Douglas County v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Feederal Emergency Management Agency et al

Filing 20

ORDER. IT IS ORDERED that Ds' 11 Motion to Dismiss is GRANTED IN PART AND DENIED IN PART. FURTH ORD that P's First and Second Causes of Action are DISMISSED. Signed by Judge Robert C. Jones on 6/9/2010. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF - PM)

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U N I E D STATES D I T R I T CO U R T T S C

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DI TRI T OF NEVADA SC

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1 AGENCY, aI, 3 et .

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1 Us .DEPARTM EN T O F HOM ELAND 2 S EC UR I Y ,EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT T

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Dfdn. enat es

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Thi i anac i nf rr vi w of admi itatve agenc det r i aton.Pl itf Dougl s ss to o e e an ns r i y em n i a n if a

1 Count (d litf) s ed Def ndant U. .Deparmen of Homelnd Securt ' Feder l 7 y ' an i ' u pf e sS tt a iys a

1 Emer en yMan g me t g n y(FEMA', iim Cr i Fu at , n W iim R, a t nJ . 8 gc a e nA e c ' ' ' W la ag g e a d la )l l Blno r 1 (ol ciel,' ef n a t ' f rai r t f l w ad i ita iep o e u ea df ris igfo d 9 c l t y ' e d n s )o f l e o ol ev D u o m ns rt r c d r n o s u n lo v
20 mapst atalegedl cont i t chnial r r .Pr s ntybef r t e Cour i Def ndant ' i n hl y an e c ero s e e l o e h ts e s Moto

21 t Dimis( 1 ) Plit f pp s dt emo in( 1 ) dDe en ansr pl d(/ 8) A he rn o s s # 1 . an i o o e h t # 3 an f d t e i /1 . a ig f o e
22 was hel on May 14,201 . The Cour now isues t e f l w i g or er I I HEREBY d 0 t s h ol n o d.TS

23 ORDERED t atDef ndant'Moton t Dimis( 11)I GRANTED I PART AND DENI D h e s i o ss# S N E
24 I PART. N 25 1 BACKGROUND .

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Undert eNatonal ood I sur nc Act FEMAi char edwihcr atngfood i sur nce h i Fl n a e , s g t ei l n a

2 r t map .See42U. . . â401 , 01 FEMA d t r ie ba efo delv t n t c e t 7 ae s SC j 4 41 , e e m n s s lo e a i s o r a e o
28 // /
1

1 t e e map . See 4 C. . .j 59,. W iim Cr i Fu at i a FEMA Ad iitat ran hs s 4 FR 1 la l ag g e s m ns r o d
2 W il m R,Bl nt n Jr i t e Chi fofFEMA' Engi eerng M anagem entBr nch, la i a o .s h e S ni a 3 Accor i gt t e c m pl i t FEMA began i vestgatng food I vel i Dougl s Count d n o h o a n) n iil e sn a y

4 i It 2003 oreary 2004. ( ompl ( 1)! 4) On Aprl4,2008,FEMA isued pr viinal n ae l C .# ( . i s o so 5 food isur nc rt mapst PlitC,(d.at! 5) FEMA publs ed isbasefood elvaton l n a e ae o an i I (. ih t l ei
6 det r i atons i t e Feder lRegi t r I al o publ hed t e det r i atons i t e N ev da emn i nh a se . t s i s h emn i nh a

7 Ap e /an ws a e p bih di Ca s nCi , Ma 27an J ne3, 00 .( o ,o Dim is p a , e p p r u l e n r o t on y s y du 2 8 M tt s s 8 ( 1 Ex 3) Afe te s c ndp biai n Plit h d9 d y t app alo FEMA.Th ls # 1) . . tr h e o u l t , an i a 0 a s o e t co : eat
9 day Pl i tf coul appeal as ei erSept m ber 1 orSep em ber2,i t e LaborD ay hol ay a n if d w t h e t fh i d
1 i account d f r How ever,when Pl i t: asked Erc Si m ons,a seni r FEMA engi eer 0s e o. an i im o n,

l when t ei 90 day perod f rappealexpied,he i f r ed Pl i t ft att e I s day i coul 1 hr io r no m a ni h h a t f t d

1 appeal Sept m ber3. ( us ar l Decl( 16)l 2) 2 was e M c el a .# f . 1 3 Pl i tf expended appr xi at l $30, 00 t obt i sofwar t r vi w FEMA' model a n if o m ey 0 o an t e o e e S s 1 andt nsoft ousandsof lr hiigconsulant t r viw FEMA' det r iatons.( ompl 4 e h dola s rn t so e e S em n i C . 1 ( 1):! 6,1 ) Plit# sentan appealt FEMA on Sept mber3,2008. çd.at$ 7) 5 # 1r 2 . an i o e l .
1 Subsequent ot e appealPl i tf m et ih FEMA s af i Januar 2O09t di c s t eappeal 6 th , a n if w t t fn y o su sh .

1 Th FEMA sa f cie t a op Plit r s gg se c recins (d. t1 8 , OnAp i2, 7e tf de l d o d t ani s u e t d o r to . / a 1 ) n f rl
1 2009, 8 FEMA sen Pl i tf aI ternf r i g Pl itft atFEMA beleved isorgi al t a n i e t i o m n a n ifh i t i n mapswer e 1 t e mostaccur t and r spondi g t Pl i tf' crtci m s, The l terif r ed Pl i tf t ati 9h ae e n o a n i s ii s f et no m a n if h t

2 h d 6 d yst r s on ,(d a ! 9) 0 a 0 a o e p d /. t ( ,
21 I May 2009,Pl i tf r sponded t FEMA,agai chal ngig is pr pos d maps. n a n if e o n l nt o e e 22 Pl i t# alo cont ct d FEMA vi e- ai and t l phone and event al agr ed t meetwih a ni s ae aml ee ul yeo t

2 FEMA o Au u t 20 9,or s leteis e wi t emap .(d. t1 0) Ho e e , nJ l 3 n g s 4, 0 t e ov h s u s t h h s I a 11 . w v r o uy
24 23, 2009,FEMA i s ed isfnal er i aton I terr gar i g t efood isur nce r t maps. s u t i det m n i e t e d n h l n a ae
25 The I teri f r ed Pl i t# t ati onl r m ai i g pr cess f rcont s i g t e m aps w as tm el e t no m an i h t s y e nn o o e tn h iy

2 jdiilr viw.(d.at$ 11) 6 u ca e e / .
27 D espie FEM A ' fnal er i aton I ter t e par i s atended t e A ugus 4t m eetng. t S i det m n i e t , h te t h th i

28 Acc r i g t Pl i tl,FEMA st f agr ed t atFEMA' maps had defci nci s and t atFEMA o dn o a ni af e h S ie e h
2

1 had not pr pery c or i at d w ih Pl i t#. Pl i tf r ques ed t at FEM A r sci d is fnal o l o dn e t a ni a n if e th e n ti

2 deer iat n, tt a n t e p n e t t a r qu s.(d a ç 1 ) OnSepem b r1 , 00 , t m n i bu ih s o r s o d d o h t e e t / . t 2 . o t e 72 9
3 Pl i t# sued Def ndan s f rf i r t f l w adm i i tatve pr cedur and f ri sui g food a ni e t o al e o o l u o nsr i o e os nl

4 map t a c n ai t c nc l r r .( QmpI( 1 ) s h t o t n e h ia ero s C ./ ). /
5 I. LeoAuST NDARD I A

