Funding Changes To Mitigation Program
Release Date: March 4, 2008
Release Number: 1604-633
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BILOXI, Miss. -- Recent legislation will allow changes in the amount of funding available through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
The previous allocation of $433 million for HMGP funds was reduced by $20 million due to a rescission in the recently enacted appropriations bill cited as the "Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008."
The $20 million will be available as a grant for the State of Mississippi to use for a new interoperable communications system required in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The system will ensure critical personnel have effective communications services available in emergency situations.
More than $413 million in HMGP funds is available and will be allocated for various projects including structure elevation, wind retrofitting of facilities, property acquisition, planning, mitigated reconstruction, and safe room installation. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) administers the program and identifies and manages approved projects from beginning to closeout.
Projects must fit within the state's and local governments' overall mitigation strategy and comply with HMGP guidelines. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds the HMGP.
The objectives of the HMGP are to reduce or eliminate future risk to lives and property from all hazards, provide funds to implement projects previously identified in state or local hazard mitigation plans, and enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 04-Mar-2008 13:33:09