Environmental/Historic Preservation Review Fact Sheet

What is the Pre-Disaster Mitigation program?

FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program will provide funds to states, territories, Indian tribes, communities for hazard mitigation planning and the implementation of mitigation projects prior to a disaster event. The PDM program provides a significant opportunity to raise risk awareness and reduces the nation's disaster losses through pre-disaster mitigation planning and the implementation of cost-effective mitigation measures.  The PDM program was authorized by Section 203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief Act (Stafford Act), 42 U.S.C. 5133 to assist states and communities to implement a sustained pre-disaster natural hazard mitigation program to reduce overall risk to the population and structures, while also reducing reliance on Federal funding from actual disaster declarations.

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Why would a PDM applicant contact my agency?

FEMA requires that applications contain basic information that can be used for a preliminary environmental and historic preservation review of the proposed project to ensure that the applicant is aware of the environmental and historic preservation responsibility that comes along with receiving Federal funding.  For example, the application should contain information about potential historic properties in the project area, information regarding the potential for threatened or endangered species to exist in the project area, and information on the project's consistency with the state coastal zone management plan.  Many applicants do not have the technical knowledge or resources to provide this data and may contact your agency for assistance in gathering resource or regulatory information.  Without your agency's assistance, an applicant may not be able to provide this information or may provide erroneous information. The objective is for the applicant to gather relevant information and not to enter into any type of consultation.  There is no Federal nexus until the application is selected for funding.

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Why should my agency assist a PDM applicant?

Applications that do not contain the minimum required information will be considered incomplete and, thus, deemed ineligible for FEMA funding.  Further, the PDM program is a competitive program.  Therefore, applications that contain inadequate information may not be able to compete with more complete applications for available funding. Assisting an applicant by providing the requested information will ensure that the application is not deemed ineligible for incompleteness and will help the application compete with other applications. 

Responding to an applicant may also help the applicant refine the project's design or location to avoid or minimize impacts to resources that might otherwise be adversely effected.  Not only will this protect the resource, but it will also reduce the required level of your agency's eventual review and consultation.  Finally, providing the applicant with the requested information will expedite the actual environmental and historic preservation compliance process that FEMA must complete before final approval and funding of the project.

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What can my agency do to assist a PDM applicant and FEMA?

First, consider designating a PDM point of contact.  This person should be someone within your agency who is responsible for Federal regulatory compliance and has some experience reviewing FEMA-funded projects or programs.  Please notify FEMA's Regional Environmental Officer (http://www.fema.fema.gov/ehp/contacts.shtm) or your agency's PDM point of contact.  When an applicant contacts your agency for information in support of a PDM application, try to provide the requested information in a timely manner.  If your agency is unable to provide the information, contact the applicant to convey the resources required to comply with the request.  As stated earlier, the objective is for the applicant to gather relevant information and not to enter into any type of consultation.

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When does a PDM applicant need this information?

Applications must be submitted to FEMA by the application deadline, and will usually require several weeks of state-level review prior to that. Therefore, applicants will need your timely response to be able to incorporate the information into their applications. Following the competitive  evaluation process, successful applications will be identified for award.  FEMA will then begin the environmental and historic preservation reviews of successful subgrant applications.  If appropriate, FEMA will contact your agency at that time to tier the information, and if appropriate, initiate official consultation for the successful subgrant applications.

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Where can I get more information on PDM?

Information on the PDM program can be found on the PDM web page: http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pdm/index.shtm. The PDM web page provides an overview of the program and links to program details. FEMA has prepared an Environmental/Historic Preservation Guidance for Grant Applicants, which can be found at http://www.fema.gov/plan/ehp/ehp-applicant-help.shtm. Alternatively, you may contact the FEMA Regional Environmental Officer.

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Last Modified: Monday, 03-Mar-2008 17:15:19 EST