The Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC) is a federal advisory committee established to review and make recommendations to FEMA on matters related to the national flood mapping program authorized under the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. This page is intended for TMAC members and other parties interested in learning more about the purpose and activities of the TMAC.
The national flood mapping program provides flood maps to inform communities about the local flood risk and help set minimum floodplain standards so communities may build safely and resiliently. The Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) established under the program help determine the cost of National Flood Insurance Program flood insurance which helps property owners financially protect themselves against flooding.
The TMAC will review the national flood mapping activities authorized under the law and prepare recommendations to the FEMA Administrator. The TMAC will also produce a report on the impacts of climate sciences and future conditions and how they may be incorporated into the mapping program. The TMAC is comprised of representatives from federal, state, local and private sector organizations as mandated in The Biggert Waters Reform Act of 2012 and governed by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) requirements.
For more information on the TMAC’s establishment, charge, membership or meetings, please visit:
- Overview Fact Sheet
- Frequently Asked Questions Fact Sheet
- Charter
- Bylaws
- Legislation
- Press Releases
- Member Profiles
- Subcommittees
- Reading and Reference Materials
Meeting Information
The TMAC held nine public meetings in its first year, and is anticipated to hold at least four public meetings in its second year. Publicly-accessible information in support of each meeting will be posted on this website. Notice of all meetings, as well as instructions for public comment, will be announced in the Federal Register.
View available TMAC Meeting Agendas and TMAC Meeting Summary Notes.
TMAC Reports and Recommendations
The TMAC delivered a number of reports with recommendations to the FEMA Administrator in 2015 and 2016, including:
- TMAC 2016 National Flood Mapping Program Review, which provides FEMA with a review of the National Flood Mapping Program in regard to its ability to provide technically credible flood hazard information, when the Program is implemented as designed, in areas where FIRMs are prepared or updated and also includes recommendations to FEMA, where appropriate, to assist the agency to provide technically credible flood hazard data into the future. This review was delivered to the FEMA Administrator in July 2016, to inform the Administrator certification of the National Flood Mapping Program as required under The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014, Section 17.
- TMAC 2015 Annual Report, delivered to the FEMA Administrator in January 2016, including recommendations as to how to improve specific elements of the flood mapping program such as the mapping products, program performance metrics, standards, guidelines, map maintenance, delegation, and interagency and intergovernmental coordination.
- TMAC 2015 Annual Report Summary, delivered to the FEMA Administrator in January 2016, with recommendations to help FEMA provide accurate and comprehensive data, time- and cost-efficient generation and process management of flood risk data, effective utilization of efficient technologies, integrated flood risk management framework of hazard identification, strong understanding and awareness of flood hazard and risk data, robust added value coordination, and substantial funding for program support.
- TMAC 2015 Future Conditions Risk Assessment and Modeling Report, delivered to the FEMA Administrator in January 2016, with recommendations to help FEMA ensure Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) incorporate the best available climate science to assess flood risks and ensure that FEMA may use the best available methodology to consider the impact of the rise in sea level and future development on flood risk.
- TMAC 2015 Annual Report - Interim, delivered to the FEMA Administrator in October 2015, and including preliminary recommendations as to how to improve specific elements of the flood mapping program such as the mapping products, program performance metrics, standards, guidelines, map maintenance, delegation, and interagency and intergovernmental coordination.
- TMAC 2015 Future Conditions Risk Assessment and Modeling Report – Interim, delivered to the FEMA Administrator in October 2015, with preliminary recommendations to help FEMA ensure Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) incorporate the best available climate science to assess flood risks and ensure that FEMA may use the best available methodology to consider the impact of the rise in sea level and future development on flood risk.