LOMR preparation costs

[queque]

What are typical fess ( a range ) given a need to prepare a LOMR in a floodway/flooplain area?
It is assumed that at least 4 simulations are required by FEMA--
1. Duplicate original analyses, (HEC2 or HEC-RAS)

2. Duplicate original analyses with current version of HEC-RAS

3. Corrected effective model with current conditions

4. Corrected effective model with proposed conditions

5.Duplicate effective - duplicate existng conditions from HEC-1 to HEC-RAS with current conditions

 

[Rye1]

You are looking at +/- $4,000 for the LOMR fee that has to be submitted with the package. Engineering fees vary greatly and depend upon complexity of the project and skill of the engineer.

 

[RWF7437]

As Rye1 says; vary greatly. That's why they invented the hourly rate contract. Such a contract is the fairest to both you and your client but unless you can practically guarantee "success" it will be hard to get such an agreement.

 

[RWF7437]

"We have a floodway that we want to modify through channelization. "

QueQue,

From this description it is not clear to me that you need a LOMA or LOMR . There are simpler and less expensive methods for "minor" encroachments in to floodways. Usually, these can be accomplished simply by showing that the conveyance of the floodway is either more than or equal to the conveyance before encroachment. While this is not strictly true, it is close to true for small encroachments and may be allowed by FEMA.

Have you spoken with your FEMA rep?

good luck

 

[RWF7437]

http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/floodplain/nfipkeywords/no_rise.shtm

 

[queque]

Thanks to all of you. One fellow expert in these matters stated that he would not engage in the specific project for less than $50,000.
Another expert stated $32,000 because his firm has less overhead.
The basic problem is that we have to work with USACE, FEMA, EPA, the County Departments (2) and the State.
Time frame expected: 12-24 months for possible approval ?

Not sure that it would be successful, but challenging -- absolutely.

Thx to all of you.

 

[Rye1]

Those estimates are in the ball park.

I would revisit your time line. It may take 12-24 months for FEMA's review of the LOMR application alone. This is often one of the largest hurdles in our area for doing LOMRs. Developers will find the money to do projects but waiting that long for FEMA to review is difficult.