NEW Options for Letters of Map Amendments (LOMAs) & Letters of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-Fs) as of December 2012

Streamlined Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) Using LiDAR Elevation Data

This abbreviated LOMA application process is intended for locations where it is clear that the entire building (or the entire lot) is above the base flood elevation (BFE) based on review of the LiDAR derived contour elevations compared to the base flood elevation.

What is LiDAR?

"Light Detection and Ranging" is an active remote sensing technology that uses laser light to detect and measure surface features on the earth. LiDAR-derived high-resolution elevation data products are available for many areas of Minnesota.

Short slide show about LiDAR

Documents for Streamlined LOMA Process Using LiDAR elevation data:

Streamlined checklist of information needed for a LOMA using the 2-foot contours from LiDAR
Attachment for checklist that shows when the 2-foot contours may be used in lieu of a field survey
Certifications for LiDAR:
- Map of counties with certified LiDAR
- 10/22/2012 certification statement for SE MN (Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha & Winona Counties)
- 1/2/2013 certification statement for Minnesota River Basin Counties (Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Douglas, Faribault, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley, Swift, Waseca, Watonwan and Yellow Medicine)
- 1/14/2013 certification statement for Arrowhead Region (Carlton, Cook, Lake and St. Louis Counties)
- 2/15/2013 certification statement for Miscellaneous County Projects (Blue Earth, Chisago, Crow Wing, McLeod, Rice & Wright Counties)
- 2/22/2013 certification statement for Metro Area Project (Anoka, Benton, Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, Isanti, Kanabec, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne and Washington Counties)
- Others to be added as available. The data in many more counties are expected to be certified early in 2013.

Online application for LOMAs & LOMR-Fs

Submit the same information as in the regular LOMA or LOMR-F process, but submit electronically instead of mailing.

Go to FEMA's online Letter of Map Change (LOMC) site
See: How to Apply For a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letter of Map Amendment - Out as Shown (LOMA-OAS) Using Form MT-EZ for more details on the submittal requirements.

Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA)

For an individual lot (or multiple lots) where a structure or lot is shown "in" the flood hazard area (Zone A, AE, AO, AH) on FEMA's floodplain maps and the following are valid:

Either:
1. Better elevation information shows the structure is higher than the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), or 1% annual chance flood elevation (aka "100-year flood" elevation), or
2. A better aerial photo or other information shows the structure is not actually "in" the high flood hazard area. These types of LOMAs are called LOMA-out as shown or LOMA-OAS.
No fill has been placed to elevate the building or adjacent to the building (after the date of the first FEMA floodplain map that showed that structure or lot in a FEMA mapped high flood hazard area).
IF any part of the structure or lot to be removed is in the floodway, a community official will be required to sign a "Community Acknowledgement Form"
LOMA Fees: There is no fee for FEMA to review the LOMA. However, there will likely be costs associated with obtaining the data needed, or for assistance completing the application packet.

Letter of Map Revision - Based on Fill (LOMR-F)