8.16.070 Basis for establishing the areas of special flood hazard.

(A) The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Insurance Administration (FIA) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) dated September 15, 1989, accompanying flood insurance rate maps (FIRMs) and flood boundary and floodway (FBFMs), dated 1980 and all subsequent amendments and/or revisions, are adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter. This FIS and attendant mapping is the minimum area of applicability of this chapter and may be supplemented by studies for other areas which allow implementation of this ordinance and which are recommended to the city council by the floodplain administrator. The study, FIRMs and FBFMs are on file at 4381 Broadway, Suite 201, American Canyon, CA 94503 City Hall, or at 205 Wetlands Edge Road American Canyon, CA 94503, Department of Public Works.

(B) Base Flood Elevation changes due to physical alterations:

(1) Within six months of information becoming available or project completion, whichever comes first, the floodplain administrator shall submit or assure that the permit applicant submits technical or scientific data to FEMA for a letter of map revision (LOMR).

(2) All LOMRs for flood control projects are approved prior to the issuance of building permit. Building permits must not be issued based on conditional letters of map revision (CLOMRs). Approved CLOMRs allow construction of the proposed flood control project and land preparation as specified in the "start of construction" definition.

Such submissions are necessary so that upon confirmation of those physical changes affecting flooding conditions, risk premium rates and floodplain management requirements are based on current data.