New FIRM and Zoning, Building, Conservation

New FIRMs issues May, 2013.
Appeal Period set to expire in October 2013.
LFD expected in Winter 2014.
Town Meeting Adoption expected in Spring 2014.
Effective Date expected Summer 2014 (6 months after LFD)

When does a proposed building have to comply? When does the local zoning adopt the change? How about Conservation?

I have been asking Town Officials from different Towns and I have received two sets of answers. Two weeks ago, the Director of Community Development for Chatham told me that the Building COde would change with the LFD. She was unsure of Zoning but completely sure that Conservation has already adopted the Maps.

I asked for clarification of the Building Code, questioned the change in the Zoning Bylaw and ignored her interpretation of Conservation Regulations (not in her department). She responded:

[The building code and zoning bylaw must comply with the FIRM maps and FEMA design standards as of the Effective Date] I acknowledge this is different than our original understanding which was shared with you.
...
In addition, recognizing the Town is not the source of these changes and since some of the other engineering and surveying firms seem to have a better grasp of the changes occurring with the FIRM maps, if you have additional questions you may want to consult with your peers or directly consult FEMA.

So my peers, tell me of the interpretation of the FEMA FIRMs and the applicability of their existence to local regulations. Apparently your interpretation of the applicability carries more weight than the interpretation of the Director who is supposed to review applications.

My response was not a smooth as I would have liked.

...should I have more questions regarding the new FIRMs and the applicability in the Town of Chatham, I shall pose such questions to the Town Officials who are responsible for the interpretation and application of our laws and regulations.