What supports a No-rise certification?

A No-rise certification is an important requirement related to floodplain management under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It is designed to ensure that proposed developments in flood-prone areas do not increase flood levels during the 100-year flood event. The correct answer, which emphasizes the necessity of technical data and engineering support, reflects the need for rigorous scientific analysis and empirical data to substantiate claims that a project will not cause any rise in flood elevations.

Technical data and engineering support include hydrological and hydraulic analyses that model flood behavior and assess the potential impact of proposed changes to the landscape. This can involve the use of detailed engineering calculations, simulations of water flow, and considerations of existing drainage patterns. Such data are critical for local officials and regulatory agencies to evaluate the effects of proposed developments accurately and ensure compliance with floodplain management regulations. The reliance on scientifically-grounded information provides the community with confidence that developments will not adversely affect flood risk.

While other options might seem relevant, they do not provide the same level of reliable validation needed for a No-rise certification. Field observations alone do not offer the comprehensive data required; theoretical models may lack real-world testing; and community opinions, while valuable, cannot substantiate technical requirements mandated by the NFIP.