From: Blackburn, Gregor <Gregor.Blackburn@fema.dhs.gov>
Date: Fri, Jul 31, 2020 at 8:43 AM
Subject: IMPORTANT NOTICE: FEMA to suspend processing of map revisons based on fill
To: romano.galassi@lacity.org <romano.galassi@lacity.org>
Dear Romano Galassi,
The purpose of this email is to notify you that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will suspend processing Applications of Letters of Map Revision based on fill (LOMR-Fs) and Conditional Letters of Map Revision based on fill (CLOMR-Fs) in the City of Los Angeles, starting August 14, 2020.
FEMA did not take this decision lightly. A lawsuit was recently filed relating to FEMA's implementation of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and its effect on Federally listed threatened and endangered species in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. The lawsuit contends that FEMA failed to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service ("the Services") on the implementation of the NFIP and its effect on species, as required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
To address the plaintiff’s concerns about potential effects on listed species, effective August 14th, 2020, FEMA will suspend processing of LOMR-Fs and CLOMR-Fs in these six counties until its consultation is completed. As part of its consultation with the Services, FEMA will prepare Biological Evaluations (BEs) analyzing the potential effects of NFIP implementation on Federally listed species and their critical habitat in California.
Applications for new LOMR-Fs or CLOMR-Fs received prior to August 14, 2020 will be processed and completed, assuming that all necessary information has been provided. Requests to reopen CLOMR-F and LOMR-Fs closed due to inactivity must also be received prior to August 14, 2020. Requests received after August 14, 2020 will be suspended with no determination, and a notice of suspension will be sent to the applicant.
Any questions about the effects of FEMA’s implementation of this decision on floodplain management, or questions about the consultation process with the Services, should be directed to Julia Gillespie at 510-627-7248 or nfip-esa-consultation-2020@fema.dhs.gov.
Please note that a copy of this email was also sent to the City of Los Angeles’s Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Sincerely,
Gregor Blackburn, CFM
Floodplain Management & Insurance Branch Chief | Region IX Mitigation Division
Office: (510) 627-7186 | Mobile: (510) 703-2231
gregor.blackburn@fema.dhs.gov
Federal Emergency Management Agency
fema.gov
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