Final answer:
No, the building official should not use the Corps map for permit decisions if it is outdated; they should use the most current FIRM for flood risk assessment. Up-to-date information is vital for accurate risk management and ensuring public safety. Making decisions based on outdated maps can lead to building in flood-prone areas with potential catastrophic outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to how building officials should make decisions regarding permits, especially when it comes to using maps for flood risk assessment. The Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) is referenced in the context of this question. The FIRM, produced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is used to determine areas at high risk for flooding. Here, the Corps map could be from the Army Corps of Engineers, which may provide additional details such as building layouts and geographical features. However, this information may or may not be up-to-date, and flood risks can change over time due to factors such as climate change, land development, and natural alterations in the environment.
The building official should not use the Corps map for making permit decisions solely because it is easier to read or shows different features compared to the FIRM. The most important aspect a building official must consider is the currency and accuracy of the flood risk information. Therefore, the correct choice is: No, because the building official should always use the most up-to-date information, which in the context of flood risk assessment, is likely provided by the most recent FIRM.
Government entities stress the importance of accurate, up-to-date topographic and flood maps for responsible urban planning and risk management. The official's decision should be based on the best available data to ensure public safety and adherence to building codes and land use planning. The use of outdated maps could lead to infrastructure being developed in areas that are prone to flooding, which could have devastating consequences during flood events.