FEMA Approves $1.1 Million In Grants For Lycoming County 

Structures damaged during Tropical Depression Ivan to receive funding

Release Date: August 17, 2006
Release Number: R3-06-015

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the approval of a grant totaling more than $1.1 million for Lycoming County to acquire and demolish 18 residential structures located in floodplains. The grant is administered through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).

"By acquiring and demolishing these homes, we are diminishing the community's vulnerability to future natural disasters and removing residents from potentially dangerous areas," said Patricia G. Arcuri, Acting Regional Director for FEMA Region III.

FEMA will pay $1,119,573 - 75 percent of the project costs, which total $1,492,764.  The state or local officials will pay the remaining 25 percent. 

The following municipalities will benefit from this award: 

Under the HMGP, FEMA acquires at-risk properties so the former owners can afford to move to safer locations.  In a property acquisition project, the community buys private property, acquires the title and then clears it.  By law, that property is now public property and must forever remain open space. 

Funding is only available to applicants that reside within a Presidentially declared disaster area.  The process is locally driven.  Property owners interested in taking steps to reduce risks from future disasters express their interest to their municipal or county officials.  If these officials decide to apply for an HMGP grant, they develop a proposal and submit it to the state. 

After the state selects the proposals that meet its criteria, FEMA reviews those selections to make sure they are cost effective and in compliance with federal law.  If the proposals comply with these guidelines, FEMA releases the funds to the state.  FEMA is not involved in the application process nor does it select the projects.

Additional HMGP information is available at www.fema.gov/government/grant/hmgp/index.shtm.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Friday, 18-Aug-2006 13:20:35