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Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) sent the following letter late this afternoon to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region II Regional Director Steve Kempf voicing concern about the confusion that exists about the Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map for the Bayshore. He asked several questions about how these flood zones were calculated and asked to host a meeting of FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ( DEP) to discuss ways to remove the area in question from the new flood zone.
April 9, 2008
Steve Kempf, Regional Director
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region II
26 Federal Plaza, Suite 1337
New York, NY 10278-0002
Dear Regional Director:
I am writing out of concern that a great deal of confusion exists over the Federal Emergency Management Agency's new Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) proposed for the Bayshore section of my district. A number of questions have been raised as to how the expanded flood zones were calculated and the accuracy of the new maps. What formulas were used to calculate the expanded flood zones? What has changed in terms of the topography of the area to create such a large increase of the flood zone?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had not previously stated that the dune system had deteriorated or was in need of repair. Would the requirements for the flood zones change if there were infrastructure upgrades to the area in question?
Residents are also wondering how much the cost of federal flood insurance would increase and how they can be grandfathered into paying lower premiums before the new maps become permanent. Are there any provisions in current law that help property owners pay for flood insurance?
Before finalizing the new flood maps, I would like to host a meeting between FEMA, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to discuss ways to remove the area in question from the new flood zone. In order to mitigate any undue financial burden to my constituents, it is imperative that we exhaust all possible ways to remediate the situation.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to continuing to work together.
Sincerely,
_____________________
FRANK PALLONE, JR.
Member of Congress
CC: Administrator David Paulison, Federal Emergency Management Agency
Commissioner Lisa Jackson, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Colonel Aniello L. Tortora, Commander and District Engineer, US Army Corps of Engineers, New York District
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