Hazard Mitigation Grant (97.039)
Program
97.039 Hazard Mitigation Grant
Federal Agency
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Authorization
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Section 404, 42 U.S.C. 5170c.
Program Number
97.039
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To provide States and local governments financial assistance to implement measures that will permanently reduce or eliminate future damages and losses from natural hazards through safer building practices and improving existing structures and supporting infrastructure.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Assistance can be used for the acquisition of real property, relocation, demolition of structures, seismic rehabilitation or retrofitting of existing structures; strengthening of existing structures, initial implementation of vegetation management programs, initial training of architects, engineers, building officials, and other professionals to facilitate the implementation of newly adopted State or local mitigation standards and codes; elevation of residential structures; elevation or dry flood- proofing of non-residential structures in accordance with 44 CFR 60.3, and other activities that bring a structure into compliance with the floodplain management requirements at 44 CFR 60.3, et al.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State agencies, local governments, public entities, private nonprofit organizations as defined in 44 CFR Section 206.433, Native American Tribes or authorized tribal organizations, and Alaskan Native villages or organizations, but not Alaskan native corporations with ownership vested in private individuals. States may elect to become Managing States. Managing States are delegated more authority in managing the HMGP. In order to be selected as a Managing State, the State must demonstrate the ability to manage the grant program, must have in effect an approved Enhanced mitigation plan and have a demonstrated commitment to mitigation activities.
Beneficiary Eligibility
States and communities.
Credentials/Documentation
Administrative and State, Tribal and Local Multihazard Mitigation Plans (Standard or Enhanced) must be Approved and reviewed by FEMA before funding can be awarded under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Rather than require applicants to submit a separate preapplication in order for FEMA and the State to identify the need for assistance, FEMA will employ the administrative and Mitigation plans in this manner. When States submit plans for review and indicate their intention to apply for assistance to implement one or more projects described in it, FEMA will use the plan to identify a need for funding assistance, and to discourage applications that are unlikely to be funded. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
The State solicits, reviews, prioritizes and selects applications from the community for funding then forwards the applications to FEMA for review. FEMA reviews each project application to ensure projects meet environmental regulations and minimum eligibility requirements. In addition to a State Administrative Plan, and a State Mitigation Plan, the forms required are: SF-424 fact sheet, and a project narrative and description. The Managing State submits a funding request to the Regional Director after the application review. The Managing State will also submit a certification that the State has evaluated the projects and that they meet all HMGP eligibility criteria. All States may prescribe forms.
Award Procedure
FEMA will notify the State in writing of the awards. Funds are posted in the SmartLink system. The State awards all subgrants.
Deadlines
Contact Headquarters Office listed below for deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
An eligible applicant, subgrantee, or State may appeal any determination previously made related to an application for or the provision of Federal assistance according to procedures set forth in Section 206.440.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
FEMA can fund up to 75 percent of the eligible costs of each project. The State or project applicant must provide a 25 percent match. The 25 percent nonfederal share can be a combination of cash, in-kind services, or materials. The amount of funding for the Program is based on 15 percent of all other disaster grants. States that meet planning requirements to be published as a result of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, may receive an increased percentage (20 percent of all other disaster grants) of HMGP funds if, at the time of the declaration of a major disaster they have in effect an approved Enhanced State Mitigation Plan.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Program funds are to be obligated within 2 years after the disaster declaration. States are to agree on project completion deadlines with subgrantees on a project-by- project basis in the grant agreement.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Each quarter the State completes and submits a financial status report, to report outlays for all approved projects. Also, the State will submit a performance report due quarterly to report on the implementation schedule, any delays, projected overruns, and problems encountered.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have an audit made for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards is exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Records are not kept over 3 years. However, FEMA is required to track the use of real property acquired with grant funds in order to ensure that the property is maintained for open space in perpetuity. Subgrantees and State will need to retain real estate transaction and property tracking records indefinitely. FEMA is developing a computerized database to ease this burden.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2001, the program funded over $260 million in mitigation projects.
Financial Information
Account Identification
70-0700-0-1-999.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $64,635,050; FY 03 est $379,311,015; and FY 04 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not separately identifiable.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
44 CFR Subpart N - Hazard Mitigation Grant Program - Sections 206.430-206.440; Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 93-288, as amended; Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Desk Reference FEMA 345 October 1999, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, L-169, February 1996. Property acquisition handbook, FEMA-317.
Related Programs
97.029, Flood Mitigation Assistance.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a listing of FEMA's Regional Offices.
Headquarters Office
Department of Homeland Security 245 Murray Drive, SW., Washington, DC 20528. Telephone: (202) 282-8000.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
(1) Acquisition and relocation of structures from hazard-prone areas; (2) strengthening structures against flood, high winds, wildfire, or other hazards to protect structures from future damages; (3) elevating structures; (4) developing State or local standards to protect new and substantially improved structures from disaster damage; (5) Drainage improvement projects; and (6) vegetation management projects.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
It is the State's responsibility to identify and select hazard mitigation projects. The State will establish procedures and priorities for the selection of mitigation measures. At a minimum the criteria must be consistent with the criteria stated in 44 CFR 206.434(b) and include those in 206.435(b)(1)(2)(3)(c). After the State reviews the applications they are forwarded to FEMA for final review.
