Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

WHAT’S NEW IN

MITIGATIONBIG CHANGES in the

FEMA HMA Grant Programs

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Biggert-Waters Reducing insurance subsidies on National Floodplain Insurance Program (NFIP) policies with higher risksCombine SRL and RFC grant programs into FMA For HMGP - Only projects in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) require NFIP participation – no change

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 (SRIA)

Signed by the President in January 2013

Designed to speed up, streamline, and reduce the cost of Federal disaster recovery programs.

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

• Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households

• Public Assistance• Hazard Mitigation• Fire Management Assistance Grants

(FMAGs)

Disaster Relief Fund (DRF)Provides Funding For FEMA:

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

FEMA & State Mitigation Grant Programs

FY 2014Flood

Protection Planning

Flood Mitigation Assistance

Texas Water Developmen

tBoard

Texas Division of EmergencyManagemen

t

Pre-Disaster

Mitigation

Hazard Mitigation

Grant Program

FLOOD GRANTS

ALL HAZARD GRANTS

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Congressional Focus

1. Financial Responsibility2. Expedite Program Activity3. Idle funding4. Controversial Projects 5. Justification of the

Program

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

CONGRESSIONAL ISSUES AND FEMA ISSUES –

ARE YOUR ISSUESBECAUSE….

YOUR FUNDING DEPENDS ON FEMA APPROVAL!!!

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

FACT - Disasters are becoming more frequent and costly

1. 2011 – 99 presidential, 29 emergency (47 states), 114 F-MAG’s – $7.5 billion

2. 2012 – Sandy alone – 11 states – over $2.2 billion so far

3. Money is tight and must address this demand

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Congressional Direction to FEMA

Here is the money this time --- BUT - FOCUS ON OUR ISSUES

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

FEMA GOT BUSY

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

New FEMA Attitude

JUSTIFY THE PROGRAM TO CONGRESS

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

1. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

FEMA DEVELOPS A MONETARY CONTROL PROCESS –

STRATEGIC FUNDS MANAGEMENT (SFM)

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Monthly estimate of required funding planned a year in advance for:

•New grant approvals

• Cost overrunsNOTE: the spend plan also provides

funding obligations in smaller increments on LARGER projects

SFM TOOL FEMA SPEND PLAN

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

THE FEMA SPEND PLAN

FEMA National is already requiring justification for failure to meet the monthly spend plan

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

1. The Federal fiscal year begins in

October

2. DRF – Immediate Needs Funding (INF) Emergency operations only

SPEND PLAN IMPACTS

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Project application budgets:• Estimate OUT - documentation is in –

EXPECT HIGHER SCRUTINY• Vocabulary matters!!!!• Application continuity• More specific Pre-Award breakdowns • Cost overruns more difficult

COST BREAKDOWN REVIEW

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

1.Money on the street faster2.Shorten the review process3.Shorter Period of

Performance

2. CONGRESS WANTS EXPEDITED PROGRAM

ACTIVITIES

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

NEW RFI GUIDANCEFEMA RFI Deadlines:

• Mitigation specialist – 30 day• Branch Chief – 15 day• Regional Administrator – 30 day• Denial -> Appeal

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

• Complete well documented applications• Higher level of sub-recipient monitoring on POP• Closer monitoring of approved cost line items

SUB-APPLICANT ACTIVITIES

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

• FY 2011 FEMA began an aggressive recovery of “idle” funds

• Be prepared to implement your project or loose your funding

• Faster closeouts of old disasters

3. IDLE FUNDING

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

• Protect Congress from black-eyes• Updates to FEMA 361• The most restrictive

interpretation of regulation and guidance• Additional OMB review at LPN

4. Controversy

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

5. Justification

FEMA wants proof that all projects are effective in every way

Congress wants program justification

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Every number and statement must have acceptable supporting documentation!

Justification

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

HMGP Generator Changes

• Stand alone REGULAR projects if protecting a critical facility• Portable generators become eligible under 5% (HMGP only)

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Planning Grant Changes

Mitigation Planning Grants:

• Mitigation Plan

• Related planning activities

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

BCA• FEMA module

• Standard values • Benefit cost analysis now

allows aggregated benefits from multiple activities and hazards.

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Engineering Changes

Streamlining – engineering designs certified by Registered Professional Engineers as meeting an identified code satisfy engineering and technical feasibility issues

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Acquisition Changes • Ineligible projects now include

the acquisition of unimproved land

• CBRA and OPA are now eligible in HMGP

• BCA’s of .75 can now add environmental and riparian benefits

• Pre-market or current market value at applicants discretion

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

POP ChangesThis is HUGE!

FEMA can set POP for annual grants (2013 PDM – 24 months)

HMGP is 36 months from application deadline

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

SUMMARY

BIG changes in:•Program intensity•Project quality•Documentation•Timelines•Funding oversight

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

TDEM + TWDB + sub-applicant + FEMA

must become a TEAM to be successful!

Texas Department of Public SafetyDIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

QUESTIONS?

Hildy SoperTexas Division of Emergency ManagementMitigation Officer(512) 424-2454hildy.soper@dps.texas.gov