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A. Rul 12( )1) e b( The pary ivokig t e c ur' j rsditon,r tert an t e pary movig t dim is, t n n h o t u i ci a h h h s t n oss

8 bear t ebur enofest bls igperonalursditon.Ri Pr ps.Ic.? Ri Itlnt rik, sh d a ih n s j i ci o o ,n . o n tI e l 284 n

9 F.d 1007,1019( t Ci.2002) Thepl itf' bur enofpr ofdependsont e nat r ofte 3 9h r . a ni s d f o h ue h
1 evi ence bef r t e c ud, I t e pari s onl subm i wrten evi ence,lhe pl i tf need onl 0 d oe h o fh te y t it d ' t a n if y

1 make a prmaf ci showig ofj rsditont av i t e def ndantsmoton t dimis, I . 1 i ae n u i ci o o d h e ' i o s s ' d;

1 DaaDic I c t Sy .T c . s c .l c, F. d 1 80 1 85( t Ci. 9 7 .Thepaitf 2 t s ,n .t s e h As o s,n .557 2 2 , 2 9h r 1 7 ) l ni f
1 need onl pr duce wrten m at ral t at d em onstat f ct w hi h suppod a fndi g of 3 yo it eis h ' d reas c in

1 j rs iton i or ert avoi a moton t dimis. /. The def ndantc nnotpr vaimer l 4 u id ci n d o d i o s s'd ' e a e l ey
1 by ' ontoveri g t e f ct es abl hed by a pl i t# t r ugh hi ow n afi avis and suppodi g 5 cr tn h a s t i s a ni h o s f dt n
16 m at ral . / . Att i st ge,t e di t i tcoud m ustacceptuncontovered alegatons i t e e i s' d ' hs a h s rc r t li nh

l pl i t#' com pl i t tue and r sol ' confi t bet een t e par i s' denc i t e pl i tf' 7 an i s a n as r e ve ls w c h te evi e n h a n if s

1 f vor Ri Pr ps. 284 F, d at 1019. The cour may notassume t e tut ofal gatons 8a,oo, 3 t h rh li e 1 contadit d by a i avis, Daf Dic I c.e Sys.Fec .Assocs. I c. 557 F. d 1 80,1284 9 r ce #d t a s ,n . h ,n , 22

20 (t Ci.1 77) Normay a dititcour mak cr diii det r iatons i t e f ce of 9h r 9 . s rc t e e bly e m n i n h a t
21 confitng afi avis unl s one ver i n of f cs i i her nty i cr di l . I . But i t e lc i ft d es so a t s n e l n e be d ,f h 22 mat ral bef r t e c ur r ie isues ofcr di ii and di put d questons off ctr gar i g ei s o e h o tas s e b ly t se i a e dn

23 j rsditon,heditit tmayt keevienceatapr lmiar hearng./ .at1285.Plitf u i c i t src cour a d ei n y id anif 24 mus t en est blsh per onalurs iton bya pr ponder nceoft e evience. I. th ai s j id ci e a hd d

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2 6

B.

Rul 12 b)6 e ( ()

A cour mustdi m is a c use ofactont atf i t s at a cl i upon whi h r lefcan t ss a i h al o t e am s c ei

2 b gr ned. F d.R,Ci,P 1 ( )6 . W h n c n iern a mo in t dimis u derRul 7 e at e v 2 b() e o sd ig t oss n o e 2 1 ( )6 f ral r t sat acam , imis lsa p op it o l whe t ec m pan d e n t 8 2 b ( ) o f i e o t e li ds s a i p r rae ny n h o lit o s o u
3

1 gi et e def ndantf i notce ofa Igal cogniabl cl i and t e gr unds on whih i r ss. vh e ar i el y z e am ho c te t

2 Se BelAt Cor .l Two by,5 0 U. .5 4,5 5 ( 00 ) d h e db r r ct l o t e e l l pt . m l 5 S 4 5 2 7 . ' ra ae e i s f h T a
3 el m ent of a caus ofacton,suppored by m er concl sor st t m ent ,do notsu fce. e s e i t e u y ae s fi ' '

4 Ashcr f v Ibal 1 9 S.Ct 1 37,1 49 ( 009) I c nsierng whet erte compl iti ot . q , 2 .9 9 2 .no d i hh an s
5 sufii nt o s at acl i ,he cour wi t k aImat ral l gatons astue and c nstue t em f e t t e am t c t l a e I e i al l ei r orh
6 i t e I htm ostf vor bl t t e pl i tf. See NL I dus ,I c.v.Kapl n,792 F. d 896,898 nh i g a a e o h a n if n .n a 2

7 ( t Ci.1986) The cour,however i notr quied t ac eptas tue al gatons t atar 9h r , t ,s eroc rlihe e
8 mer l concl sor , ey u y unwarant ddeductonsof act or nr asonabl if r nc s.SeeSpr wel re i f ue e ne e e el

9 v Gode St t Wa ro s 26 F.d97 , 8 ( t Ci2 01 . . l n ae rir , 6 3 9 98 9 h r 0 ) ,
1 0 11 A NAL SI 1. YS

11

A.

Pl i tf had 90 days afer Def ndant ' second publcaton of food a n if t e s ii l

1 2 1 3

pr j ctons i t eNevadaAppe lt appealt FEMA. oe i n h ao o FEMA mus publ hprj cedfoodelvatons'napr mientlcalnewspaperatlast t i oe t l s ei' i on o e

1 t i e durng t e t n- ay perod f l w i g notfcaton t t e I calgover m ent' 42 U . . . 4 wc i h ed i ol n o ii i o h o n . ' SC

1 j 4104( ) ' urng t e niet- ay perod f l wig te second publ aton,any Dwneror 5 b . D i h n yd i ol n h o ii c
1 l ss e ofr alpr pedy w ihi t e com m uniy w ho beleves hi pr pery rght t be adver el 6 ee e o tnh t i s o t i so sy 1 afect d by t e D iec ors pr posed det r i at n m ay appeal h det r i aton t t e l cal 7 fe h rt' o em n i o suc em n i o h o

1 gover m ent' / . Pl i tf ar uest att e tm e perod t appeal o FEMA neverbegan t r n 8 n . d a n if g ' hhi io t ou 1 because Def ndant f i d t f l w admi i tatve pr c dur by publshi g t e food 9 e s a l o ol e o nsr i oe e in hl

2 p oe t n i a p omien Ic ln ws ap r Deend n s pu l h d t e prjc in i t e 0 rj ci s n r n t o a e p e . f a t bi e h oe t s n h o s o
21 Nev da Appoal a . 2 2 The Nev da Appeals a pr m i entI calnewspaper Pl i tf ar uest att e Nev da a i on o . a n if g hh a

23 Appeali nota pr m i entI c l s on o a news aperbecause ii publ hed i Car on Ci Count , p ts i s n s t y y not

24 DouglsCount ,Plitfsu gest Def ndanss oul havepublshedt epr jctonsi t e a y an if g s e th d i h oe i n h
25 Reco d Courerwhi h i publshed i Dougl s Count , r i cs i n a y
26 Thi ar um enti unper uas ve. The r quiem entofpubl aton i a pr m i entI cal sg s si er ii n c on o

