(1) Acquisition and relocation of structures from hazard-prone areas; (2) strengthening structures against flood, high winds, wildfire, or other hazards to protect structures from future damages; (3) elevating structures; (4) developing State or local standards to protect new and substantially improved structures from disaster damage; (5) Drainage improvement projects; and (6) vegetation management projects.
The Department of Homeland Security has three primary missions: Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism and minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters.
In prior fiscal years the program has funded over $1.1 billion in mitigation projects.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Assistance can be used for the acquisition of real property, relocation, demolition of structures, seismic rehabilitation or retrofitting of existing structures; strengthening of existing structures, initial implementation of vegetation management programs, initial training of architects, engineers, building officials, and other professionals to facilitate the implementation of newly adopted State or local mitigation standards and codes; elevation of residential structures; elevation or dry flood- proofing of non-residential structures in accordance with 44 CFR 60.3, and other activities that bring a structure into compliance with the floodplain management requirements at 44 CFR 60.3, et al.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State agencies, local governments, public entities, private nonprofit organizations as defined in 44 CFR Section 206.433, Native American Tribes or authorized tribal organizations, and Alaskan Native villages or organizations, but not Alaskan native corporations with ownership vested in private individuals.
States may elect to become Managing States.
Managing States are delegated more authority in managing the HMGP.
In order to be selected as a Managing State, the State must demonstrate the ability to manage the grant program, must have in effect an approved Enhanced mitigation plan and have a demonstrated commitment to mitigation activities.
Beneficiary Eligibility
States and communities.
Credentials/Documentation
Administrative and State, Tribal and Local Multihazard Mitigation Plans (Standard or Enhanced) must be Approved and reviewed by FEMA before funding can be awarded under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Rather than require applicants to submit a separate preapplication in order for FEMA and the State to identify the need for assistance, FEMA will employ the administrative and Mitigation plans in this manner.
When States submit plans for review and indicate their intention to apply for assistance to implement one or more projects described in it, FEMA will use the plan to identify a need for funding assistance, and to discourage applications that are unlikely to be funded.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Application deadline and other information are contained in the application/program guidance.
Award Procedures
Applications or plans are reviewed by DHS program and administrative staff. Any issues or concerns noted in the application will be negotiated with the successful applicant prior to the award being issued.
Deadlines
Refer to announcement or application guidance for further information.
Authorization
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Section 404, 42 U.S.C. 5170c.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Refer to program guidance document.
Appeals
An eligible applicant, subgrantee, or State may appeal any determination previously made related to an application for or the provision of Federal assistance according to procedures set forth in Section 206.440.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
FEMA can fund up to 75 percent of the eligible costs of each project. The State or project applicant must provide a 25 percent match. The 25 percent nonfederal share can be a combination of cash, in-kind services, or materials. The amount of funding for the Program is based on 15 percent of all other disaster grants. States that meet planning requirements to be published as a result of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, may receive an increased percentage (20 percent of all other disaster grants) of HMGP funds if, at the time of the declaration of a major disaster they have in effect an approved Enhanced State Mitigation Plan.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Refer to program guidance. Awards are subject to the Cash Management Improvement Act for payment and/or reimbursement of expenditures.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Grantees are required to submit quarterly financial and performance reports.
Quarterly Progress Reports must include the progress of each sub-grant award.
Reports are due 30 days after the end of each quarter: January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30.
Final financial and performance reports are due 90 days after the expiration or termination of grant award.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards (or receive property, or a combination of both, within the fiscal year) will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular A-133. These audits are due to the cognizant Federal agency, submitted through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, not later than 9 months after the end of the grantees fiscal year.
Records
Grant records shall be retained for a period of 3 years from the day the recipient submits its final expenditure report. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving the records has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later. Grant records include financial and program/progress reports, support documents, statistical records, and other documents that support the activity and/or expenditure of the recipient or sub-recipient under the award. FEMA is required to track the use of real property acquired with grant funds in order to ensure that the property is maintained for open space in perpetuity. Sub-grantees and State will need to retain real estate transaction and property tracking records indefinitely.
Financial Information
Account Identification
70-0700-0-1-999.
Obigations
(Grants) FY 07 est not available; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Refer to program guidance.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
44 CFR Subpart N Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Sections 206.430-206.440; Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 93-288, as amended; Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Desk Reference FEMA 345 October 1999, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, L-169, February 1996. Property acquisition handbook, FEMA-317.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a listing of FEMA's Regional Offices.
Headquarters Office
Department of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane Bldg. #410, Washington, DC 20528.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Refer to the program guidance for information on criteria for selecting proposals.
Vandana Shiva, a scientist and environmentalist known for her activism against GMOs, globalization, and patents on seeds and traditional foods, co-founded Navdanya.