[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 216 (Monday, November 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 60344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29980]
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FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Project Impact: Building Disaster Resistant Communities
AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
ACTION: Notice of Funds and Grant Availability.
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SUMMARY: FEMA gives notice of the availability of $30 million of
appropriated grant funds to Project Impact communities and States with
Project Impact communities.
DATES: Grant funds are available as of November 9, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Approved communities and States with approved Project Impact
communities that have not already received grant application materials
should contact: Sylvia Carroll, Federal Emergency Management Agency,
500 C Street, SW., room 350, Washington, DC 20472, 202-646-3503 or
(email) sylvia.carroll@fema.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Transou, Federal Emergency
Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW., room 402, Washington, DC 20472,
(202) 646-3701, (telefax)(202) 646-3231, or (email)
carol.transou@fema.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under Public Law 105-65, 111 Stat. 1376,
Department of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development and
Independent Agencies Appropriation Act, 1998, we are issuing today a
Request for Applications (RFA) to implement a $30 million grant program
that is limited to Project Impact communities and to States with
Project Impact communities.
Community Grants
The community grant is available to designated Project Impact
communities to facilitate the development and implementation of a
comprehensive, long-term mitigation strategy through collaboration with
private sector and non-profit organizations, and with local, State and
Federal government partners. Within this framework, the community grant
is to fund prevention projects that result in long-term reductions in
property damage as well as contribute to the sustainability of the
partnership.
State Grants
The State grant is available to States with a Project Impact
community through the FEMA Performance Partnership Agreement/
Cooperative Agreement process for activities that directly support
Project Impact communities.
Who Is Eligible for Grants?
The community which a State has designated, with FEMA concurrence,
as a Project Impact community is eligible for a community grant. Each
State with a Project Impact community is eligible for a state grant.
What Are Mitigation Measures?
Mitigation measures generally are those projects and actions that
reduce the potential losses to life and property from natural hazard
events in a permanent or long-term manner. Communities shall categorize
mitigation projects as: mitigation for existing structures; or
mitigation of existing utility facilities or systems that are publicly
owned and operated on a non-profit basis. Communities shall categorize
measures to support mitigation goals as: (1) Adoption of policies or
practices for mitigation in existing structures, new development, or
redevelopment; (2) Activities that help build or sustain public/private
partnerships; (3) Hazard identification and risk assessment; (4) Hazard
mitigation planning and development of codes and standards; and (5)
Personnel support.
What Is the Process for Applying?
For designated community assistance, communities must submit a
grant application package to FEMA. FEMA regions will work with the
communities to complete this application package. The community shall
submit the application to the FEMA Regional Director by November 6,
1998. The Regional Director or his/her designee can grant an extension
of up to 90 days upon receipt of a written justification/request from
the community.
For State funding assistance, the State with a Project Impact
community must submit a letter or memorandum to the Regional Director
indicating its desire for funds to support the Project Impact community
and its agreement to convene State-wide support for comprehensive
mitigation.
What Criteria Will FEMA Apply to Grant Applications?
For a designated community, we will review and negotiate with the
local jurisdiction to determine whether the proposed activities would:
(1) reduce the likelihood of future disaster costs under the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, and (2) help
sustain the community's momentum in broad-based mitigation efforts.
Activities the community may pursue are described in the previous
section entitled ``What are Mitigation Measures.''
A State with a Project Impact community must agree to use the funds
in direct support of the Project Impact community and to convene
statewide support for comprehensive hazard mitigation. For example, a
State may use the FEMA funding to support Project Impact communities:
To fund State activities in direct support of Project
Impact communities such as costs associated with logistics and
meetings, staff support, and travel costs to meetings with the
community or to FEMA Project Impact meetings;
To fund training costs, including to train State officials
supporting Project Impact and to develop training packages for State
and local officials;
To provide mini-grants to Project Impact communities to
augment or expedite Project Impact activities;
To fund travel of local community officials to other
communities, State meetings or national conferences at State request to
share Project Impact information;
To fund State costs in information development and
dissemination to support Project Impact;
To fund expert, short-term technical assistance support to
Project Impact communities.
Dated: October 29, 1998.
Michael J. Armstrong,
Associate Director, Mitigation Directorate.
[FR Doc. 98-29980 Filed 11-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-04-P
