Homeland Security Releases Grant Funds For Pre-Disaster Mitigation Planning And Preparedness
Jersey Village and Harris County Flood Control Receive Over $4 Million for Acquisition and Elevation Projects
Release Date: May 17, 2004
Release Number: R6-04-049
DENTON, Texas -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced today the release of over $4 million in Pre-Disaster Mitigation Competitive (PDM-C) Grant Program funds to Texas for pre-disaster mitigation activities. The grant program is a Presidential initiative, administered by Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for pre-disaster mitigation planning and projects primarily addressing natural hazards.
“President Bush recognizes the great importance that mitigation is an essential step in reducing the loss of life and property to natural disasters,” said Brown. “States and localities are critical leaders in disaster reduction, and the Department of Homeland Security is committed to providing our partners with the tools they need to be prepared.”
The announcement of the PDM-C grant awards includes nearly $2.6 million to the Harris County Flood Control District to acquire homes in the City of Houston and Harris County that are within the 100-year floodplain. In the past decade, FEMA has awarded $131 million in mitigation funds to purchase more than 2,400 flood-prone properties in the greater Houston area. Today’s announcement also includes $1.5 million for the City of Jersey Village. The City will use the funds to elevate 14 homes above the 100-year flood level. Since Tropical Storm Allison struck Houston in June 2001, FEMA has also invested more than $200 million in flood protection efforts at the Texas Medical Center and other Houston hospitals.
The fiscal year 2003 budget provided $150 million under the National Pre-Disaster Mitigation Fund to initiate a competitive grant program for pre-disaster mitigation activities, and has moved forward since Congress reauthorized the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program this past January. The intent of the PDM-C grant program is to provide a consistent source of funding to state, tribal, and local governments for pre-disaster mitigation planning and projects. Funding these plans and projects reduces overall risks to the population and structures, while also reducing reliance on funding from actual disaster declarations.
States, territories, tribes, and local governments submitted over 450-mitigation project and planning sub-applications for consideration under the PDM-C grant program. To fulfill the competitive requirements of the program and to select the most cost-effective applications, all applications were reviewed for their eligibility and completeness, and then ranked and evaluated by a competitive national evaluation panel. The national evaluation process was rigorous in design and implementation, ensuring that all applications competed fairly and that the most cost-effective applications were recommended for selection.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Thursday, 27-May-2004 14:09:32