Hazard Mitigation

What is Mitigation?

Hazard mitigation is any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to life and property from hazard events.  It is an on-going process that occurs before, during, and after disasters and serves to break the cycle of damage and repair in hazardous areas.  At a minimum, mitigation measures must be technically feasible, cost-effective and environmentally sound.  Current research shows that for every $1 spent on mitigation, an average of $6 is saved.

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and corresponding regulation - 44 CFR Part 201, require that state, local, tribal and territorial governments have a FEMA-approved mitigation plan in place in order to be eligible for mitigation project funding. 

DR-4694 (Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm). 

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) is pleased to announce the availability of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding for projects in: Erie, Genesee, Niagara, St. Lawrence and Suffolk Counties.  Hazard Mitigation Plan updates are open state-wide.  Subapplications are due to DHSES no later than August 30, 2023.  Please see the below Notice of Funding Opportunity for more details and subapplication packages.

DR-4694 HMGP Notice of Funding Opportunity

The Hazard Mitigation Team is happy to announce two (2) upcoming Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP-DR-4694) webinars to answer questions you may have while developing a subapplication to include eligibility of projects, Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) and any other questions you may have regarding the subapplication process.

Wednesday, July 26, 2023 11:00am – 12:00pm – Open to Questions/Answers (registration not required)

Join from the meeting link

https://meetny.webex.com/meetny/j.php?MTID=mcd61cd164cd891c68a8f7163b85228a8

Meeting number (access code): 1611 44 8688               

Meeting password: viRj3NJN9p4 

Join from a mobile device or by Phone
+1-518-549-0500,1611448688## 

Tuesday, August 15, 2023 1:00pm –2:00pm – Open to Questions/Answers (registration not required)

Join from the meeting link

https://meetny.webex.com/meetny/j.php?MTID=mdd8138e1413c6fab2edb273b769bad27

Meeting number (access code): 1612 61 8728

Meeting password: A6xZTuGXS63 

Join from a mobile device Or by Phone 
+1-518-549-0500,1612618728##    

SUBAPPLICATION PACKAGES

Planning Update Subapplication Package

Example Materials - Planning Update Subapplication Package

Project Scoping Subapplication Package

Project Subapplication Package

Acquisition-Demolition Subapplication Package

Elevation Subapplication Package

New York State’s (NYS) plan for the Hazard Mitigation State Revolving Loan Fund (HM RLF)

HM RLF program funds will be administered by the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES). DHSES oversees both programmatic oversight and fiscal administration of the HM RLF. The Intended Use Plan (IUP) outlines NYS’s priorities, policy, and evaluation criteria that DHSES will use to manage the program in 2023.

Background

The Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act became law on January 1, 2021. The STORM Act authorizes FEMA to provide capitalization grants for states, eligible federally recognized tribes, territories, and the District of Columbia, in turn who may make funding decisions and award loans directly to local communities. These revolving loan funds provide hazard mitigation assistance for local governments to reduce risks from natural hazards and disasters.

A Notice of Funding Opportunity “Fiscal Year 2023 Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund Program”, was published by FEMA on December 20, 2022 (Funding Opportunity Number: DHS-23-STORM-139-00-01). $50 million is being made available for this inaugural funding opportunity of the $500 million allocated for the new Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program.

Program Objectives

DHSES has established a set of priorities for the first year of the HM RLF program. Project priorities are:

1. Disadvantaged, underserved, and Socially Vulnerable (as defined below) areas proposing projects to foster resilience.
2. Non-federal cost share for existing hazard mitigation projects.
3. Mitigation projects that address the following:
   1. Localized flood risk reduction
   2. Social stabilization
   3. Infrastructure Retrofit
   4. Generators
4. Projects not eligible under other HMA grants due to not passing a benefit cost analysis.

Evaluating loan applications based on social, economic, and environmental vulnerability. Scoring criteria assesses loan applications using the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Social Vulnerability Index (SVI).

DHSES developed scoring criteria to evaluate loan applications based on alignment to the State Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). This helps prioritize projects in line with existing programs and priorities.

Availability of Financial Assistance from the Entity Loan Fund

DHSES has submitted an application to FEMA for $15.0 million of the $50 million available STORM Act funding

Each year, FEMA makes billions of mitigation dollars available through their annual recurring and Federally Declared Disaster mitigation grants.  To qualify for funding, all construction related activities must be determined cost effective through an approved FEMA Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) methodology.  This page focuses on how to download and utilize the approved FEMA BCA Toolkit v.6.0 to complete a BCA, which is required for the vast majority of construction related mitigation projects.

