https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/17075

• The official CBRS maps may be downloaded on the USFWS website at https://fws.gov/ cbra/maps/index.html

• The most up-to-date CBRS boundaries can be found via the USFWS’s online CBRS Mapper tool (Figure 2) at https://fws.gov/cbra/maps/ Mapper.html

• Although CBRS boundaries will be removed from the National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL), the CBRS live map service from the USFWS will be delivered along with the NFHL map service on the NFHL viewer at https:// msc.fema.gov/nfhl

• FEMA’s Flood Insurance Manual contains information to help determine whether a building is eligible for NFIP coverage. Parkrelated structures within OPAs and structures that existed prior to the flood insurance prohibition date for any given area may be eligible. The manual is available at https:// www.fema.gov/flood-insurancemanual

IMPORTANT NEWS: Beginning February 15, 2019, Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) boundaries will no longer be depicted on static, legacy Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), but will be available through the National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) Viewer. This change to the FIRM will not impact CBRS property determinations nor any applicable prohibitions. FEMA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are working together to update how customers access the most up-to-date information on CBRS boundaries. WHAT IS THE COASTAL BARRIER RESOURCES ACT? The Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) was passed by Congress in 1982 to encourage conservation of hurricane-prone, biologically rich coastal barriers. CBRA prohibits most new federal expenditures that encourage development or modification of coastal barriers. Therefore, most new or substantially improved residences, businesses, or other developments in the CBRS are not eligible for certain federal funding and financial assistance, including coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Development can still occur within the CBRS, as long as private developers or other non–federal parties bear the full cost. CBRS boundaries are shown on maps that were originally adopted by Congress, and with few exceptions, only Congress can change the CBRS boundaries. The official CBRS maps are maintained by the USFWS. HOW WILL THESE CHANGES AFFECT FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS? FEMA has historically shown CBRS boundaries on coastal FIRMs as a courtesy to FIRM users. Many coastal communities use the FIRM to locate CBRS boundaries in addition to understanding information about flood zones. However, FEMA does not maintain the official CBRS maps and is not the most up-to-date source of information about them. The authoritative source for CBRS boundaries is FWS. Static, legacy FIRMs should not be used to make determination decisions regarding CBRS boundaries. Using out-of-date information to find out whether a property is eligible for flood insurance under the NFIP can have serious financial impacts.