FEMA to Re-Evaluate Mitigation Grant Eligibility for Louisiana and Mississippi Property Owners
Release Date: October 17, 2007
Release Number: HQ-07-204
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In an effort to recognize and acknowledge the mitigation value from Louisiana and Mississippi property owners who have taken the initiative to rebuild safer, stronger and smarter in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that it is developing procedures to provide post-disaster hazard mitigation grants where mitigation work has already begun or been completed. FEMA is developing a process to determine what projects might be considered eligible for grant awards, consistent with purposes of mitigation and the special exception received. The exception benefits the state as it would allow the costs of such actions to count towards the state's contribution under the post-disaster mitigation grant program, and benefits property owners as well who in some cases, might receive partial reimbursement.
"Given the extraordinary damage Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused, FEMA believes that actions taken by property owners to mitigate future damage to their property should be considered for FEMA mitigation grants even though work was performed before project funding was approved," said FEMA Administrator David Paulison. "FEMA is coordinating with our federal partners to determine what mitigation actions will be eligible for grant consideration."
In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the ability of state and local governments in Louisiana and Mississippi to coordinate with property owners and implement the federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) within regular timeframes was greatly inhibited.
"This is an unprecedented step," Paulison said. "We must work together -- federal, state and local governments, as well as citizens -- to develop creative solutions to meet these kinds of challenges, while complying with the law, ensuring wise use of tax dollars, and helping communities build back safer than they were before."
In the coming weeks, FEMA will determine what types of mitigation actions may be considered under the limited exception, and finalize procedures for allowing participation in the HMGP program for many of those who have already begun or completed mitigation work on their properties damaged from these hurricanes. This includes ensuring that any action retroactively considered for assistance complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
"We are also working to develop streamlined procedures to expedite the consideration of the legal requirements that support this new process," said David Maurstad, head of FEMA's Mitigation Directorate. "For example, to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), FEMA staff is working on an expedited Environmental Assessment which will be available for public comment later this week. Likewise, other HMGP requirements, as spelled out in the Stafford Act, other laws, and our regulations, must still be met even for retroactive applications."
Maurstad also said that states play vital roles in making the post-disaster HMGP work. States, he noted, must prioritize properties and mitigation activities, and submit eligible, cost-effective applications to FEMA for review.
"Property owners do not apply for HMGP funds directly to FEMA, but work through states or other eligible entities that make application to mitigate their structures. All applications must be assessed to determine if they meet federal requirements, although FEMA will work with the states to streamline the review process in every way possible," Maurstad said.
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: Friday, 19-Oct-2007 15:40:46