FEMA administers three Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs that provide funding for eligible mitigation projects. Eligible mitigation projects under FEMA policy are those that reduce disaster losses and protect life and property from future natural disaster-related damages. These programs are the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program.
The PDM Program funds projects every year, whereas funding under the HMGP and FMA are tied to Presidential disaster declarations or buildings insured under the National Flood Insurance Program, respectively. For fiscal year 2016, the PDM Program will distribute $90 million in grants to state, local and tribal governments. Each state and territory will receive $575,000. In addition, nearly $49 million will be distributed on a competitive basis to all eligible applicants. Local governments are eligible to sponsor applications that are then forwarded to their states. States then submit applications to FEMA.
For FY 2016, FEMA will prioritize the $49 million available on a competitive basis first to projects that are Climate Resilient Mitigation Activities (CRMA). CRMA eligible for PDM funding are aquifer storage and recovery, floodwater storage, diversion and recovery and floodplain and stream restoration. Second priority projects for PDM competitive funding are non-flood hazard mitigation projects (e.g., seismic and wildfire mitigation projects) and non-reconstruction or elevation flood mitigation projects such as stormwater management measures. The application deadline for the PDM Program is June 15.
Additional information about FEMA’s HMA programs, including contact information for FEMA staff, is available in a presentation from an April 27, 2016 meeting that AMWA attended and on FEMA’s website.