FS9903-CS 990422Morrison Hydrology EngineerinS lnc.
210 Arnold A~ Arlin~on, T_,~r~ 76010
Maro (817) 461-0~21 Fax (81~) 274-1~8
E-Mail: ronmor 7 777~aoL com
April 22, 1999
Mr. Kenneth M. Grimn; P.E.
Assistant City Manager and
City Engineer
City of Coppell
255 Parkway Blvd.
P.O. Box 478
Coppell, Texas 75019
Oif214-304-3679
Metre 214471-2251
Fax 214-304 3673
Flood Study of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River
For a 10 and 48 Acre Parcel of Land South of Sandy Lake Road
And East of MacArthur Road in Coppell, Texas
We assume you received the information from Ms. Laura Bittner CEmail attached) regardin4 the
methodology for submitting a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) and Conditional Letter of
Map Revision based on Fill (CLOMR-F) requests. As we understand it, a CLOMR submittal must use
"best available d~_t_~" which means that the alyproved existing condition from the latest CLOMR (or
LOMR) approved by FEMA must be used as base conditions. We were aware of this requirement. What
we were not aware of is that this does not apply to a CLOIvlR-F. For a CLOMR-F you must use the
effective model whether it has been modified by a CLOMR or not.
This particular site shows on the FEMA FIRM map as being at elevation 446 +/-. The existing condition
from the latest approved CLOMR shows an elevation of ~.~.~. +/-. The Co~ps HECRAS model (which has
been reviewed by FEMA's technical consultant and approved, but has not been through the FEMA
approval process) shows an elevation of 442 +/-.
In conversations with FEMA and the FEMA technical consultant we understand that this last model will
be official soon (probably this year). So by the time the project is finished we will be required to use the
Corps HECRAS model for ashtilt conditions.
If we wait until the Corps HECRAS is officially approved the property can be removed from the floodplain
by filling to 442 +/-. Naturally, the city will require fill to one foot above the ultimate condition as per
OrdinanCe. The problem with waiting for this final FEMA approval of the tiECRAg model is that we do
not know within a reasonable period when this will happen, and the timing of this project is critical. ff we
use the CLOMR-F procedure with an elevation of 446 +/- the cost of the extra ~H is excossive and we are
not sure that there is sufficient storage Cempensation forthis elovalion.
Morrison Hydrology Engineering, ln~
10 and 48 Acre Parcel of Land South of Sandy Lake Road
And East of MacArtkur Road in Coppe!l, Twcas
Page -2-
So to correct the problem we are preparing a CLOMR submittal for the project. We discussed this with
The most pressing concern at this point is time. ff this revised submittal must be reviewed by your
floodplain review consultant it will delay the project to a point that the developer tells us that it puts the
completion of the project in question.
Please let me know what you will require. Thank you for your attention in this matter,
Sincerely,
~Ro~d W.t~Mo~n, P.E., C.F.M
Senior Hydrologist
Mr. Dayton
Macat~ Engineering
EMnil
Subj: City of Coppert, TX - Ken Griffin
Date: 99-04-19 12:31:29EDT
From: LBrFrNEl~fi~akercorp.com (Laura Bittner)
To: RONMOR7777~aol.com
Ron,
I just spoke to Ken Caiffin and I think I was unclear about what we
discussed regarding CLOMRs in Laredo. As we talked about, previously
issued CLOMR existing conditions models should be used as base
models (or as the 'effective model") in new requests for
LOMRs/CLOMRs because this information acts as the best available dam
in the area. However, we cannot do LOMR-Fs, CLOMR-Fs, or LOMAs
Imsed on existing condition CLOMR models. LOMR-Fs, CLOMR-Fs, and
LOMAs can only be issued b~sed on effective BFEs. (Unless the area is
in Zone A where no effective BFEs exist.)
The same is tree for prelil,inary maps. Preliminary maps can be used as
best available data for floodplain management but will not be used for
insurance purposes anti they become effective.
I apologize if this has created some confusion. Please call me at (703)
317-6292 or eraall me if you would like to discuss this further.
Ken Griffin - E0u LieboWitz P~dpe~ S6~th. Of ~an'~ly L~ke R~d~Tr~r~it~'Fl~d~j~l~iri ........................ Page 1 ~
From:
To:
Date:
Subject:
<RONMOR7777@aol .com>
Ken Griffin <kgriffin@ci.coppell.tx.us>
4/21/99 5:17PM
Lou Liebowitz Property South of Sandy Lake Rood, Trinity Floodplain
Ken:
I assume you recieved the information from Laura Bittner regarding the
methodology for submitting CLOMR and CLOMR-F requests. As I understand it, a
CLOMR submittal must use "best available data" which moons the approved
existing condition from the latest CLOMR (or LOMR) appmved by FEMA. This
part I knew. What I didn't know was that this does not apply to a CLOMR-F.
For a CLOMR-F you must use the effective model whether it has been modified
by a CLOMR or not.
This particular site shows on the map as being at elevation 446 +/-. The
existing condition from the latest approved CLOMR shows an elevation of 444
+/-. The Corps model (which has been reviewed by FEMA's technical consultant
and approved, but has not been through the FEMA approval process) shows an
elevation of 442 +/-.
This last model will be official soon (probably this year). So by the time
we finish the subject project we will be required to use the HECRAS model for
as-built conditions.
It seems rather extreme to fill to 446 +/- when most everyone agrees the
correct elevation is 442 +/-, and the FEMA approved (CLOMR) elevation is 444
+/-. I am not sure that there is sufficient storage compensation for an
elevation of 446.
So to correct the problem we are reworking the CLOMR-F submittal we sent to
you. It will now be submitted as a CLOMR. I discussed this with Laura
Bittner and she informed me that FEMA would accept this project for review as
a CLOMR submittal. We will redo the report as a CLOMR and provide it to you
Monday.
The most pressing concorn at this point is time. If this revised submittal
must go through the Kimley Horn review process, it will delay the project to
a point that the developer tells us that it puts the completion of the
project in question.
Please let me know what yuo will require.
Sincerely
Ron Mordson
CC: Allegro5.Hub 05("macatee@mindspring.com","lbittner...