member Certificate. You also will receive registration information for the first Annual Membership Meeting and Technical Conference to be held in Augusta, Georgia on March 16 & 17, 2006.
Membership in GAFM will provide you an opportunity to have an important voice in the future of Georgia's floodplain management practices while incorporating sound environmental and watershed stewardship. Please complete and submit a copy of the Membership Application included on page 3.
Carl Barkalow, CFM Manager, Development Services Lee County Interim Chair - GAFM

HIG ground

A publication of Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division Floodplain Management Office 7 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Suite 440 Atlanta, Georgia 30334 404-656-6382 (ph) 404-656-6383 (fax)
PERSONNEL: Collis O. Brown, CFM State Coordinator Email: Collis_Brown@dnr.state.ga.us
Mindy Crean, CFM Environmental Specialist Email: Mindy_Crean@dnr.state.ga.us
Alan Giles Information Geologist Email: Alan_Giles@dnr.state.ga.us
Sonya Isreal Receptionist Email: Sonya_Isreal@dnr.state.ga.us

New CFMs Increase Local

Floodplain Management Capability

As part of Georgia Floodplain Management Office's continuing effort to increase floodplain management capability on the local level, the Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) exam was offered on September 30, in Augusta, Georgia, at the conclusion of FEMA's training course Managing Floodplain Development Through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The three hours comprehensive exam seeks to evaluate one's knowledge of the basic national standards and programs of floodplain management. The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) grants the CFM designation to any person who successfully passes the national exam. Presently, there are 68-CFMs in Georgia and of that number local governments employ 32 - CFMs full-time. Georgia Floodplain Management Office Congratulates the latest CFMs!

New CFMs Charles Absher Private Sector Hermon Butler Bulloch County Forrest Cagle Private Sector Vanhvilai Douangchai Private Sector George Eastman Columbia County Robert Faucett Athens-Clarke County Danny Gunter Lamar County Thomas McDonald City of Savannah Melody Melton Athens-Clarke County Randall Parker City of Douglas Terri Turner Augusta-Richmond County
If interested in becoming a CFM, contact ASFPM at (608) 274-0123 or cfm@floods.org. Visit ASFPM website at www.floods.org.

LOMA Depot Address Update
The mailing specifics for Letters of Map Change (LOMCs such as LOMAs or LOMRs) for FEMA review have changed and consolidated. Instead of using one of three addresses based on the geographic location of the LOMC site, now all LOMCs should be sent to the following:
FEMA LOMA Depot c/o Michael Baker, Inc. Suite 600 3601 Eisenhower Ave. Alexandria, VA 22304-6459
Forms may be obtained online from: http://www.fema.gov/fhm/frm_form.sht m or by requesting from the Georgia DNR Floodplain Management Office (404 656-6382). Questions about the forms should be directed to the FEMA Flood Map Specialist (877 336-2627) or Georgia Floodplain Management Office.

Registration for Technical Conference

Mark your calendars for the first annual Technical Conference of the new Georgia Association of Floodplain Management March 16 & 17, 2006 in August, Georgia. You do not want to miss this opportunity for

Training, Continuing Education Credits, and Networking. Contact GA Floodplain Management Office for registration and fee information at (404) 656-6382.

Upcoming Floodplain

Management Training Course

Habersham County will host the upcoming floodplain management-training course scheduled for March 27-31, 2006 in Clarkesville. Both FEMA and Georgia Floodplain Management staff will serve as instructors for the weeklong course. Persons successfully completing the course will receive a Certificate of Achievement from FEMA's Emergency Management Institute. This training course is a good source of information for preparing to take the

Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) exam, which is scheduled for Friday afternoon, March 31. Go to www.floods.org or call (608) 274-0123 for information on applying for the CFM exam. Deadline for submitting applications for the floodplain managementtraining course is February 28, 2006. The training course is free but there is a limit of 30 students. Contact Sonya Isreal at (404) 656-6382 to obtain an application for the training course.

GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
2005 - 2006

New Member

Renewal Address, employment, or email changes

NAME:

TITLE:

EMPLOYER/AGENCY:

MAILING ADDRESS:

CITY, STATE:

ZIP:

WORK PHONE:

HOME PHONE:

FAX:

I prefer to receive GAFM correspondence at this email address.

EMAIL:

MEMBERSHIP CLASS

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP (Public, Non-Profit, or Private Professionals)

$ 50

AGENCY (Local, State, Federal Government Employees or Elected Officials)

$ 50

$ 40 (for three or more memberships from same agency)

STUDENT (Full-time or Part-time)

$ 10

RETIRED

$ 10

CORPORATE SPONSOR (Corporation or Private Firm)

$1000 (includes 7 General memberships)

$500 (includes 3 General memberships)

$200 (includes 1 General membership)

(Note: Only General and Agency Memberships are allowed full voting privileges)

NATURE OF DUTIES:

Engineering Environmental

Planning Insurance

Administration Local Government

Academic Other

ADDITIONAL NAMES FOR CORPORATE MEMBERSHIPS (Include title and email; if different mailing addresses include on separate page.)

CK/MO#

MAIL COMPLETED APPLICATION AND MEMBERSHIP FEE PAYABLE TO GAFM BY JANUARY 15, 2006 ** Please No Cash **
Tom McDonald, CFM, Department of Development Services , P.O. Box 1027, Savannah, Ga. 31402 Street Address: 2nd Fl., 6 East Bay Street, Savannah, Ga. 31401
Phone (912) 651-6530, fax (912) 651-6975. E-Mail: Tom_McDonald@SavannahGa.Gov

Amount $

No. of Members

*2005-2006 Membership effective to December 31, 2006

The NFIP / Georgia Floodplain Management Office

Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in 1968 to reduce future flood damage through floodplain management, and to provide people with flood insurance through individual agents and insurance companies. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) manages the NFIP. Georgia Floodplain Management Office serves as a liaison between FEMA and the current 447 communities in the State that participate in the NFIP.

Georgia Floodplain
Management Office provides
the following services: Provides guidance, technical assistance, and training to local communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP), as well as to organizations involved in floodplain determinations. Serves as a resource for flood maps and related technical data; provides coordination and support to the State's Map Modernization Program. Assists local floodplain administrators with maintaining their community's

compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP); assists nonparticipating communities in applying for participation in the NFIP. Reviews State-funded and Federally funded development projects for encroachment on designated floodplains. Provides technical assistance in the aftermath of a Governor-declared or Presidentially - declared disaster.
For information or technical assistance, contact Collis Brown, CFM, Georgia NFIP / Floodplain Management Coordinator, Mindy Crean, CFM, or Alan Giles at (404) 656-6382.

Georgia Floodplain Management Office 7 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Suite 440 Atlanta, Georgia 30334