27 newspaperi cl ary meantt gie efectve notce t i t r s ed pari s, Ther f r ,'oc l sel ov fi i o nee t te e o e l a' '
28 shoul be i t r r t d t m ean I cal cic l t d,not si pl I c ly publshed. C l ary,a d ne p e e o o l ru ae y m y o al i el
4

1 newspapert ati publshed i Dougl s Count butcicul t d elew her shoul notsats y hs i n as y r ae s e d if 2 t e s at t r notc r quiement . Butnewspaper publ hed elew her wihwi ecicul ton h t u o y ie e r s s i s s e t d r ai 3 i Dougl s Count shoul satsy t e s at t . The Nevada Appealhas t e sec nd-ar es n a y d if h t u e h o lg t
4 cicul ton of newspaper i Norher N evada and cicul t s t fve nei hbor oods i r ai sn tn r ae o i g h n

5 Dou ls Cou t f eda sawee .( e . Repy( 1 )6:-1 ) Ev nit e Nev daAppe l ga s n y i y v k D f' s l # 8 9 8 , e fh a a
6 w as not a pr m i ent I cal new spaper Pl i tf has not show t at i I ck d notce of t e on o , a n if h ta e i h

7 prj cins orwas i anyway pr j died, ( ee i.at7:4-8:2) Ther f r ,Def ndant oe to n eu c Sd 1 1. eoe e s
8 satsfed t e sat t by publ hi g i t e Nev da Appeal i i h t ue i n nh s a .

9
1 0

B.

DespiePl i tf' It appealo FEMA,hi Coud hasj rsditonovert i t a n ifs a e t ts u i ci hs
m at er. t

1 1

Def ndant ar ue tatt i Cour ycks s bec materj rsditon overt i mater e s g h hs ta u j t t u i ci hs t

1 because Pl i tf fl d an appealt FEMA afert e deadlne pr sc i e by st t t . Pl i tf 2 a n if ie o th i o rb d a u e a n if
1 c ncedes t at t appeal 3o h is wasfl d w ih FEM A one day afert e st t t r deadlne, ar ues i et t h a uo y i but g 1 t at equiabl def nses ofes oppel t li g,and w ai er pr ventD ef ndant f om asser i g 4h te e t , o ln v e e sr tn

1 Pl i tf' untm elness. Becaus t e tm e-i i t atPl i tf has notf l com pled wih i not 5 a n ifs i i e h i lm t h a n if ul y i ts

1 jrs it n lPlit f u tmeie sdo sn t pr et i Cou t f ubec mat ru idit n. 6 u idci a , an i s n i l s e o de i hs ro s j t te j r c i o f n v so
1 7 The s at t s gover i g t e adm i it atve pr cedur at i sue i t i case have t o t ue nn h nsr i o e s n hs w

1 r l vanttm e Im i f rappeal . The fr ti poses a 90- ay tm e lm i on appeal t FEMA 8 ee i it o s s is m d i it so

1 a t rhes c n p biainoft prjc e f odee at n f r ommen i ap omie toc l 9 fe t e o d u l t c o i oe t d l lv i s o c s o o tn r n n I a 20 newspaper 42 U. . . 4104( )( ) Thi satt gover sadmiitatvepr c ssf rFEMA . SC j b ,c . s t u e n ns r i o e o
21 t seekand i c r or t com m en sfom t ecommuniy.AferFEMA r cei esa tm el appeal o n o p ae tr h t t ev iy , 2 ir vi wsand r solest e appeal wiht eappel nt and makesafnal er i atonwihi 2 te e evh s th ls a i det m n i tn

2 a r as n bl tme. /. tj41 4( ) FEMA ma de l et c n ie u t et a p al.Se 3 e oa ei da O e, y ci o o sd r ni y p e s e n m
2 Ci ofBr nswlk v UntedSt ts,849 F,d 5O1,504-06 ( 1t Ci.1988) 4t y u è . i ae 2 1h r .
25 The second tm e Im if rappeal apples t appeal t t e dititcour aferFEMA' i i to s io s o h s rc tt S 26 fnaldet r i aton.' nyappel ntaggreved byanyfnal er i aton oft e Diec orupon i em n i A l a i i det m n i h rt 27 adm i itat e appeal as pr vi ed by t i secton,may appealsuc det r i aton t t e nsr i v , od hs i h em n i o h
28 Unied St t s di t i tcour f rt e di ti t ihi w hi h t e c m m uni i l cat d notm or t an t a e s rc t o h s rc w t n c h o t so e y eh
5

l sxy da s at rr c ito n tc o su h d t r ia in. I.a j 41 4( ) On r ve , h it y fe e e p f o ie f c e e m n t ' d t 0 g . o' e iw t e
2 di t i tcour ' hal deci e aI r l vantques i ns ofI w ,i t r r tconstt tonaland st t t r s rc t' l s d Ie e to a ne p e iu i a uo y

3 pr vi i ns,and det r i e t e meani g orappl abiiy oft e t r s ofan agency acton. 5 o so em n h n il ct h em i' '

4 U. . , 706. U. . ,j41O4( )(The s opeofr viw byt ecour shalbeaspr vied b SC j , 42 S C g' c ee h tl od y 5 ch p e 7o Tie 5. . FEMA' de iint n tc nsde anap ealt emsu tmeyma be a tr f t ' l' ) S cso o o o i r p ide ni l y
6 r vi w ed by a di t i tcour . ee s rc ' t

7

Def ndantonl atacks t e tm elness ofPl i tf' appeal o FEM A , t t i Coud. e yt hii an i s f t not o h s

8 9 1 0 11 1 2

Ti e I isi f der lsat tsar gener lynotj rsditonal t r gar t prvat Iiant . m i t n e a t ue e m al u i ci wih e d o i e ig s t SeeZlesB T an W o l Aiies I c, 5U. , 85, 93( 98 )(W eh l t a fl gat el p . r s rd rn ,n .45 S 3 3 1 2 ' od h t in i y l d i m char e ofdicrmiaton wih t e EEOC i notaj rsditonalpr r quiie t sui i f der l g sini t h s u i ci e e st o t n e a coud,buta r quiementt at Ik astt t ofl i tons,i subectt waier esoppeland er h ,ie a u e i t i s j o v , t ma , equiabl t lig.lNat n1 BankofCalor i, F.d691, t e oln '; o , ' i na 649 2 f 695-96( t Ci. 9 h r 1981)( olig h dn

1 t atequiabl t li g and equiabl est ppel 3h t e o ln te o appl t t e 30O- ay notfcaton tm e Im i i t e yoh d ii i i i t n h

1 Age Dicrmiaton and EmplymentAc) Though waier ofsover in i muniy ar 4 sini o t. vs eg m te
1 constued stity and pr cedur ltm e Im is ar condii ns of t e waier of s ver i n 5 r rc l o a i it e to h v o eg
1 i m uni , abs nt evi ence of Congr ssi nal i t n t t e c nt ar , i i pr sum ed t at 6m t y e d eo ne t o h o r y t s e h

1 Congr ss it nds tattme I i i r medilstt ts ar notj rs itonalevenwhen t e 7 e ne h i i t n e a aue e ms u id ci h
1 def ndanti t e Unied St t s. See Iwi 1 Dep'ofVet r ns Afais,498 U. ,89,95 96 8 e sh t ae rn. l ea fr S -

1 ( 990)( - deciin ont i is e)( ol ig tatequiabl t lig appl st t e 3O- aytme 91 62 so hs s u h d n h t e o ln i oh e di

