[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) [email protected].

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) 
[email protected].

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