What is earthen fill and how does it affect the floodplain?
For purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), fill refers to soil that is used to raise the level of the ground. Depending on where the soil is placed, fill may change the flow of water or increase flood elevations. Fill may be used to elevate a building to meet the NFIP requirements. Sometimes fill is combined with other methods of elevation such as pilings or foundation walls. Placement of fill in the Special Flood Hazard Area requires a local permit from the community. If fill has been added and removes a structure or property from a floodplain, FEMA may issue a Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill, which would remove the federal flood insurance requirement.
