Hi Fireshed Community,
As temperatures continue to drop, and we head into Winter, it is a great time to do some planning for next year. Winter offers us some time to get proactive by planning wildfire adaptation projects and applying for funding to support this work. With that in mind, this edition of Wildfire Wednesdays shares some information about the well-funded grants that are administered through FEMA.
This Wildfire Wednesdays shares information on:
The variety of FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants
The process for applying to FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants
Eligibility requirements for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants
Resources for learning more about FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants
Best,
Gabe
Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants
The Department of Homeland Security’s FEMA HMA programs present a critical opportunity to reduce the risk to communities from natural hazards while simultaneously reducing reliance on Federal disaster recovery funds. The HMA program includes three grant types for qualifying mitigation activities, especially those that mitigate flood risk in areas that previously experienced losses and help prevent future damages. Within the HMA program, the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program will be receiving a substantial increase in available funding that can support wildfire mitigation projects.
FEMA offers both pre- and post-disaster funding opportunities. Pre-disaster mitigation opportunities allow communities to plan for future disasters and enjoy the benefits of achieving a more resilient landscape before a natural disaster strikes. Post-disaster mitigation opportunities allow communities to take advantage of larger pots of funding that may become available in the aftermath of a federally-declared disaster.
Non-disaster/annual grants
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
Disaster grants
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program – Post fire
From The Nature Conservancy’s report: “Promoting Nature-Based Hazard Mitigation through FEMA Mitigation Grants.
“Natural Hazard Mitigation – any sustainable action that reduces or eliminates long-term risk to people and property from future natural disasters.”
Two types of activities within Hazard Mitigation Assistance:
Planning – breaks the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage
Projects – are long-term solutions that reduce the impact of disasters in the future
These grants require substantial administrative capacity and provide additional funding (up to 10%) to support this workload. There is funding within the HMA grant program to support project scoping in the years leading up to an application.
How to Begin the Application Process
In state of New Mexico FEMA funds pass through the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) as sub-grants. Because of this, it is important to have early communication with the State Hazard Mitigation Officer, and the state agency’s grants team, to develop consensus on project approach.
State Hazard Mitigation Officer and Unit Manager: Chelsea Morganti, chelsea.morganti@state.nm.us
You will want to reach out to the State Hazard Mitigation Officer before August because a Notice of Interest are typically due in early October for the annual programs (BRIC and FMA). Although this deadline is a ways out, get started with project planning early and make sure that you are working with an entity with a current FEMA Hazard Mitigation Plan. A hazard mitigation plan for the applicant or sub applicant is essential to all HMA programs.
Eligibility
Talk to the State Hazard Mitigation Officer early to discuss eligibility. In general, a current FEMA Hazard Mitigation Plan for the project area is a core requirement. Many county governments have FEMA Hazard Mitigation Plans and are eligible applicants.
From The Nature Conservancy’s report: “Promoting Nature-Based Hazard Mitigation through FEMA Mitigation Grants.
Learn More!
To gain a better understanding for how HMA grants are a viable funding source for nature-based solutions to hazard mitigation, read The Nature Conservancy’s report, “Promoting Nature-Based Hazard Mitigation through FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grants.”
Watch this video with (@ timestamp: 3.00.00 ) Chelsea Morganti, New Mexico’s Hazard Mitigation Officer with the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management from the 2021 Wildland Urband Fire Summit.
Check out the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance webpage.
Reach out to Gabe Kohler, gabe@forestguild.org, with the Fire Adapted New Mexico learning network for support.