Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;"><SPAN>Layer Title:</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> FEMA Firm</SPAN></SPAN></P><P /><P STYLE="margin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;"><SPAN>Abstract:</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> Q</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN>3 Flood Data Firm panels are derived from the Flood Insurance Rate Maps(FIRMS) published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The file is georeferenced to earth’s surface using geographic projection and decimal degree coordinate system. The specifications for the horizontal control of Q3 Flood Data files are consistent with those required for mapping at a scale of 1:24000</SPAN></SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;"><SPAN>Update Cycle:</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> Static</SPAN></SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;"><SPAN>Accuracy:</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> USGS 1:24,000 scale topographic quadrangle</SPAN></SPAN></P><P /><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;"><SPAN>Layer Compatibility:</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN><SPAN> The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror. The FEMA layers used include the FIRM Panels, Q3 Floodplain, and Q3 Floodway. </SPAN></SPAN></P><P /><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>The Q3 Flood Data are designed to serve the needs of FEMA both for disaster response activities and for other National Flood Insurance Program flood insurance activities. The data are designed to answer basic in/out queries and questions about the location of the special N/A N/A Page 39 flood hazard area, but do not provide base flood elevations. The Q3 Flood Data may be used in various GIS applications with the caveat that sound judgment must be used in interpreting the Q3 Flood Data. For instance, the Q3 Flood Data may be overlaid on highly detailed large scale community base mapping data; but, if parcel level determinations are made, they must be prefaced with information about the accuracy of the data from which they are derived. In Skagit County’s case, parcels can be off by 300 feet which can significantly skew the data</SPAN></SPAN></P><P /><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>The conversion of FIRMs to a digital format is expected to have many benefits. However, users must bear in mind that the simple conversion of FIRMs to a digital format does not inherently improve the engineering quality of the product. Many of the difficulties with interpretation of flood risk data, and the requirement for users to apply sound judgment in methods selected for decision making and map interpretation remain unchanged. It should be noted that if a structure is determined to be within or near the special flood hazard area by using a GIS, this determination must be confirmed by continuing the printed hardcopy FIRM. Q3 Flood Data are not designed to be used for engineering studies.</SPAN></SPAN></P><P /><P STYLE="font-weight:bold;margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Contact Information:</SPAN></SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>For more information about this data, please contact the Skagit County GIS Department:</SPAN></SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>1800 Continental Place</SPAN></SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Mount Vernon, WA 98273</SPAN></SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>(360) 416-1168</SPAN></SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>email: </SPAN></SPAN><A href="mailto:gis@co.skagit.wa.us" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>gis@co.skagit.wa.us</SPAN></SPAN></A></P><P /><P STYLE="font-weight:bold;margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Problems?</SPAN></SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Please report any data issues to Skagit County Geographic Information Services:</SPAN></SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>1800 Continental Place</SPAN></SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>Mount Vernon, WA 98273</SPAN></SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>(360) 416-1168</SPAN></SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN><SPAN>email: </SPAN></SPAN><A href="mailto:gis@co.skagit.wa.us" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>gis@co.skagit.wa.us</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN></P><P /><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN> </SPAN></P><P /><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><A href="https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/Home" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Skagit County</SPAN></SPAN></A></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><A href="https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/Home/draftTermsandConditions.htm" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Skagit County Terms and Use</SPAN></SPAN></A></P><DIV><DIV><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN /></P></DIV></DIV></DIV>