2 I ii Til VIsutag i s Unt d Stt sag n y ; ee as J hn R. nd & Gr v lCo 1 0 i t n t I i a n t ie a e e c l s lo o m e Sa ae . .
21 Uni d St t s,552 U. .130,137-38 ( 008)( - )( ol ig Iwi appl s pr spectvel t t ae e S 2 7 2 h dn r n io e i yo
22 st t t r it r r t ton butdoes notalerprorcase lw hol i g t atspecii f der lst t t s a uo y ne p e ai t i a dn h fc e a a u e

2 o I i t n we ej r dci n l d c ud n t al r d b e ut bl d f n e ) 3 f i t i s r u i it a an o l o be t e y q ia e e e s s . m ao so e
24 Neiherpary has al red t e Cour t any prorcas Iw addr ss n whet ert e 90t t et h to i ea e ig hh

25 day tme l i f rappealt FEMA i jrsditonal Though Def ndant ci sever lc ses i i to m o s u i ci . e st e aa 26 dicussigj rsditon under42 U. . . 41 4, s n u i ci S C j 0 noneoft ecas sar onpoitr gar igt i h ee n e d n hs

2 is e,Se Ci of u s ikF Unt dSt ts, 49 F.d5 1 5 4-0 ( 1hCi. 9 8) h lig 7 su e t Br n w c . i a e 8 2 O , 0 6 1 t r 1 8 ( od n y e 28 tatFEMA wassubstntalyj siidi denyig second appealo FEMA byci Idgedwel h a i l u tfe n n t to y l
6

l afert e 30 days FEMA gave t e ciyt r spond andwel- eyond 60 days fom FEMA' fnal th h t oe lb r Si

2 det r i atonl Count ofMonmout v.F. . . . No.09- 69,2009 W L 3151331,at* -5 em n i ; y h EM A , 7 3

3 ( . .. t2 , 00 ) h ligt a t ec ur Ic edj r dit nb c u et ec u t wa n t D N J Sep , 4 2 9 ( o dn h t h o ta k u i ci e a s h o ny s o so 4 a ' om muniy'and t usI c edst ndi g t appeal;Ci ofBlox v Gifrdat6O8 F.Supp, ' c t' h a k ano lt y l i . ufi 5 927, 930-31 ( . .Mis.1 85)( olig t att e c ur Ickedj rsditon because t e ciy' S D s 9 h dn h h o ta u i ci h ts
6 appealwas notbased on sci ntfc ort chni aler orand because appealwas m ade t t e e ii e c r oh

7 cour mor t an 60 days afernotc ofFEMA' fnaldeciinl Rear on v.Krmm ,541 F. t eh t ie Si so ; d i 8 9 1 0 1 1 Supp,1 7,188-89 ( .Kan.1982)( ol ig t ecour lckedj rsditonbecaus te appeal 8 D h dn h ta u i ci eh wasnotbased onscintfcort c nialeror;Ci ofTr nt n v.F. . . .545 F.Sup 13, e ii e h c r l t y eo EM A , p 15 16 ( , ,Mih.1 81)( olig t att e c ur Ick dj rsditon becauset e ci ' appeal - E D c 9 h dn h h o ta e u i ci h ts y was made t t e coud mor tan 60 days at rnotc ofFEMA' fnaldeciin) None of oh eh fe ie Si so .

1 t ese cases addr sswhet era dititcour i deprved ofj rsditon whent e appelant 2h e h src ts i u i ci h l
1 appeal t t e c ur wihi 60 days ofFEMA' fnaldet r i aton buthad made appealt 3 soh o t tn Si em n i o
1 FEM A m or t an 90 days afert e sec nd publ aton i a l calnewspaper 4 eh th o ii n o c . 1 5 ' he ni et - ay appeal i d was notchosen r ndom l ,butdet r i ed by Congr ss ' T n yd pero a y emn e

1 t becapabl of'arf l prt ctn t eit r ssofhos afeced( hie avoi tng!tepial 6o e c eu l o e ig h n e e t t e f t w l) d i h t l y f
1 of m i i g t ose unnecessar del y and sel i t r s ed pr cr stnatons whi hwoul m ake 7 per t n h t y as fn e e t oai i c d

1 t ef o is r n epr gr m u wo k bl. Ci o Bi x, 08 F. p. t9 9( u t gCon . 8 h l d n u a c o a n r a e ' t f l i6 o 'y o Sup a 2 q o i n g 1 Rec 114 88 ,De emb r20 1 7 ) Ths puros s gg ss a c n er wi a oiig 9 . -2 5 c e , 9 3 , i p e u e t o c n t v dn h
20 unr asonabl and bad-aih del ys. The st t t r fam ewor cl ary evi ces an atem ptt e e ft a a uo y r kel n t o 21 encour ge FEMA t wor wihl cal om m unii s i goodf ih.Such c oper ton i not ded a o k to c te n at o a i s ai 22 b rgi adher nc t tm e I i . I deed,tappear t atFEMA r utnel gr nt com m uniis yid e eoi i t n ms i sh oi yas te

23 mor tan90dayst appeal Ci ofBf x, F. l p. 93O($ i alonot dtat totgh eh o .t y ï i6O8 Stp at o $ts s e h alh l l
2 Congr sshaslm ied t e appeal i d t ni et days, 4 e it h pero o n y FEMA wiI Iacceptan appeal isfood oft l

25 elvatons atany tme,even beyond t e niet- ay perod,) Ther i no idiaton t at ei i h n yd i f. ' es n c i h 26 Congr s it ndedt i admiitatvepr cedur t afec t ej rs itonofadititcoud on e s ne hs nsr i o e o f t h u id ci src 27 lt rappeal The satt gr nig appel t j rsditont t e dititc ursnowher sat s ae , t u e a tn l e u i ci o h src o t a e te 28 t att edititcoud' jrsditon i dependenton te tmel flngofanappeal t FEMA. h h s rc s u i ci s h i y ii wih
7

1 Se 42 U. . . 41 4( ) F i r t t el fl a app al t FEMA i ag ou df r e S C j 0 g . a l e o i y i n e wih u m e s r n 0 FEMA t o
2 deny t e appeal See Ciy ofBr nsw i k,849 F. d at504-06. A di ti tcour m ay r v ew h . t u c 2 s rc t ei

3 FEMA' c m pl nce wih admi itatve pr cedur . See Col m bi Vent r LLC $.Sout So i a t nsr i o e ua ue / h

4 Car l a Wi leFeder t n, F.d 290, oi n li df ai 562 3 o 294-95 ( t Ci. 4 h r2009)( ercuram)( oligt at p i h dn h 5 FEMA' f i r t tmel publshi te Feder lRegitrwashar lsseror. S al e o i y i n h u a se me r)
6 Not i g suggest a dit i tc ur i pr cl ded fom r vi w i g FEM A ' deci i n t deem hn s s rc o t s e u r ee n S so o

7 an appealas untm el . Cerai l ,i FEMA ar ir rl deem ed a cl ary tm el appealas iy t ny f b ta i y eli y
8 untm el and r f sed t c nsi eri, t e appeal iy eu o o d t and h was ot er i e pr per a di t i tc ur coul h w s o , s rc o t d

9 r viw t e agency' decsi n.Absentevi ence sugges i g ot er i e and absentprorc se ee h s io d tn h w s ia
1 I w t t e cont ar , t e Cour pr sum es t at tm e I is i r m edi l s at t s ar not 0 a oh ry h le hi it n e m a t ue e

1l jrsditonaleveniasseredagais t egover ment SeeJohnR. u i ci , f t n th n . Sand& Gr vel552U. . a, S
1 at137 38. r i , 2 - , w n 498 U. . 95-96,Ther f r , ai tf' f iur t appeal o FEM A wihi 90 I S at e o e Pl n ifs a l e o t tn

1 daysoft e second publ aton i a I c lnewspaperdoesnotdeprvet i Cour ofsubjct 3 h i i n oa c i hs t e

1 mat rj rsditon. 4 te u i c i
1 5
1 6

C.

