(Brooksville, FL) The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) is pleased to announce the availability of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds as a result of the recent Presidential Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Idalia (FEMA 4734-DR-FL), which was declared on August 31, 2023.
Application Timeline: The application period will close April 30, 2024. The Division encourages potential applicants to submit complete applications before the close of the application period. Applications will only be accepted from eligible applicants as defined in the Minimum Program Eligibility section of this notice (NOFA DR-4734).
Eligible Applicants: According to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 44 §206.434(a), the following parties are eligible to apply for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds:
- State agencies
- Local governments who have an approved Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) in accordance with 44 CFR §201.6, prior to receipt of HMGP subgrant funding for projects.
- Private non-profit organizations or institutions that own or operate a private non-profit facility as defined in 44 CFR §206.221(e); and
- Indian tribes or authorized tribal organizations
However, pursuant to Rule 27P-22, Florida Administrative Code, all project applications must go through the Local Mitigation Strategy Working Group (LMSWG) of the county where the project will take place. Any application sent to the Division without a signed endorsement letter, from either the Chair or Vice-Chair of an LMSWG, will be denied. For more information regarding LMSWG, contact Hernando County Emergency Management at 352-754-4083.
Eligible Activities: Activities include mitigation projects that will result in protection of public or private property from natural hazards. Activities for which implementation has already been initiated or completed are not eligible for funding. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Acquisition (demolition or relocation) of existing at-risk structures.
- Aquifer (recharge, storage, and recovery) serve primarily as a drought management tool and reduce flood risk.
- Dry Floodproofing structures by sealing the structure to keep floodwaters out.
- Elevation of flood prone structures.
- Flood Risk Reduction (Localized or Non-localized) – lessen the frequency or severity of flooding.
- Generator for critical facilities or are an integral part of a larger eligible project.
- Infrastructure Retrofit modifications to the existing infrastructure to reduce or eliminate the risk of future damage and increase protection.
- Mitigation Reconstruction of properties that cannot be elevated.
- Safe Room to provide immediate life-safety protection from severe wind events.
- Secondary Power Source to increase power system resilience.
- Stabilization to reduce risk to structures/infrastructure from erosion.
- Structural Retrofit modifications addressing the structural element of a building/facility that are essential to increase protection.
- Wildfire Mitigation - at-risk structures and associated loss of life from the threat of future wildfires.
- Wind Retrofit modifications to the existing structure to reduce or eliminate the risk of future damage and increase protection.
Ineligible Activities: The state will not consider funding requests for the following:
- Construction of new facilities (Nevertheless, the cost associated with Code Plus upgrades to new facilities may be considered).
- Equipment such as emergency pumps, vehicles, and communication devices.
- Stand-alone studies, design, and planning-related activities, not directly related to the design and implementation of a proposed mitigation project.
- Tree removal, debris removal, and other forms of maintenance; or Projects already in progress (Construction may not begin until the contract between the State and subrecipient is executed and the project has met requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act).
Eligibility Criteria: All projects submitted must meet minimum criteria to be considered for funding. An eligible project must:
- Conform to the requirements stated in this Notice of Funding Availability.
- Conform to the Florida State Hazard Mitigation Plan and the respective community’s LMS.
- Conform to the funding priorities for the disaster, as established in the appropriate LMS.
- Demonstrate cost-effectiveness.
- Be technically feasible.
- Benefit the designated disaster area.
- Conform to all applicable environmental laws and regulations, as well as Executive Orders.
- Solve a problem independently or constitute a functional part of a solution.
- Benefit a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) participating community that is not on probation or suspended from the NFIP; and
- Meet all applicable State and local codes and standards.
For the full notice of funding availability that has additional details and conditions, please visit www.floridadisaster.org and click on the Mitigation link. Scroll down to Current HMGP Disaster Declarations and click on Hurricane Idalia. Or visit this link: HMGP Hurricane Idalia.
Terms and Conditions apply.
Or you may call Hernando County Emergency Management at 352-754-4083.
For the latest on preparedness, go to www.HernandoCounty.us/em
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