Downing Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Modernize Flood Mapping

Today, Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) introduced the bipartisan Improvement of Mapping, Addresses, Geography, Elevations, and Structures (IMAGES) Act to modernize and improve Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) flood mapping standards under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) is an original cosponsor of the legislation.

This bill designates the United States Geological Survey (USGS) 3D Elevation Program (3DEP)-which uses Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology-as the interagency, intergovernmental funding pool to collect and maintain new elevation data for FEMA's flood maps.

Read text of the IMAGES Act here.

"Montanans know all too well about the importance of having accurate and reliable mapping," said Congressman Downing. "I was on the ground in Red Lodge the day after devastating flooding hit South Central Montana. My bill gives Montanans the enhanced data and resources they need to make accurate decisions regarding flood prevention and risk assessment to protect their homes, businesses, and communities from similar catastrophes."

"The catastrophic flooding that devastated Central and South Texas this March serves as a wake-up call for immediate flood mapping reform," said Congressman Gonzalez. "The IMAGES Act is a lifeline for our vulnerable coastal communities and historically flood-prone regions, equipping them with critical data and resources to implement flood prevention strategies so they are better prepared for any future disasters."

"The provisions of the IMAGES Act will improve the accuracy and accessibility of critical federal datasets that inform flood-hazard mitigation policies," said Matthew D. Morris PLS, CFedS; Montana Director for the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS); owner Morris Land Surveys, Choteau, Montana. "Businesses, private landowners, government planners, and first responders will all benefit from the enhanced data collection and inter-agency coordination that this legislation will enable. The National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) endorses passage of the IMAGES Act as an important development of the nation's technical resources, and NSPS gratefully recognizes Congressmen Troy Downing and Vicente Gonzalez for their leadership on this pressing issue."

"The IMAGES Act will provide critical flood risks assessment which is vitally important to the protection of the public through flood mapping reform accuracies and strengthening the United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Streamflow Information Program. Real-time mapping data feeds between Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and USGS, combined with census data, can provide first responders information for life saving activities during flood emergencies. The National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) commends Representatives Vicente Gonzalez and Troy Downing for their bipartisan sponsorship on the mapping reforms included in the Act," said John F. Watson, RPLS, PLS; Texas Director to the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS); Vice President, Surveying And Mapping, LLC (SAM).

"The mapping reforms in the IMAGES Act recognize professional services and technology applications that will improve the quality, accuracy, and utility of FEMA flood insurance rate maps (FIRMs)," said John Palatiello, Founder of U.S. GEO. "The initiatives Representatives Gonzalez and Downing provided in this legislation will provide a positive return on investment, save tax dollars, and improve the program for the benefit of taxpayers and flood insurance ratepayers."

Background:

• 10 agencies currently use 3DEP. The IMAGES Act encourages other agencies to utilize this technology and share information to reduce duplicative mapping.

• Ensures all FEMA Insurance Rate Maps use planimetric features-features that are independent of elevations, like roads, structure footprints, rivers, and lakes.

• Requires FEMA to update its flood maps every five years-maps are on average 35 years old, currently.

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