Cooperating Technical Partners Initiative
Cooperating Technical Partners (CTPs) are state, regional, or local agencies/communities that have an interest in becoming involved with FEMA's flood map update. Potential CTPs should have the capabilities and resources necessary to be active participants in this program. Such involvement results in better, more accurate maps that may reflect unique characteristics of their community. Furthermore, map products are optimized when FEMA and the respective partner set specific goals and combine resources to meet them.
Benefits of such a partnership are numerous. First, CTPs help create more accurate maps than an independent agency (i.e. FEMA), and they facilitate faster map updates. Also, information that is used for planning and permitting will become a key component for the maps developed, which can assist in better floodplain management. Finally, community CTPs can receive Community Rating System credits for their involvement. These credits can lead to discounted flood insurance premiums for property owners in the community.
Funding for CTP mapping projects are limited through FEMA. One objective of this program is to leverage available funding to attain more mapping for the same amount of resources. However, some funding is available for certain mapping activities. This funding is managed by FEMA regional offices and can be obtained through a cooperative agreement. Funded activities include:
- Refinement of approximate Zone A boundaries
- Hydrologic and hydraulic analyses and floodplain mapping
- Coastal floods hazard analyses and floodplain mapping
- Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) preparation
- Redelineation of detailed flood hazard information using updated topographic data
- Digital topographic data development
- Scoping up to 10%
- Post preliminary processing
- Outreach
Even though funding may not be available for these activities, FEMA may provide the CTP with support data and/or technical assistance. Non-funded activities include:
- Base map inventory development
- Digital base map data sharing
- DFIRM maintenance
- Hydrologic and hydraulic review
- Analysis of community map update needs
- Technical standards adoption
For more information regarding the CTP Program, including eligibility and evaluation criteria, click here.
Types of CTP Agreements
There are three types of agreements available under the CTP Initiative:
- Partnership Agreement
- Mapping Activity Statement
- Cooperative Agreement
The Partnership Agreement formalizes the partnership with FEMA, and it highlights the importance of flood hazard identification, flood insurance, and floodplain management. Overall, it indicates that the partner and FEMA will work together on the update of flood maps. You may view a template for this agreement, and an example by downloading the below PDF documents.
Mapping Activity Statements are developed for activities undertaken by the CTP for map update. Such activities must adhere to FEMA guidelines and regulations. You may view a template for this agreement, and an example by visiting or downloading the below web page and PDF file.
A Cooperative Agreement must be obtained for federal funding of a particular mapping activity. Locally funded activities can be initiated at any time without such an agreement.
Roles of ODNR, Division of Water
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water will maintain the following roles associated with the CTP initiative:
- Education of potential partner on CTP program
- Technical assistance for development of Memorandum of Understanding and/or CTP Agreement
- Conduct quarterly coordination meeting with federal, state, and local mapping partners (prospective CTPs as well as current partners) for education, problem discussion, and information distribution
- Collection and assessment of community mapping needs and a base map inventory
- Answer general questions about the program
If you have any questions or need assistance developing a CTP agreement, please contact the Floodplain Management Program at: Voice; (614) 265-6780 or E-mail; jonathan.sorg@dnr.state.oh.us.
Current Ohio CTPs
Five communities are currently acting as CTPs in Ohio:
Partner: Licking County
Primary Contact: Jim Mickey, (740) 349-6555
Effective Date of Agreement with FEMA: January 31, 2001
Mapping Activities Undertaken:
1) Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analyses and Floodplain Mapping
2) Refinement of Approximate Zone A Boundaries
Partner: Lorain County
Primary Contact: Ken Carney, (440) 244-6261
Effective Date of Agreement with FEMA: June 7, 2001
Mapping Activities Undertaken:
1) Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analyses and Floodplain Mapping
Partner: Lucas County
Primary Contact: Robert Neubert Jr., (419) 213-4555
Effective Date of Agreement with FEMA: July 5, 2005
Mapping Activities Undertaken: Pending
Partner: Muskingum County
Primary Contact: Dorothy Montgomery, (740) 455-7100
Effective Date of Agreement with FEMA: February 27, 2003
Mapping Activities Undertaken: Pending
Partner: Portage County
Primary Contact: Richard Wetzel, (330) 296-4311 ext. 111
Effective Date of Agreement with FEMA: August 24, 2000
Mapping Activities Undertaken:
1) Hydrologic and Hydraulic Analyses and Floodplain Mapping
Partner: Summit County
Primary Contact:
Effective Date of Agreement with FEMA: September 26, 2002
Mapping Activities Undertaken:
1) Other
FEMA also provides a list of current CTPs throughout the nation. This site will also allow you to view their respective Partnership Agreements and Mapping Activity Statements.
( Click here to go to national list ).