“Maintaining safe and secure communities throughout the islands is paramount in Governor Abercrombie’s New Day Plan to invest in Hawaii’s people,” said William J. Aila Jr., DLNR chairman.

HONOLULU – The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Engineering Division and FEMA Region IX will cosponsor a free workshop on Maui on March 1 to explain the National Flood Insurance Program’s Elevation Certificates

The workshop is targeted at meeting the needs of land surveyors, architects, engineers and county officials who submit and/or review FEMA’s elevation certificates.

“The National Flood Insurance Program’s Elevation Certificate is an important tool to verify that people’s homes are built above the anticipated flood levels to ensure their safety,” said William J. Aila Jr., DLNR chairman.

An elevation certificate is used to determine the proper flood insurance premium rates. It can be used to document elevation information necessary to ensure compliance with community flood plain regulations.

The certificate may be used to support a request for a Letter of Map Amendment or Letter of Map Revision based on fill.

The Maui training will include an introduction to elevation certificates and review several case studies in Hawaii that were submitted to the counties for review and approval.

Participants will learn, step by step, how to complete the elevation certificate form and ensure accuracy in the future.

To register, visit www.hawaiinfip.org and click on the 2012 Elevation Certificate Workshop Registration under the “Latest News” section.

Contact Kristen Akamine at (808) 587-0281 or Jerome Academia at (808) 587-0254 for information.