I have had a number of angry clients. Issue:
New construction required to obtain an elev. cert. in FEMA-FIRM zone X, due to a pending flood study (as yet to be officially accepted by ... FEMA but accepted by County Engrs. office) that changes many sq. miles of previous X Zone into AE Zone.
Some of these areas indicate 5 ft. of flooding (BFE - existing ground elev.=flood) which is unreasonable. The ground consists very porous a'a lava with sparse forest. A'a lava is loose, crumbly, & easily ripped/rolled by a D8 into a gravelly base. And did I mention it's porous?
I suspect the civil engr. used incorrect percolation factors, hence a BFE too high. But how does a stoopid surveyor challenge that?
Can the public comment on a technical product like a Flood study, and challenge its veracity?
Yes - through the local Flood Plain Manager.
good idea. thanks