WHAT’S NEW IN MITIGATION

Texas Department of Public Safety

DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

WHAT’S NEW IN

MITIGATION

BIG CHANGES in the FEMA HMA Grant

Programs



Biggert-Waters Reducing insurance subsidies on National Floodplain Insurance Program (NFIP) policies with higher risks

Combine SRL and RFC grant programs into FMA

For HMGP - Only projects in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) require NFIP participation – no change



Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 (SRIA)

Signed by the President in January 2013

Designed to speed up, streamline, and reduce the cost of Federal disaster recovery programs.



• Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households

• Public Assistance• Hazard Mitigation• Fire Management Assistance

Grants (FMAGs)

Disaster Relief Fund (DRF)Provides Funding For FEMA:



FEMA & State Mitigation Grant Programs

FY 2014Flood

Protection Planning

Flood Mitigation Assistance

Texas Water Developmen

tBoard

Texas Division of EmergencyManagemen

t

Pre-Disaster

Mitigation

Hazard Mitigation

Grant Program

FLOOD GRANTS

ALL HAZARD GRANTS



Congressional Focus

1. Financial Responsibility2. Expedite Program Activity3. Idle funding4. Controversial Projects 5. Justification of the

Program



CONGRESSIONAL ISSUES AND FEMA ISSUES –

ARE YOUR ISSUESBECAUSE….

YOUR FUNDING DEPENDS ON FEMA APPROVAL!!!



FACT - Disasters are becoming more frequent and costly

1. 2011 – 99 presidential, 29 emergency (47 states), 114 F-MAG’s – $7.5 billion

2. 2012 – Sandy alone – 11 states – over $2.2 billion so far

3. Money is tight and must address this demand



Congressional Direction to FEMA

Here is the money this time --- BUT - FOCUS ON OUR ISSUES



FEMA GOT BUSY

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New FEMA Attitude

JUSTIFY THE PROGRAM TO CONGRESS



1. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

FEMA DEVELOPS A MONETARY CONTROL PROCESS –

STRATEGIC FUNDS MANAGEMENT (SFM)



Monthly estimate of required funding planned a year in advance for:

•New grant approvals

• Cost overruns

NOTE: the spend plan also provides funding obligations in smaller increments on LARGER projects

SFM TOOL FEMA SPEND PLAN



THE FEMA SPEND PLAN

FEMA National is already requiring justification for failure to meet the monthly spend plan



1. The Federal fiscal year begins in

October

2. DRF – Immediate Needs Funding (INF) Emergency operations only

SPEND PLAN IMPACTS



Project application budgets:• Estimate OUT - documentation is in –

EXPECT HIGHER SCRUTINY• Vocabulary matters!!!!• Application continuity• More specific Pre-Award breakdowns • Cost overruns more difficult

COST BREAKDOWN REVIEW



1.Money on the street faster

2.Shorten the review process

3.Shorter Period of Performance

2. CONGRESS WANTS EXPEDITED PROGRAM

ACTIVITIES



NEW RFI GUIDANCE

FEMA RFI Deadlines:

• Mitigation specialist – 30 day• Branch Chief – 15 day• Regional Administrator – 30 day• Denial -> Appeal



• Complete well documented applications• Higher level of sub-recipient monitoring on POP• Closer monitoring of approved cost line items

SUB-APPLICANT ACTIVITIES



• FY 2011 FEMA began an aggressive recovery of “idle” funds

• Be prepared to implement your project or loose your funding

• Faster closeouts of old disasters

3. IDLE FUNDING



• Protect Congress from black-eyes

• Updates to FEMA 361

• The most restrictive interpretation of regulation and guidance

• Additional OMB review at LPN

4. Controversy



5. Justification

FEMA wants proof that all projects are effective in every way

Congress wants program justification



Every number and statement must have acceptable supporting documentation!

Justification



HMGP Generator Changes

• Stand alone REGULAR projects if protecting a critical facility

• Portable generators become eligible under 5% (HMGP only)



Planning Grant Changes

Mitigation Planning Grants:

• Mitigation Plan

• Related planning activities



BCA

• FEMA module

• Standard values • Benefit cost analysis now

allows aggregated benefits from multiple activities and hazards.



Engineering Changes

Streamlining – engineering designs certified by Registered Professional Engineers as meeting an identified code satisfy engineering and technical feasibility issues



Acquisition Changes

• Ineligible projects now include the acquisition of unimproved land

• CBRA and OPA are now eligible in HMGP

• BCA’s of .75 can now add environmental and riparian benefits

• Pre-market or current market value at applicants discretion



POP Changes

This is HUGE!

FEMA can set POP for annual grants (2013 PDM – 24 months)

HMGP is 36 months from application deadline



SUMMARY

BIG changes in:•Program intensity•Project quality•Documentation•Timelines•Funding oversight



TDEM + TWDB + sub-applicant + FEMA

must become a TEAM to be successful!



QUESTIONS?

Hildy SoperTexas Division of Emergency ManagementMitigation Officer(512) [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Date post:	31-Dec-2015
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WHAT’S NEW IN MITIGATION

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