Pl i tf ' equiabl def nses m ay alow i pr ceed w ih is appeal a n ifs te e l to tt despie t
unti elness. mi

1 7
1 9 20

Because t e sat t i notjrsditonal Plitf may as er equiabl def ns s t h t ue s u i ci , an if st t e ee o
1. Equiabl Est ppel m ay pr vent Def ndant f o m ar ui g t a te o e e sr g n ht Pl i t f ' appealw as unt m el . a n ifs iy

l pr ventDef ndant fom ar ui g is untm elness. See Iwi , 8e e sr gnt ii r n 498 U, ,at95-96. S

21

$ he docti e ofequiabl es oppeli a ai bl it e f l wi g el m ent ar pr sent $ T rn tet s v l e fh ol n e a o see :

2 ( ) ep ryt b eso p d mu t n w t ef cs ( ) mu tn e dtat i c n u t h lb 2 1 Th a t o e t p e s k o h a t '2 he s it n h hs o d c s a l e ,
23 act d on or m ustso ac t att e pary asser i g t e es oppelhas a rghtt bel ve i i s e th h t tn h t ioi e ts o

2 it n e '3)te lt r s b in r nt tetuef cs a d( ) e mu t el O t ef r er 4 ne d d, h a t mu t e g o a ofh r a t ; n 4 h s r y n h o m ' ( e s 25 conductt hi ij r . Lavn v.Marh,644 F.d 1378,1382 ( t Ci.1981)( uotng Uni d o s nu y' i s 2 9h r qi t e 2 St tsk Ge r i- aclc 4 1F.d9 , ( t Ci. 9 0 ) 'T) iv k eso p l ais t e 6 a e ' o ga p l , 2 2 2 96 9h r 1 7 ). d o n o e t p e ag n t h , i f
27 G over m ent t e pary cl i i g es oppelm us show ' #im atve m i conduct as oppos d t n ,h t am n t t ar i s ' eo 28 m er f iur t i f r orassi t' Lavn,644 F. d at1382. ' pary s eki g t r i e est ppel e al e o no m s. i 2 $ A t e n o as o
8

1 agai s t e gover m ent m us est bl h ' fim atve m i conduc goi g beyond m er nt h n t a i a fr i s s t n e 2 neglgence' even t en,d st ppelw ilonl appl wher t e gover m ents wr ngf lac wil i ; h eo l y y eh n ' o u tl

3 c u eas rou ijsie, dt ep bi' it r s wi n t fer du d ma eb i p st n a s e i s nu t an h u l s ne e t l o suf un e a g y m o io c c l i
4 oft e I bit . Wagnerv. r ctr F. . . .8 7 F.d 515, ( t Ci.1 88) A#im atve h i ly ' ai' Die o , E M A , 4 2 519 9 h r 9 . r i
5 mi c nducti cl des delber t Ies and a pater off l e pr m i es. See Soc p- onzal z B so nu i ae i t n as o s oG e.

6 /N. ,272 F.d 1176,11 4 ( t Ci,2001)( nbanc) . S, 3 8 9h r e .
7 l Lavn, he pl i tf ar ued t at he Ar y Res r e shoul be est pped fom r m ovi g n it a n if g ht m e' v d o re n 8 hi at m age 53 undera m andat r r m ov l at t bec use is r cr ier had I d hi t beleve oyp a st u e a t e ut s e mo i 9 t athe woul be abl t k ep ser i g untlhe qual i d f rr tr m entdurng t e 17 year he h d eo e vn i i e o e ie f ih s 1 s r ed. The c ur hel t att e Ar y Reser e was notest pped fom r l i g on t e st t t 0 ev o t dh h m v o r eyn h au e ll because pl i tf never as ed f r r tr m en el i i t r quiem ent i w rtng and a n if k o e ie t i b ly e r gi sn ii 1 never despie bei g lc nsed t pr c i e I w - check d t e r l vant at t s and r gul tons 2 t n ie o a tc a e h ee st u e e ai

1 hi sel and becaus pl i tf coul have ser ed l ng enough t ear r tr m entbene is i he 3mf e a n if d vo o n e ie ft f

1 obt ied a hi herr nk. I .at1383 84. The cour not d t at'pl rons dealng wih t e 4 an ga d t e h ' es E i th
1 gover m ent echar ed wihknowi ggover m ent at t sand r gul tons, t eyassume 5 n ar g t n n st u e e a i and h
1 t e rsk t atgover m entagent m ay exc ed t ei aut ort and pr vi e m i i f r aton. / . 6hih n s e h r h iy od sno m i ' d '
1 at1383. 7

l 8

Def ndant ar ue t atest ppel neverappl t t e Uni d St t s. Def ndant cie e sg h o can yoh t e ae e st

1 Ofieof er onnel 9 l ps c MgmtB Rihm ond, U. 41 , ( 990)f rti pr posiin.( ef' .. c 496 S, 4 42O 1 ,o hs o to D . s

2 Repy( 1 ) 1 - 0) I Rih o d,h Sup e eCou t eidont eAppopr to sClu e 0 l # 8 8:8 2 . n c m n t e r m rrl e h r i in a s a
21 and cl ary lm ied is hol i g t cl i s sorpaymen ofmoney fom t e Publ Tr asur e l it t dn o a m f t rh ie c y 22 c ntar t a st t t r appr praton. 496 U. . 424.The Supr m eCour exp iil di not o r yo auey o ii ' ' S at e t lcty d 23 hol t atan es oppelcl i coul neversucceed agai stt e Unied St t s. I .at423.see dh t am d nh t ae d ,

2 as Gowlnd v Aeta, 43 F,d951 9 5( t Ci. 99 )(W h nfder lu dsar iv led, 4 lo a .n1 3 , 5 5h r 1 8 ' e e a f n e n o v ' 25 te j diir i poweress t uphol a cli ofesoppelbec use such a holig woul h u ca y s lo d am t a dn d
26 encrachupont eappr pratonpower r nt dexclsiel t Congr s byt eConsiuin,) o h o ii ga e u v yo es h ttto '.
27 Pl i tf m ay succeed w ih an est ppel c ai , Pl i tf assers t at an agent of a n if t o lm a n if th

28 Def ndant i f r ed i t ati had untlSept m ber 3 t fl is appeal Rat ert an deny e s nom th t i e o ie t , hh
9

1 Pt i t fsSept m ber3 appeaf untm el , endant c nsi er d ibef r maki gt eifnal an i f e as i y Def s o d e t oe n h ri
2 det r i aton. Def ndant teat d Pl i tf' appeal tm el i num er us i t r c i ns wih emn i e s r e an i s f as i y n o n e a to t 3 Pl i tf. Pl i tf' i cur ed cost atem ptng t change Def ndant 'm i ds on t e food a n if a n ifs n r st io e sn hl

4 prj cinsoper tng undert eas umptont atheiappeal tmel.Plitfmaybeabl oe to ai hs i htr was i y an if e
5 t show a pater of m i r pr sent ton t atw ar ant es oppel o tn se e ai h rst . 6 7 2. Equiab l t li g m ay excuse Pl i tf s f iur t t m el appealt t e o ln a n ir a l e o i y o FEM A .

