|
Published: June 29, 2009 07:28 pm
SCHUMER: Federal office looking into FEMA flood map practices
Staff Reports
Niagara Gazette
After discrepancies in communities across New York prompted questions about the accuracy of FEMA’s new flood map plans, the Government Accountability Office will look into the matter, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer’s office said Monday.
The agency will conduct an investigation “in about two months” into FEMA’s methodology and policies for upgrading their flood maps and designating new flood zones.
First proposed in September, FEMA’s maps added 920 properties in Wheatfield to flood-hazard areas. Residents inside these zones are required by law to purchase flood insurance that could cost more than $1,100 annually. The town’s efforts have led to the removal of roughly 600 homes from the list, leaving about 319 inside flood-hazard areas.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has granted Wheatfield and other Niagara County municipalities an additional 60 days — until July 15 — to file detailed appeals of flood plain maps that if unchanged would saddle thousands of local residents with costly insurance fees.
Schumer, along with Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), sent a letter to the GAO urging them to initiate an investigation of FEMA’s methodology in order to save homeowners from costly, mandatory and unnecessary flood insurance fees. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Banking Subcommittee on Economic Policy, which oversees flood insurance matters, later joined in support of Schumer and Bingaman’s request.
“New York homeowners and businesses have been saddled with mandatory, onerous flood insurance fees as a result of these often-severely flawed flood maps,” Schumer said. “With GAO’s commitment to examine FEMA’s methodologies and policies, we are one step closer to creating safer, more accurate flood zones and putting an end to these faulty maps that force residents and businesses across New York State and the country to pay costly, unnecessary insurance fees.”
FEMA is engaging in an overhaul of their flood maps as part of the Flood Map Modernization Initiative (FMMI). The goal of the program is to use new techniques to create more accurate maps, but the results have proven inconsistent and, at times, inaccurate, Schumer said. Significant problems stemming from the floodplain mapping programs were documented in New York, New Mexico and across the country. Several New York and New Mexico communities encountered problems with the new flood maps proposed under the FMMI.
|
|
|
|
 |
Wait Staff
WAIT STAFF P/T 11am -2pm or 3:15-6:45pm. Will train. Apply Amberleigh Retirement, 2330 Maple near Transit. ...>MORE
Customer Service
Customer
Service
Immed. F/T position.
Includes weekends. Must be customer
oriented, computer
...>MORE
Nursing Manager
NURSING MANAGER-TELEMETRY. Full-time evenings. 9.5 hour shifts. NYS RN license with min. two years nursing experience wi...>MORE
FLOOR ASSISTANT
Floor asst. needed for approx. 30-35 hrs/wk in a podiatry office, no exp. nec., will train, call between 12-2:30 pm for ...>MORE
Coach
COACH, Men’s Soccer. Niagara County Community College is seeking a head coach for the men’s soccer team. Please see web ...>MORE
Cook Manager
COOK /Manager full time exp. req. Call for appt. 297-2500 ask for general manager. ...>MORE
Teachers
TEACHERS. Niagara County Community College is seeking applications for part-time positions for the spring 2010 semester ...>MORE
automotive service technician
Service greeter wanted, PT entry level. Looking for someone with strong customer service skills to work in our fast grow...>MORE
Marketing & Advertising
MARKETING & ADVERTISING - Niagara County Community College is seeking a Technical Assistant to work part time in the pub...>MORE
Certified Pharmacy Tech's & Certified Medication Tech's
Certified Pharmacy Tech’s & Certified
Medication Tech’s Competitive wages. Call Lisa McKensie Ransomville Manor 79...>MORE
See all ads |
Buick 2005 LeSabre
BUICK 2005 Lesabre Custom, excellent condition, fully loaded, $6700 or best offer, 754-4540...>MORE
Dodge 2001 Neon
Dodge 2001 Neon 4 dr, auto, a/c, new tires, c/d no rust, inspected, $3900. white 860-2854...>MORE
Ford 1995 Crown Victoria
Ford 1995 Crown Victoria 4 dr, loaded, new tires must see & drive $3500. red. 860-2854...>MORE
Chevy 2007 Impala LT
CHEVY 2007 Impala LT
25,800 mi, ext. warranty
Exc. Cond, $16,500
297-2199...>MORE
Chevy Astro 1999
CHEVY ASTRO GOOD CONDITION 1999 with 113K miles. Asking: $2200.00. Call: 693 2471:...>MORE
Chevy 2003 Impala
CHEVY 2003 Impala
25,600 miles, loaded
Exc. Cond. $10,000/bo
297-2199...>MORE
Mazda 1995 Millenia
Mazda 1995 Millenia loaded, leather, only 26k mi. exc. cond. $2995. Best Offer
531-3548 or 297-1526...>MORE
Mercury 1999 Grand Marquis
Mercury ‘99 Grand Marquis 4 dr, leather, all options, 49k org mi., showroom cond. $6000. 860-2854, ...>MORE
Ford 1999 Ranger
FORD 1999 Ranger, 5 speed, 130K, fair condition, $2000 or best offer, 716-310-0531...>MORE
Pontiac 1999 Montana
PONTIAC 1999 Montana 57,000 original miles, full options, like new, $3300, 694-0441...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
