NEWS RELEASE
Idaho Office of Emergency Management
For immediate release September 5, 2017
Contact: Elizabeth Duncan
(208) 258-6595 eduncan@imd.idaho.gov

Idaho Communities Encouraged to Apply for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grants

BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM), in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will be offering grants for projects aimed at building stronger, safer communities.

As a result of an August 27 presidential disaster declaration resulting from flooding, landslides and mudslides in May and June, funds will be available to local governments and other jurisdictions through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).

As the program administrator, IOEM says projects in the disaster-designated counties – Blaine, Camas, Custer, Elmore and Gooding – will be considered first. If available funds from those counties are not committed, IOEM will extend grant opportunities to entities throughout the state. IOEM will evaluate applications and then work with FEMA to award grants on a cost-sharing basis. FEMA provides 75 percent of the total costs, while the remaining 25 percent is the nonfederal share. FEMA obligates its share of the funds directly to the state, which awards the money to successful applicants.

Some examples of HMGP projects include elevating roads, bridges and other structures; adopting and developing standards and enforcing building codes; upsizing culverts to prevent clogging; and using geosynthetic materials to repair road sections to prevent washouts and increase durability.

Counties and jurisdictions that have identified projects and adopted mitigation plans are encouraged to review and identify potential hazard mitigation sites in communities and apply for funds under the HMGP grant program.

Interested applicants must file a Letter of Intent with IOEM by October 11 to Mitigation2017@imd.idaho.gov if they are planning to request funds for HMGP projects. Applications are due to IOEM by Jan. 11, 2018.

IOEM will provide an overview of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program at Applicant Briefings scheduled for the week of September 11 in the five designated counties.
Information about FEMA’s program is available at www.fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-grant-program.

 

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The Idaho Office of Emergency Management is a Division of the Idaho Military Division. The services we provide are to facilitate emergency management in Idaho, and to assist neighboring states. The men and women of this Division are dedicated to their mission of protecting the lives and property of the people of Idaho, as well as preserving the environmental and the economic health of Idaho.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

 

Original Release