8

Equi bl t lng excuses a cl i antsf i r t compl wih tm e Im i it e cl i ant t e ol a i am ' al e o u y t i i t f h am s

9 Icksact aland consr ctvenotceofte Imis,Leong B Poter 347F.d 1117,11 3 ( t a u tu i i h it . t, 3 2 9h 1 Ci. 00 ) ' qut bet lngf c s so apan i se c s bein r n ean Icko p eudc 0 r2 3 .' i l o l o u e n litr x u a l g o a c d a f r j ie Ea i f
11 t t e def ndant' / . O nce a cl i ant obt i s counsel t li g ceases bec use she i oh e .d ' am an , o ln a s 1 char ed wih constuc i e know l dge offlng I iatons t r ugh herator ey.I .' m ong t e 2 g t r tv e ii i t i m ho tn d' A h 1 cicum st nces t w hi h cours m ay I ok i det r i i g t e appl abii ofequiabl t l ng i 3r a o c t o n e m nn h i ly c t t e ol s i

1 d het ert e compl i anthas been i duced ortiked by hi adver ar ' m iconduc i t 4w h h an n rc s s ys s t no
1 alow i g t e flng deadlne t pass.'Su er ai Car o, l c.1 Unied St t s, F. d 1204, 5 lnhi i io ' pml g n . t ' a e 68 3

1 1207 (t Ci.1995)( uotng Iwi , U. .at96) 6 9h r q i r n 498 S .
1 7 ' ecause t e applcabii of t e equiabl t li g doc rne ofen depends on m ater d B h i ly h t t e o ln ti t ts

1 outiet epladigs,i' notgener l amenabl t r soltononaRul 12( )6)moton.' 8 sd h e n ti s al y e o e ui e b( i' ' 1 Super ai 68 F.dat1 06 ( uotng Cer antsv.Ci ofSanDigo, F.d 1273,1276( t 9 ml , 3 2qi ve t y e 53 9h

2 Ci. 9 3 ) 1 mot nt dimisb s donte r n igo t esa ueo I iai n pe id ma 0 r 1 9 ),$ i o s s a e A o h u n n f h t t t f i t t s ro y mo
21 be gr nt d onl ' t e as eri nsoft e c m pl i t r ad wiht e r quied I er l y, ae y i h s to f h o a n ,e t h e r i a i woul not b t d 22 per i t e pl i tf t pr ve t att e st t t was t l d.' Su er ai,68 F. d at1206-07 m t h a n if o o h h a u e ol ' e' pml 3

2 ( u tn J bln e Dea Nje & Co.61 F.d 6 7, 2 ( t Ci.98 ). 3 q o ig a o . n t r t , 4 2 7 68 9 h r1 0 )
24 l Super al accor i g t t e compl i t t e I S pl ced l ves on r f nds o ed t n m, dn o h an , h R a ei eu w o 25 pl i tf by t e U. , t m s Ser ie t sats y a pl i tf' ator ey' t x obl aton. 68 F. d a n if h S Cuso v c o if a n ifs t n s a ii g 3 2 at1 05 06.The l S di n0ti f r t e pl i tf oft e l vi s.l .at1206.l st ad,overa t o 6 2Rd n o m h a n if h e e d ne w 27 year afert e I vi s wer efec ed, he Cust m s Ser ie t l t e pl itf t att e r f nds s t h ee e ft t o vc o d h a n if h h e u
28 wer del yed butwoul be pai ev nt al . I . Two w eek l t r t e l S fnal advi ed t e ea d d eul d y s a e ,h R i l y sl 4
10

1 pl i tf t ati had l vi d t e r f nds. I . The pl i tf pr m pty fl d a r ques f rr t r of a n if h t e e h eu d a n if o l ie e to eu n

2 t e pr pery wih t e l S i New Yor . I . The I S i nor d t e r quest t en asked f r h o t thR n kd Rgehe ,h o
3 addii nali f r aton. I . The pt i tf pr m pty com pl d. / . The I S t en i f r ed t e to no m i d a n if o l i ed R h no m h

4 pl i t; t ati mustfl wih a Cal or i ofie. I . The pl i tl pr m pty c m pl d. I . For an i h t it e i n a fc d f an i o l o i ed 5 sever l a mont s, he I S di notact I .W hen t e pl i ti t r at ned sui,he I S asked f r ht R d .d h a ni h e e tt R o
6 m or i f r aton. I . The pl i tf pr m pt com pled. / . Fi al , he Cal or i l S ofi er e no m i d a n if o l y i J n lt y i na R f f c

7 denid t e pl i tf sr ques because ihad notbeen tm el fl d,/ ,The pl i tf t ensued. e h an i e f t t i y ie d a n if h
8 I . The Ni t C icui r ver ed t e di ti tcour' di m i s land hel t att e pl i tf coul d n h r t e s h s rc ts s s a d h h ani f d 9 pr ve a setoff ct t atwoul entte hi t equiabl t l ng . I .The N i t Cicui r as ned o a sh d il m o t e ol i d nh r te o 1 t at t e I S ' f iur t notf t e pl i tf of t e I vi s and t e Cust m s Ser i e' 0h h R S al e o iy h a n if h ee h o vc s

11 r pr sen atonst att e r f nd woul be pai c ul t lt e perod t fl wih t e l S and t at e e ti h h eu d d o d o lh i ol t h R e h 1 t e I S r pr sent ton t att e pl i tN must iewih is Calor i ofi e c ul t lt e perod 2 hR ee a i h h a ni fl t t i n a fc o d o l h f i
1 t fl a ci i com pl i t ih t e di t i tc ur bec use t e second r ques was t e onl r quest 3 oi e vl a n w t h s rc o t a h e t h ye

1 t e l S teat d as pr per I .at1 08. 4hRre o ,d 2 1 5 As not d above, e equi bl t li g f cuses on Pl i tf s excusabl negl c and t e I ck t e o ln o a a n ir e et ha

1 ofprj die t Def ndant , SeeLeong,347 F.d at1123. Def ndant have aleadyaced 6 eu c o e s 3 e s r t

1 as i te appealwas tmel. Therf r ,t er i Ite prjdie t Def ndant i al wig 7 fh iy e o e h e s il eu c o e t sn l n o
1 Pl i tf t pr ceed wih is cl i . Pl i t fs negl cti exc sabl . l r asonabl r l d on 8 a n if o o t t am a ni ' f es u e te y ei e 1 r pr sent tons fom Def ndant r gar ig i tm e t appeal Def ndant ' epr sent tons 9 ee ai r e s e dn t i o s .e sr e ai 20 wer notcearysuspec sucht atPl it# shoul notbe alowed t r l ont em .Pl i tf may e ll t h an i d l o ey h a n if

21 b abet s o i j siabe r l n e t j si e ut bet ln . e l o h w t u t i l e i c o u ty q i l ol g sf a f a i
22
2 3

3.

