(a) If a community appeals the proposed flood elevation determination, the Federal Insurance Administrator shall review and take fully into account any technical or scientific data submitted by the community that tend to negate or contradict the information upon which his/her proposed determination is based.

(b) The Federal Insurance Administrator shall resolve such appeal by consultation with officials of the local government, or by administrative hearings under the procedures set forth in part 68 of this subchapter, or by submission of the conflicting data to an independent scientific body or appropriate Federal agency for advice.

(c) The final determination by the Federal Insurance Administrator where an appeal is filed shall be made within a reasonable time.

(d) Nothing in this section shall be considered to compromise an appellant's rights granted under § 67.12.

(e) The Federal Insurance Administrator shall make available for public inspection the reports and other information used in making the final determination. This material shall be admissible in a court of law in the event the community seeks judicial review in accordance with § 67.12.