State And Federal Assistance Provided For Hazard Mitigation Planning In East Baton Rouge Parish
Release Date: October 4, 2007
Release Number: 1603-727
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- Today the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA), the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced approval of $112,500 for East Baton Rouge Parish to update its existing hazard mitigation plan.
"Hazard mitigation plans provide a long-term strategy for reducing losses from disasters, so it's especially important in Louisiana that parishes proactively plan to develop comprehensive mitigation strategies," said LRA Board Member Tim Coulon. "This is a top recovery priority at every level-local, state and federal-so we are thrilled to announce that East Baton Rouge Parish will be receiving more than $100,000 to update its existing plan. More than a year ago, we set aside Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to support projects such as this that will enhance overall protection and help reduce our risk from future storms."
Grant money to update hazard mitigation plans comes from FEMA's Expanded Mitigation Strategies Planning Grant Pilot. This program allows jurisdictions with FEMA-approved local hazard mitigation plans in place by Oct. 29, 2006, to apply for up to $150,000 to update their local mitigation plans.
East Baton Rouge Parish has earmarked funding to amend its current plan and scope out several hazard mitigation projects. The scoping process will enable the parish to identify any new hazards with consideration to projects related to hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
"Updating its existing hazard mitigation plan allows East Baton Rouge Parish the opportunity to reevaluate its existing plan and identify additional measures to better protect property and reduce future financial losses," said Jim Stark, FEMA's director of the Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office.
The HMGP provides grants to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration, to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster.
The LRA authorized the release of $250 million to help parishes prevent damage from future disasters in November 2005. In accordance with the State Hazard Mitigation Program, LRA directed GOHSEP to distribute the first hazard mitigation funding available after hurricanes Katrina and Rita to parish governments. To access hazard mitigation funds through the state HMGP program, parishes submit proposals to GOHSEP. The funds, which are provided under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, require a 25 percent match from parish governments or state agencies.
Projects eligible for HMGP funds include structure elevation, wind retrofitting of facilities, property acquisition, planning, mitigated reconstruction and safe room installation. Projects must fit within the state's and local governments' overall mitigation strategy and comply with HMGP guidelines.
When projects are obligated by FEMA through HMGP, the funds are transferred to a Smartlink account. This allows the grantee, GOHSEP, to draw down the funds as quickly as possible. The state may require additional information from the subgrantee before disbursing the funds.
In addition to this HMGP program, more than $1 billion in hazard mitigation funds will also be made available through GOHSEP to homeowners who have applied to the Road Home program. The state is seeking approval of this elevation funding from FEMA. When the state's application to distribute HMGP funds through the Road Home program is approved, homeowners will be contacted by The Road Home program with information regarding the next step.
A congressionally mandated study conducted for FEMA revealed that mitigation saves society an average of $4 for every dollar spent. Such defensive, preventative mitigation measures learned and implemented by Louisianians will contribute to a national floodplain management plan that saves taxpayers an estimated $1.1 billion per year by preventing flood damages.
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: Thursday, 04-Oct-2007 10:11:28