Def ndant m ay have wai ed t ei rght t cl i t at Pl i tf ' e s v h ri o am h a n ifs
appeal o FEM A w as unt m el . t iy

2 4

Pl i tf ar uest atDef ndant waiedt ei rghtt ass r untm elnessbecaus t ey a n if g h e s v h ri o e t i i eh

25 teat d t e appeal as tm el i t e admi itatve pr cess bef r isui g t ei fnal reh i ynh nsr i o oe s n h r i 26 det r i aton. Def ndant do notaddr ss wai eri t ei r pl , Si ce Def ndant never em n i e s e v nh re y n e s

27 r ied untmelness t rj c Plitf' appealdurng t e admi itatve pr c ss,tey may as ii o ee t an i s f ih ns r i o e h
28 have wai ed t e rghtt do so now. v hio
11

l
2

D.

Pl i tf concedes t at t i Cour' r vi w over Def ndant 'actons i a n if h hs ts e e e s i s
lm ied t t e sci ntfc and t chni al accur cy of Def ndant ' fo od it oh e ii e c a e sl

3 4

pr j ctons. oe i Defndant ar uet ateviw byti Coudi l i dt whet erFEMA' pr jctonsar e sg hre hs si t o me h S oe i e

5 sci ntfc l or t chni aly ac ur t . Pl i tf admis t at t e Cour cannot r vi w f r e iia l y e c l c ae a n if th h t ee o

6 pr cedur ldef ct . ( I' Opp' ( 13)9: 1 1 :0:4) Ther f r ,t e Cour mustdimis o a e s P .s n# 2 - 01 1 , eo e h t ss 7 Plitf' cli st atar notbasedont escenti ort chnialnaccur c i t eprj cins. anifs am h e h i ic e c i f a y n h oe to l
8 Pl i tf s fr t cause of acton al ges t at Def ndant f ied t c m pl wih an i f is i l e h e s al oo y t

9 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 4
1 5 1 6

admiitatve pr cedur r gar ig communiaton and c oper ton wih Plitf. ( ompl nsr i o e e dn ci o a i t an if C . ( 1)1% 18-22) Plitf' sec nd caus ofacin al gest atDef ndant f ied t compl #1 , a nifs o e to l e h e s al o y wi ad iitaie pr c du e i r sp n ig t Plit r a p a . (d.a ! 2 -2 ) Bu , t m ns r t h v o e r n e o dn o a n i s p e l / t ! 4 6 . t f Plitf st idcauseofacinal gest atDef ndant ' ojctonsar t chnial icorect an ir h r to l e h e s pr e i ee c ln r . y (d. t: 1 8 30) The eor , aitf frtan s c n c u eofa t n ar ds is d. I a 1 2 - . r f e Pl ni ' is d e o d a s 1 fs ci e im s e o E. Pl i tf hasmet is bur enofest blshigj rsditon by showi gt ati a n if t d a i n ui ci nht
m ade a pr per appeal t FEMA w ih pr per suppodi g dat and o o t o n a docum ent t on. ai

1 7

Def ndant alo ar uet atPl i tff ied t l dgeapr perappeal t FEMA bec use e ss g h a n ifa l o o o wih a

1 i a p a c al n ig t e s i nic a d t c nc la c r c ofFEMA' prj cin dd n t 8 t p e l h l g n h ce ti n e h ia c u a y s e f S oe to s i o
l9

20

1Thou h Pl i t fhas conceded t e poi t i has per aps donq s pr m at r l . An A an i f h n ,t h o e u ey

a p a t FEMA at rh s c n pu l ai no i poe to si ap omlen Ic l ws a er p e lo fe t e e o d bi to ft rjci n n r n to a ne p p c s 21 i I i d sol l t chalenges tatFEMA' pr jctons ' r s intialy ort chnialy sit me ey o l h S oe i a e ce ip l f e cl ic re t, 42 U. . . 41 4( ) Furh r or , pr pe a p a t a dltitc ur mu tb n o rc. , S C j O b . t e m e a o r p e l o sr o t s e c 2 z Gif ia, O8 F. p. 27 9 1( . . s . 9 5) Rea d n t Kr m , 41F. p. 87 3 uf d 6 r Sup 9 , 3 S D Mis 1 8 , r o t i 5 . m Sup 1

22 based on a pr perappealt FEMA. Ther f r , he di titcour can gnl r viw an apqeal o o e o e t s rc t ye e

t FEMA t atchal nged t e sci ntfc ort chni alaccur cy ofis pr ec l ns. Ci ofBl xi o h l e h e ii e c a t q to t y l o

1 8 8 ( . m 1 82) Bu,fh r i apop r pp a t FEMA,h ditit our' s o eo 8 - 9 o Ka 9 . titee s r e a e lo te sr c t c p i c s

2 r viw i d fn d i c ap e s v no tl f eo t eU. . e.42 U. . j41 4( ) Secin 4 e e s e ie n h t r e e fie i fh S Cod tv S C. 0 g , t o 7O6sat statt ed'titcour, t e h h I rc s twhenr viwiganagencyacin,d haldegieaIr lvant ee n to ' l d Ie e s
25 EuestonsofI w i t r r t a n e p e constt tonal st t t r pr vii ns, det r l e t em eani g iu i and a u o y o s o and e m n h n 1i ohertiaslyol'hotr so anandn yasiin. 5U.acton,i.Thsrveconcloutsf on r plng it a lh l unl w f la esetacde agency . . 06di g , iwigcsir, mung ap hc b jsh i 'e e m a fu g c t , S Ci fn n e e n u onao d itd o j7 ot i and 26 t be . . bir r c p iiu a a u eo diqe in or t ey ien tnac o d n ewi lw ar ta y a rco s n b s f s rt , o h r s o i c r a c t a o. o h

2 7

(rwi ou ob exa c ol rc dur rqurdb lw , . I. t 7 64) Aditit our o j t t s n e po e e e f y a . . d a j 0 2 h e sr c t c ma rve FEMA' c mpl n ewi a miitaiepo e ur .SeeCou ài V nueL C y e iw S o i c t d nsrt rc d e a h v lm a e tr L
'..

,

2 v Souh Car l a W i le Fe e at n, 2 F.d 29 , 9 -95 ( t Ci. 009)( olig ta 8.t oi n l i d L i 56 3 0 2 4 df o 4h r 2 h dn h t FEMA' f i r t t el p bih I t e Fe er l git rwasha mls ero ) S a l e o i y u l n h d a Re se u m s r e s r r.
12

1 i cl de t e r quied supporig document ton. nu h e r t n ai

2

The sol basi ofan appealt FEMA i t atis pr posed food prj ctons ' r e s o sh t o l oe i ' e a

3 s in ic l o tc nc l ic re t'4 U. . , 41 4( ) d p n a p al .FEMA!s al ce tial r e h ial n o r c . 2 S C j O b . u o p e fy y ' ( hl
4 r vi w and t ke f l i t accountany t chni alorsci ntfc dat subm i ed by t e c m m uni ee a ul no y e c e ii a t t ho t y

5 t att nd t negat orc ntaditt eif r aton uponwhih (t)pr posed det r iaton i he o e o r c h nom i c is o em n i s 6 bas d. / .atj 4104( ) ' ecause s inti and t c nialc rect ess i ofena materof e 'd e.' B ce ic f e h c or n s t t 7 degr e r t ert an abs lt ( x ep wher mat ematc lormeasur menterororchanged e ah h oue e c t eh ia e r 8 phy ialc ndiins can be demonsr t d) appel nt ar r quied t demons r t t at sc o to tae , ls ee r o a tae h
9 aler atve met odsorapplc tons r s l i mor c rectestm at sofbase food el vatons, tn i h ia i e utn e or ie l ei

