I.	TITLE:	Use of Digital Flood Hazard Data

II.	DATE:	November 29th 2007

III.	PURPOSE:   
The purpose of the policy is to clarify the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) approach to 
the implementation of section 107 of the Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance 
Reform Act of 2004 (42 USC 4101).  
IV.	SCOPE AND AUDIENCE:

The policy is applicable to use of Flood Insurance Rate Maps published by the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for floodplain management activities, mandatory 
flood insurance purchase determinations, flood insurance rating, and other National Flood 
Insurance Program activities on or after the date of publication of this policy.  It is intended for 
all users of paper and digital flood hazard maps and data in the administration of the National 
Flood Insurance Program. 

V.	AUTHORITY:

Section 107 of the Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004, 42 USC 
4101.

The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended, and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 
1973, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.

VI.	BACKGROUND:

Background: Section 107 of the Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act of 
2004 (42 USC 4101) required that the National Flood Insurance Program, administered by the 
Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, treat the digital 
geospatial version of the flood data as official: 
"For the purposes of flood insurance and floodplain management activities conducted 
pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Program under the National Flood Insurance 
Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.), geospatial digital flood hazard data distributed by

	
      
      
                 
MITIGATION DIRECTORATE POLICY
              

 
This policy represents FEMA's interpretation of a statutory or regulatory requirement. The policy itself 
does not impose legally enforceable rights and obligations, but sets forth a standard operating procedure or 
agency practice that FEMA employees follow to be consistent, fair, and equitable in the implementation of 
the agency's authorities. 

Page 1 of 1