Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant (PDM)   57KB

           CFDA NO. 83.557

FEDERAL AGENCY:

Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security

OBJECTIVES:

To provide States and communities with a source of pre-disaster mitigation funding for cost-effective hazard mitigation activities that are part of a comprehensive mitigation program, and that reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage and destruction of property.  The principal purpose of the funds awarded under this grant is to implement mitigation projects that reduce the existing risk of natural hazard losses within the geographic location of the community.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Mitigation Projects (Structural or Non-Structural), Mitigation Plans, and Technical Assistance.

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

States are encouraged to use grants to implement a sustained pre-disaster hazard mitigation program to reduce risk to the population, the costs and disruption to individuals and businesses caused by severe property damage, and the ever-growing cost to all taxpayers of Federal disaster relief efforts.  The program is similar to both the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) in that there is an emphasis on "brick and mortar" mitigation projects and that State and local mitigation plans are required prior to approval of mitigation project grants.  Allowable costs will be governed by 44 CFR Part 13, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments, and OMB Circular A-87, Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments.  See the PDM-C fact sheet for a list of eligible and ineligible projects.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Funds are available to State, Local, and Tribal Governments.  In order for flood-prone communities to receive funds, applicants must be participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (if they have been mapped through the NFIP) and must be in good standing (not on probation or suspension).  State and local mitigation plans are required prior to approval of mitigation project grants after November 1, 2003.

APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Local jurisdictions apply for funding through the State.  Tribal governments can choose to apply for funding through the State or directly to FEMA.  FEMA will contribute up to 75 percent of the cost of activities approved for funding.  At least 25 percent of the total eligible costs will be provided from a non-federal source.  Cash and in-kind contributions are accepted as part of the non-federal matching share.  Except as allowed by Federal statute, no other Federal grant funds can be used as a match.  In compliance with Federal laws and executive orders, FEMA will conduct the final environmental review and approval for all funded activities.

FEMA has adopted the Environmental Protection Agency's definition for a Small and Impoverished Community, which must meet all of the following criteria: it must be a community of 3,000 or fewer individuals that is identified by the State as a rural community, and is not a remote area within the corporate boundaries of a larger city; it must be economically disadvantaged, with residents having an average per capita annual income not exceeding 80 percent of national per capita income, based on best available data; it must have a local unemployment rate that exceeds by one percentage point or more, the most recently reported, average yearly national unemployment rate; and, it must meet any other factors identified in the State Plan in which the community is located.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports: Grantees are required to submit quarterly financial and performance reports.  The grantee will also report the progress of each sub-grant award in their quarterly reports, per 44 CFR Part 13.40 and 41.  Reports are due 30 days after the end of each quarter.  Report dates are January 30, April 30, July 31, and October 30.  Final financial and performance reports are due 90 days after the expiration or termination of grant support, per 44 CFR Part 13.50.

Records: Records are not kept over 3 years.  However, 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 the State will need to retain real estate transaction and property tracking records indefinitely.  The State of New Mexico requires records to be kept for 6 years following the close out of the grant.

Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant (PDM)   57KB