This page includes helpful webinars, tutorials, support materials, and links to the relevant FEMA BCA resources.  DHSES also encourages you to reach out to the BCA Technical Assistance team with any questions regarding how to get started, project eligibility, type of backup documentation required, or to have DHSES complete your initial BCA (procurement rules during open grant cycles apply).

As stated above, most projects will utilize the FEMA BCA Toolkit to complete their BCA, however, certain projects employ Precalculated Benefits.  Projects that have precalculated benefits include the buyout or elevation of flood prone or damaged homes, generators for hospital-type facilities, and 5% Initiative projects. To find out more information on these types of BCAs, please contact the DHSES BCA Technical Assistance Team. 

Request BCA Technical Assistance or Ask Mitigation Questions:

[email protected]

BCA Tutorials

BCA Tutorial – How to Access the BCA Toolkit

BCA Tutorial – Generator BCA Walkthrough

Webinars

BCA Webinar Spring 2022 (1)

BCA Webinar Spring 2022 (2)

BCA Webinar Spring 2022 (3)

Webinar Slides

BCA Webinar Slides Spring 2022 (1)

BCA Webinar Slides Spring 2022 (2)

BCA Webinar Slides Spring 2022 (3)

BCA Technical and Scientific Resources

BCA Technical Tools Links (pdf)

FEMA Resources Links

FEMA BCA Website: https://www.fema.gov/grants/tools/benefit-cost-analysis

BCA Reference Library: https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/benefit-cost-analysis/resources

How to Perform a Streamlined BCA: https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/benefit-cost-analysis/streamlined-bca

How to Perform a Full BCA: https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/benefit-cost-analysis/full-bca

Download the BCA Toolkit: https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/fema-bca-toolkit-60-installation-instructions

The federal government has transitioned from the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number. The UEI is now the only acceptable identifier for doing business with the federal government. All subapplicants applying for FEMA Mitigation Programs must obtain a UEI in order for NYS DHSES to transfer your grant funds to you. Directions for obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier or UEI can be found at SAM.gov. 

Please note:  If you do not currently have a UEI number, you should start the process of obtaining one immediately to ensure you are in possession of a UEI at the time of application. DHSES expects to announce these programs in August/September.

Hazard mitigation planning begins with state, tribal and local governments identifying natural disaster risks and vulnerabilities that are common in their area. After identifying these risks, they develop long-term strategies for protecting people and property from similar events. Hazard Mitigation plans are key to breaking the cycle of disaster damage and reconstruction.

The State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP) reduces risk to key state assets in the long term, and also provides local jurisdictions with critical information and guidance regarding the state’s risks, capabilities, priorities and action plans as they develop their own hazard mitigation plans.

In order for a State to be eligible to receive certain non-emergency disaster assistance, including FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs, Public Assistance funds (non-emergency permanent work), Fire Management Assistance Grants, and Rehabilitation of High-Hazard Potential Dam grants, a current FEMA approved SHMP is required.  FEMA requires SHMPs to be updated every five (5) years.  The NYS Hazard Mitigation Plan was last updated and approved by FEMA on December 17, 2018.  This was the first SHMP in the nation to use a web-based platform.  We are pleased to provide the link to our State Plan.

2019 New York State Hazard Mitigation Plan

While hazardous events cannot be prevented, Local Hazard Mitigation Plans (LHMPs) have proven to be an effective tool to reduce losses and enhance community resilience.  LHMPs are documents that aim to identify mitigation actions to be undertaken to increase community preparedness and resiliency, and decrease vulnerability in the event of a hazard.  A FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan is required for communities (subapplicants) interested in receiving FEMA’s grant funding for eligible mitigation projects.

As outlined in the all-hazard mitigation guidelines in 44 CFR Part 201.6, LHMPs can be prepared either by a single jurisdiction (e.g., a village, town or city) or by multiple jurisdictions working together.  LHMPs only become active after they are approved by FEMA and adopted by the jurisdiction (for multi-jurisdictional plans, adoption by one participant activates the FEMA approved plan).  Local plans must be reviewed, updated, and resubmitted for approval every five years.  Funding opportunities to update multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plans are available under the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs.

For more information: FEMA Planning Requirements for HMA Grants

Please Note:  NYS DHSES developed additional hazard mitigation planning standards (see Hazard Mitigation Planning Resources below) to augment those required by FEMA. After October 15, 2012, these will be "required actions" for any hazard mitigation plan developed with funds administered by NYS DHSES and will be part of all contracts executed with grant recipients.  All grantees are strongly encouraged to include this information in their "Request for Proposals" and to provide it to their consultants before planning begins in earnest.