Florida Keys local governments have begun formulating their appeals to proposed changes to federal flood insurance maps, which could significantly increase insurance rates for local property owners once implemented later this year. The Federal Emergency Management Agency published its notice in the Federal Register seeking comment and information regarding the preliminary coastal flood maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps or FIRMs. Monroe County government, the cities of Key West and Marathon and the Keys-based Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe (also known as FIRM) have begun working on appealing the propose map changes. The 90-day appeal window opens March 18, Assistant County Administrator Christine Hurley said.