1 t usdemonsr tngt atFEMA' estm aesar icorec. 44 C. . . 67.( ) Thus, 0h ta i h S i t e n r t' FR j 6a . appeal s

1 mus icu e c dan d t .Se I. tb 6 ,( ) A dititc u h s n j r dit nt r ve 1 t n ld e i a a e ' a 76 b . s r o d a o u i c i o e iw d c so
1 FEM A ' fnal er i aton unl ss appel nt ' 2 S i det m n i e l s appeal o FEM A w aS suppored by sci ntfc or a t t e ii 1 t chni aldocum ent ton. Ci ofsf x/ 6O8 F.Supp.at931, 3e c ai t y ï, o
14 Pl i tf' appealassered sci ntfc and t chni ali accur cy based on i f rordat , a n ifs t e ii e cn a ne i a

1 questonabl met odol gy, mat em atcal measur m ent and t chnialmappi g eror . 5 i e h o and h i, e , e c n rs

1 ( o .t Dim is ( 11 E .4 a 2) d an ap el n b l v s t e p op s d b s f o 6 Mto s s # )x t .' I f p l t ei e h r o e a e l d a e o
1 el vatons ar t chni aly i cor ectdue t a m at em atcal m easur m enter oror c anged 7 ei ee cln r o h i or e r h

1 physi alc ndii ns, hent e specii sour e oft e erormustbe i entfed.Suppodi g dat 8 c o to t h fc c hr d ii n a 1 mustbe f r i hed t FEMA icl di g c fiiatons by a r gi t r d pr f s i nalengi eeror 9 u ns o n u n e tfc i e s e e o e so n
20 l ensed I nd sur eyor oft e new dat nec ssar f r FEM A t c nducta r anal si . 44 i c a v ,h a e yo oo e y s' '

21 C. . .j 67,( )1) FR 6b ( .
22
23

l an appelantbel vest att e pr posed base food el vatonsar t chnial f l i e hho l ei ee c l y i c rect t erori applc ton ofhydr l gi , n o r due o r n ia i o o c hydr ul orot ermet odsor ai c h h
us of i f ror dat i appl i g such m et ods,t e appealm ustdem onstat e ne i an yn h h re t chni ali c r ect ess by: e c nor n

2 4
2 5 2 6
27
28

()Ie tyq te p rore erori tea piat nortqifro daa. i d ni ig h up td r n h p l i f c o h neir t

()Sup odlg wh t e a pia in i ic re to daa i If ro . i l p n y h p l to s n o r c r t s ne ir c (i Pr vdn an a pl a in o t e s me b scme h d uiz d b FEMA b t i) o iig i p i to f h a a i t o s tie y c l u F ih t e changes iem ied. th tz ( )Prviigbq k r u dt c nc l p o tor h c a g sidiat gwh te I o d n c g o n e h ia su p r f t e h n e n c i v n yh
appelants appl aton shoul be accept d as mor corec . l' li c d e e rt

( ) Pr viig cericaton ofcorecness qfany aler at dat utl ed or v o dn tf i i rt t n e a iz i measur ment made ( uch as t pogr phl if r aton) by a r git r d e s s o a c no m i e se e
pr f s i nalengi eerorI ens d I nd sur eyor and o e so n i ea c v ,
1 3

1
2

(i Pr vi ig dqcumentton ofaIlcatonswher t e appel ntsbas food v) o d n ai lo i eh l ' el a
el vatons ar dlf r ntfom FEM A ' . ei e fe e r S

I.a j 67.( )2) d t 6 b( .
3 4 5
6

Pl itf s bm ied an engieersr porw ihisappealhatc nt i sa map showi g t e a n if u t t n 'e ttt t o an nh

ar a wh r Plit f s gredwi Deen a t ' rj cins ( o sDe l( 1 ) 6, C) e s e e ani dia e f t f d n s p oe to , M s c.# 7 $ Ex. , h
Pl i tf al o submit d a s udy t at suggest d FEMA' met odol gy was not t e mos a n if s te t h e S h o h t

ac ur t an me t n d cerc le r r . (J.at1 7 Ex D) Pl it fc nen s tato h r c a e d n i e l ia ro s / o 1 , . , an i o t d h t e f
r l vantevi ence i cont i ed i t e admi itatve r c r ,butPl itf has notdeemed i ee d s an n h ns r i e o d a n if t

7 8

neces ar t ci t such evienc e i i opp siin. ( I' Opp' (/ 3)9:8-20) s yo t o e d n t o to P . s s n /1 1 . 9 Plit# hast ebur enofesabl higaprmaf ieshowigofursditon.TheCoud an i h d t in s i ac n j i ci
m us r sol e con lct i Pl i tf s f vor at t i st ge. Bas d on t e evi ence bef r t e te v fi s n a n ir a hs a e h d oe h

1 0

11 1 2 1 3

Cour,tappear t atPl i tf made a pr perappealt FEMA,suppored by exper r pors ti sh a n if o o t te t

and maps showig t e ar as wher Plitfs prj ctons difr d fom FEMA'. Though nh e e an i r oe i fe e r S

Plitfh snot own tati a p a s t f d e e y ee e to 4 C. . .5 6 .( )t t e a ni a f sh h t p e l a i i v r lm n f 4 F R 7 6 b o h s se

l I ter Def ndant has onl assered t at Pl i t has f ied t m eet t e r quiem en s of 4 et , e y th a ni ; al o her t 15

j 67.( ) W ihoutt ecomplt appealor viw,heCour c nonl gues ast whet eror 6b . t h ee t ee t ta y so h 16 noti mett e r quiement ofj 67. ( ) l such a siuaton,t e Cour i bound t afim t her s 6b . n ti h ts o fr 17 Plitf' ass din ofj rsditon.See Dat Dic,Ic.v Sys.Fech.Assoc . I c,557 F,d an i s e o u i ci f asn . s, n . 2
18
1 9 20
21

1 80, 2 5 ( t Ci. 9 7) 2 1 8 9h r 1 7 .
F. Pl i tf pl d is com pl i tw ih suf i i ntalegatonst st t cl i s upon a n if e t an t fc e l i o ae am w hi h r lefm ay be gr nt d. c ei ae W ihoutgoi g i t unnec ss r det i,Pl i tf' com pl i ts at s a cogni abl cl i t n no e a y a l a n ifs an t e z e am

22 f rr l f l i nota m er r ci ton oft e I galel m ent ofa c use ofac i n. I pr vi es o ei . ts e ee ti a he e s a to t o d 23 sufi i ntnotce t Def ndant oft e gr unds ofPl i tf s cl i s. fc e io e sho a n if a m 24

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I . CoNcuusl N V o

Ac or igl,T I ORDERED tatDef n ant' int Dimis( 1 )I GRANTED c dn y I S h e d s Mot o s s # 1 S o
I PART AND DENI D I PART. N EN I I FURTHER ORDERED t atPl i tf' Fistand Second Causes ofAc i n ar TS h an i s r f to e
D I M I S ED . SS

I I SO ORDERED. TS
D A TE D : s 9t day ofJune,2010. Thi h

UNI ED LT T

r t

o

s DITRIT J DGE SCU

23

25

15